ELFA - Equipment Leasing and Finance Association - Equipping Business for Success

Women's Leadership Forum

April 11 - April 12, 2022
The Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, IL

Women's Leadership Forum

April 11 - April 12, 2022
The Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, IL

Women's Leadership Forum

April 11 - April 12, 2022

The Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, IL



Please note: Online registration is now closed, but you may register on-site in Chicago

Leadership Development for Women at All Stages of an Equipment Finance Career

The ELFA Women’s Leadership Forum will feature dynamic speakers, hot-topic sessions and interactive networking opportunities. You’ll leave the Forum with valuable insights and powerful tools to enhance your career.

  • Grow your leadership skills
  • Improve your professional performance
  • Build relationships and make new connections

This special event, hosted by the ELFA Women’s Council, is designed to spark new ideas and provide inspiration and tools to help you move forward and thrive.

Who Should Attend?

The Forum is open to women and allies, including both seasoned talent and emerging talent. There is no limit on the number of attendees.

New This Year

New this year, ELFA is offering a discounted first-time attendee fee of $495. Please download the brochure or login to view member and non-member pricing.


Registration Fees

Price Description Amount
Committee Member $495.00
ELFA Members $725.00
First Time Attendee $495.00
Non Member $1450.00
Speaker $495.00

View cancellation and other policies

Available Functions

  Dine Around - Community Table Dinner Group

Speakers

Mary Abbajay

President
Careerstone Group


Mary Abbajay, author of the best-selling Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss is the president of Careerstone Group, LLC, a full service organizational and leadership development consultancy that delivers leading-edge talent and organizational development solutions to business and government.

As a sought-after author, speaker, consultant, and trainer, Mary helps clients develop the strategies, skills and sensibilities needed for success in the 21st century. Her expertise lies in helping clients create dynamic and productive workplaces that foster professional and personal excellence and growth. In short, she is committed to creating workplaces where both the organization and the individual can flourish.

Mary Abbajay brings over 20 years of leadership experience, a master’s degree in Organizational Management, and post-graduate certificates from Georgetown University and the Coaches Training Institute. In addition to being an entrepreneur and consultant, Mary has served as adjunct faculty at George Mason University’s School of Management and has taught at both Montgomery College and the Georgetown University Center for Professional Development.

Mary is a frequent expert contributor for television, radio and print publications where she provides practical leadership and career advice. In addition to her role as a Forbes.com contributor, her work and advice have appeared in the New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Forbes, The Financial Times, Money, Southwest Airlines Magazine, Monster, and the BBC.

Mary currently serves on the Greater Washington Market President’s Board of BB&T Bank and is a past Chairman of the Board for Leadership Greater Washington where she has chaired and led the adult Signature program, the Youth Leadership Program and the Rising Leaders Program. She was a volunteer mentor for Mentor’s Inc., an urban youth mentoring program and served for six years on the Board of Directors of the Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Mary was the co-owner of the Toledo Lounge and Crush Nightclub in Adams Morgan.

In 2010, Mary was named as one of Washington Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business and was a Smart CEO Brava Award recipient in 2017.

Melissa Donaldson

Senior Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer
Wintrust Capital


Melissa Donaldson is the first chief diversity officer at Wintrust, where she partners with leadership to establish diversity and inclusion strategies for business success, employee engagement, and positioning Wintrust as an employer of choice and responsible corporate citizen. She established the ubiquitous One Wintrust masthead as a unifying guidepost, established the annual executive diversity forum assembling internal top executives, and launched Paired to Win to accelerate the development of a multicultural senior leadership bench. Known among practitioners as iconic in the diversity, equity and inclusion space, Melissa served as director of diversity networks and communication for Walgreens, and CDW’s first director of inclusion practices. Her leadership resulted in CDW earning the Exemplary Voluntary Efforts Award from the U.S. Department of Labor in 2008, and spearheading the award-winning Walgreens Diversity & Inclusion Annual Report, establishing regional diversity councils nationwide, and creating the inaugural WBA Global Executive Women’s Conference.


Crain’s Chicago Business named Melissa one of the Top Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Executives in 2021. She has published work in Profiles in Diversity Journal, Diversity Executive, and Workforce Management magazines and is a frequent speaker for numerous organizations and conferences, including the Northwestern Intersections podcast and Career Mix on SiriusXM satellite radio. Other accolades include Diversity Woman Magazine Elite 100 Black Women Leaders, Chicago United Business Leaders of Color, Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Diversity Executives, Crain’s Chicago Business Most Influential Women in Commercial Banking, Women Worth Watching by Profiles in Diversity Journal, and Diversity Officer Leadership Award recipient from Diversity Best Practices.


