“Listen more than you talk. Confidence is important but humility will take you further, especially early in your career.”

Introduced to the industry by a mentor, Aileen BeVard was initially struck by the sheer scale of the equipment finance sector. With a strong background in economics and finance, she entered the industry bringing both analytical expertise and a broad perspective shaped by her early experience as a sales representative and an international internship, which offered insight into how global organizations operate.

Over time, Bevard came to see her role as a critical driver of dealer success. Over the past 12 to 18 months, BeVard has been especially proud of how her persistence and credibility have translated into greater trust and expanded responsibility. As an example, earlier in her career, she stepped into a long-established account manager role following the retirement of a highly respected colleague. Building relationships quickly in that environment required preparation, humility and consistent follow-through. Leading with a listening-first approach, BeVard remained committed to working through challenges until solutions served both partners and the business. Through that consistency and persistence, she established credibility and earned increased responsibility.

BeVard describes her leadership style as collaborative, firm and curious. She prioritizes listening, continuous learning and asking thoughtful questions, while focusing decisions on achieving the best outcome rather than relying on long-held assumptions.

Looking ahead, she believes the industry must continue developing talent that is curious, adaptable and willing to challenge traditional practices — qualities she sees as essential to keeping the industry relevant and resilient.