Whether or not you identify as diverse, we invite you to join us at the 2023 ELFA Equity Forum – the first forum of its kind for the equipment finance industry!
This event is designed for people who identify as diverse, or as an ally. It will spark new ideas and provide inspiration and tools to help you move forward and thrive in your professional career. If you’re looking for a comfortable place to meet other people like yourself, learn tips on how to succeed as a diverse person, think about ways to recruit other diverse people to the equipment finance industry, be an outstanding ally or build your professional network, this event is for you.
Whether you see yourself as being diverse or as an ally, whether you are early in your career or have worked many years, we encourage you to participate.
ELFA Members: Get a discount when you register for Equity Forum and either the Lease Accountants or Operations and Technology Conference. For questions contact Janet Fianko at
jfianko@elfaonline.org.
Choose a Package
Who Should Attend?
This event is open to all DEI categories and allies. Our goal is to provide a forum to discuss strategies that can influence corporate social responsibility and broaden cross-cultural understanding. There is no limit on the number of attendees.
Get Maximum Exposure for Your Company…Become a Sponsor!
Align your brand with the best in the industry! Expand your commitment, influence, and visibility to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Sponsoring this important event provides excellent exposure for your company. See the next page for details and contact Steve Wafalosky at stevew@cvmpmedia.com or (440) 247-1060 for more information.
Registration Fees
| Price Description |
Amount |
| Attendee - Member Price |
$295.00 |
| Complimentary Sponsor Registration |
$0.00 |
| Conference Speaker |
$295.00 |
| Equity Committee Member |
$295.00 |
| Speaker Package |
$295.00 |
View cancellation and other policies
Available Functions
| Wednesday - September 13 |
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Buddy Assignment
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Dietary Restictions
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| 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm |
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People Power Reception
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| 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm |
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Dine Around
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| Thursday - September 14 |
| 6:30 am - 7:15 am |
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Fun Run/Walk
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Speakers
Jon Gerson
President
Executive Solutions for Leasing and Finance, LLC
Jon Gerson is President of Executive Solutions, a second generation Executive Search firm that has focused exclusively on the commercial equipment leasing & finance industry since 1990. He first joined Executive Solutions in 2004 while on sabbatical from Rutgers University. He finished his degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rutgers while working full time as an executive recruiter.
Executive Solutions provides Talent Solutions for all functional roles and levels of seniority in equipment leasing for bank owned equipment finance firms, captives, independents, brokers, and everything in between. In addition, ESLF provides consulting services including on compensation plans, interview structures, and general business strategy.
Jon is an active member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, serving on the Emerging Talent Advisory Council since 2017, the membership committee starting in 2013 and the Service Provider Business Council Steering committee off and on since 2012. He has also presented several times at the ELFA annual conference.
Jon lives in Atlanta with his wife Jessica, their daughter, and too many pets.
Tanisha Gordon-Flowers
Senior Manager, US_Can Technology Finance Partners
Cisco Systems Capital Corporation
Svetlana Kralik CLFP
Credit Administration Officer, VP
U.S. Bank
Lana joined the Equipment Finance industry right after her graduation from Portland State University. During her time with U.S. Bank Equipment Finance, her skills have been put to the test. In her first role, Lana was instrumental in developing and implementing operational procedures geared towards improving and streamlining documentation processes to eliminate bottlenecks, increase speed to market and improve process flow within the department. She also handled multimillion-dollar contract documentation, negotiations, funding, and auditing for compliance with internal policies and external regulations. In her current role, Lana manages a team of underwriters, reviews and approves large ticket credit requests from borrowers within the healthcare and manufacturing industry.
Outside of work, Lana enjoys spending time with her active 12-year old son exploring Pacific Northwest. She is also an active traveler and gardener. Lana was born in Russia and her husband in the Czech Republic, so they split their vacation time between the two counties.
Kelli Nienaber
Executive Director
Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation
Kelli Nienaber is the Executive Director of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation in Washington, DC. Having been in this role since 2011, she is the primary conduit to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and volunteer governance committees. She oversees the business and staff of the Foundation, which propels the $1 trillion equipment finance sector—and its people—forward with its industry-specific knowledge, intelligence, and programs. Through free studies, internships, and Guest Lecture opportunities, the Foundation helps industry professionals navigate the changes coming up and make better business and personal career decisions.
Prior to the Foundation, Kelli’s career was focused in the government relations/political arena. She has successfully managed political involvement and grassroots campaigns, as well as developed and executed federal and state legislative strategy in corporate and trade association organizations. She began her professional career in the public sector working for former U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) both in his Washington, DC office and in her home state of Missouri.
Kelli holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is an active volunteer serving on non-profit Boards in her community. Kelli and her husband Brian reside in Alexandria, VA with their four children.
Stuart Papavassiliou
Copywriter
LEAF Commercial Capital Inc.
George Parker
Co-Chief Executive Officer
VenSource Capital LLC
George is the Co-CEO and co-founder of VenSource Capital LLC, a national provider of equipment financing for emerging venture capital-sponsored startups.Before joining VenSource Capital, George held key roles:
Co-founder and CFO of Leasing Technologies International, Inc.; VP-Treasurer at DPF Computer Leasing Corp; Management positions in commercial lending at Continental Illinois National Bank & Trust Company
His educational background includes an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill and a BS from Wake Forest University. He resides in New Rochelle, NY, and has actively contributed to the community as a big brother with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Westchester, NY, and as a board member of the St. Bernard?s Center for Learning.
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Eboni Preston-Laurent
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
Reid Raykovich CAE, CLFP
CEO
Certified Lease & Finance Professional Foundation (CLFP)
Michael Rothe
President & Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Finance & Leasing Association
Sean Scampton
Director of Sales & Marketing
Leasepath
Sean Scampton
Director of Sales & Marketing
Leasepath
Sean Scampton
Director of Sales & Marketing
Leasepath
DelRoy Stauffer CLFP
VP, Sales
Odessa
Derek Vander Linden
Strategic Projects Business Analyst
Hotel Information
A block of rooms is being held for attendees of the 2023 Equity Forum at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 at a discounted rate of $229 +tax. Check in time is 3:00 pm and check-out time is 11:00 am.
We strongly encourage you to make your hotel reservations online. Please go to this link to register online: https://book.passkey.com/e/50489033
Getting There
The Sheraton New Orleans is 13 miles from the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Approximate cost from the airport to the Sheraton New Orleans is approximately $36.00 one-way with a Taxi and $24.00 one-way via airport shuttle.
Public Transportation
Avoid traffic by utilizing public transit to and from the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Bus service to Downtown New Orleans from the airport is available via the Jefferson Transit Authority (JET) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). Bus service is available from the outer curb outside Level 3 Ticket Lobby.
For more information regarding bus transportation, please visit the New Orleans International Airport web page regarding public transportation https://flymsy.com/public-transportation/.
Parking
Limited self-parking is available at the hotel for $62.00 per day as a hotel guest and valet parking is available for $75.00 per day.
Things To Do
From the front door of the Sheraton New Orleans, it’s a matter of deciding what to do - you are in the center of it all! From shopping to restaurants, culture, arts and entertainment to the famed Bourbon Street - there’s so much to do for everyone!
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
500 Canal St
New Orleans, LA 70130
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