Melissa holds Master of Science in Communication from Northwestern University, Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and Bachelor of Science in Management Science from Wright State University. She is a guest lecturer at Northwestern University, and serves on a variety of boards and councils including Chicago Sinfonietta, Skills for Chicagoland’s Future, Financial Services Pipeline Steering Committee Co-Chair, Chicago United Leadership Council, and UCAN Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council. Melissa is a Leadership Greater Chicago Daniel Burnham Fellow, and holds membership in the Economic Club of Chicago, and The Links, Inc.

Jennifer Fanz

Vice President of Sales, US Healthcare
PEAC Solutions


Jennifer Fanz, equipment leasing and finance industry veteran, is a results-focused Senior Commercial Leader with 20+ years of sales experience, effective relationship management and demonstrated success in the financial services industry. She is well versed in sales, strategic planning, business development, team leadership and leadership development. She has effectively leveraged people, processes, relationships and culture to build high-performing teams, exceed targets and encourage individual and team growth through diversity of thought to drive bottom-line results.

Jennifer has also devoted time as a certified facilitator focused on sales effectiveness and leadership development. She is passionate about her role as an equipment leasing industry mentor and coach. She has held roles focused on organizational health and employee development, and she is both an advocate and ally for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a focus in Management from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Camden. She is an active member of ELFA, with prior service on the ELFA Emerging Talent Advisory Council. She currently serves as Past Chair of the ELFA Women?s Council and has previously served as sub-committee Chair for the ELFA Women?s Leadership Forum from 2019 through 2022. Jennifer has also helped launch various corporate ERGs supporting both female and ethnically diverse employee groups.

At home, she spends time as a wife, mom, dog-mom, sister, daughter, somewhat decent cook and lover of plants and her garden. She sometimes appreciates her Peloton, but also has a fondness for bread and wine. She continues to strive for work-life integration, although she is admittedly a work in progress.

Elise Holtzman JD, PCC

President
The Lawyer's Edge


Elise Holtzman is a passionate advocate for women’s advancement. A former practicing attorney and certified executive coach, Elise is the founder of The Lawyer’s Edge, which helps organizations grow thriving businesses by helping executives and professionals become better business developers and leaders.

In addition to providing consulting, training, and coaching for her clients, Elise speaks frequently for organizations and women’s groups such as women’s initiatives, ABA Women Rainmakers, the NJ Women Lawyers Association, and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). She writes articles on leadership, business development, and career advancement and is the host of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast. usinesses by helping executives and professionals become better business developers and leaders.

When Elise isn’t working, she is probably hanging out with her family in New Jersey, kayaking, hiking, watching police procedurals, wrestling with a ridiculously difficult Sudoku puzzle, or trying to get better at the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Neonu Jewell JD, MBA, MDiv

Social Justice, DEI, and Interreligious Engagement Consultant
Christmas Jewell LLC


Neonu is committed to creating positive transformation in the world. Her mission is to engage, educate, and empower people through academic scholarship and practical approaches for equity, inclusion, social justice, and interreligious engagement.

Neonu has over 20 years of research, academic study, facilitation, legal, and corporate experience. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University, focusing on interreligious engagement and the intersection of race, law, and religion in U.S. Black Freedom Movements.

She is the founder of two social enterprises: Christmas Jewell Consulting, a management consulting firm, and Niyah Center, an interfaith, empowerment, and social justice community. Neonu has empowered thousands through DEI workshops, strategic planning, personal development, career coaching, transformational leadership training, organizational change management, interreligious ministry, and public speaking.

She launched her legal career as a corporate and international trade compliance attorney at Thompson Hine LLP in Washington, D.C. She subsequently served as International Trade Counsel at Accenture, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon and later as General Counsel of EXCEL Management Systems.

In addition, Neonu is a Critical Race Theory Fellow at the African American Policy Forum, a board member of the Omega Institute, and a member of the American Academy of Religion.

Neonu has a J.D. from Georgetown University Law School, an M.B.A. and a B.S. in Business Administration from Florida A & M University (FAMU), and a Master’s in Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. She is the author of "Equal Pay Act" in the Georgetown Journal of Gender and the Law.

Zack Marsh CLFP

SVP – Accounting & Analysis
AP Equipment Financing


Mr. Marsh has spent over twenty-four years in the small business lending space. A graduate of Washington State University, Zack began working for a small ticket equipment lessor where he helped design and build analytical tools for the portfolio management team. Soon after that he joined a startup portfolio servicing company where he then spent the next twenty years building and managing the accounting, finance, and analytics functions (as well as many other areas) of that organization. Then in 2023, Mr. Marsh began a new chapter of his career when he joined AP Equipment Financing. His current role provides AP with a strategic leader focusing on the finance and analytics functions of the company.

Zack is active within the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and he currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (ELFF). Mr. Marsh has also served as Vice Chair & Treasurer/Secretary of the ELFF, Chair of the Academic Outreach Committee, Chair of the Emerging Talent Advisory Council and as a member of the Small Ticket Business Council Steering Committee. He obtained his Certified Leasing & Finance Professional (CLFP) credentials in 2004. Zack lives with his wife and three kids in Sumner, WA where they take time away to enjoy skiing, golf, and camping.

Rhonda Miele

Global Program Manager, Commercial Academy
DLL


Rhonda Vitale-Miele is a certified international coach and HR Leader offering more than 30 years of experience in strategy development, culture and change management, and organizational consulting across the Finance, Healthcare, and Entertainment industries. Specializing in Learning and Development and with a keen interest in behavioral psychology, Rhonda’s passion ignites participants in the many workshops she designs and delivers to members in more than 30 countries across the globe. Outside work, she volunteers a portion of her time to artists in recovery and enjoys traveling (especially to the beach) with her daughter, Samantha.

Rhonda is currently a Global Leader and Program Manager for the Commercial Academy, having been employed with DLL for more than 20 years.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-vitale-miele-2014641/  

Ralph Petta



Ralph Petta is the President and CEO of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), the premier trade association representing 550+ member organizations in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector. Mr. Petta leads the organization in executing its mission to foster business development, deliver industry information and analysis, provide educational opportunities and advocate for the industry. He is also President of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, which is dedicated to inspiring thoughtful innovation and contributing to the betterment of the equipment leasing and finance industry.

Mr. Petta, an authority in the business of equipment finance, has been with the association since 1987. Before assuming the role of President and CEO in January 2016, he served as Chief Operating Officer for six years, providing coordination, direction and oversight of ELFA programs and services designed to add value to the association's member organizations. Prior to that, he served as Interim President. From 1987 to 2010 he was Vice President-Research & Industry Services, managing ELFA's information, benchmarking and market research initiatives. Throughout his career at ELFA, Mr. Petta has assumed leadership roles in virtually all functional areas within the organization, including governance, membership marketing, communications, business and professional development, state advocacy and the association's affiliated Foundation.

He is often quoted in industry trade publications and is a frequent speaker about the role of equipment finance in the U.S. economy and trends and developments in the equipment finance sector.

Mr. Petta is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), as well as ASAE's Key Industry Association Committee (KIAC). He completed the ASAE/University of Maryland College of Business and Management executive development certificate program in association management. He also was selected for and participated in the ASAE Future Leaders Conference. Mr. Petta is a member of the Exchequer Club of Washington, DC.

Before joining ELFA, Mr. Petta worked for nine years in the office of United States Senator Sam Nunn, serving in a variety of professional capacities. He was Senator Nunn's legislative assistant when he left to join the association. Mr. Petta graduated from Syracuse University, earning a B.A. degree in political science.

Nancy Pistorio CLFP

President
Madison Capital LLC


Nancy Pistorio, a Certified Lease and Finance Professional (CLFP) with over 30 years of experience in commercial equipment and transportation finance, is the president of Madison Capital, LLC, Owings Mills, Maryland.                           

She provides strategic leadership and oversight for the company’s direct financing services and vendor-finance solutions offered throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. Businesses served may be in construction, retail, transportation, or landscaping, or they may be customers of community banks, manufacturers or dealers relying upon Madison’s 40 years of expertise as a lease financing partner.  

Nancy began her career in equipment financing when she joined Harbor Equipment Leasing in 1986. When Harbor merged with Fox Valley Vehicle Leasing in 1997 to form Madison Capital, Nancy became a partner and Vice President.  Subsequently, she became the firm’s Executive Vice President, a position she held for 11 years before being named President in early 2017.

Well-regarded as a leader in her industry, she has held numerous elected positions in the industry’s primary trade groups. In 2017, she was named to the board of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (ELFF) as a Trustee. After serving as Treasurer and, subsequently, Vice Chair, she was honored to be elected as its first female Chair in 2022. Nancy also served on the Independent Middle Market Business Council Steering Committee and the Small Ticket Business Council of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA). From 2005 – 2007, she served as the first female president of the Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors, the predecessor to today’s National Equipment Finance Association, where she was a member of the Board of Directors in 2010.

Nancy has served on the board of the CLFP Foundation, the primary certifying body which promotes education and professional standards of conduct in the equipment leasing industry. She also served on the ELFA’s Fair Business Practices Committee. Nancy has been featured in industry trade articles in the Monitordaily, Leasing News and Equipment Leasing & Finance Magazine and today can be found on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Before launching her career in financial services, she earned an AA in Business Administration from the Harrisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania.

Nancy has two sons and resides in Baltimore, Maryland.

Christy Riegert

Senior Consultant
Consult Disrupt LLC


Christy Riegert has been involved in the Equipment Finance industry for over 20 years, serving in many roles both in the Business and Technology. She is currently the Founder of Riegert Coaching, specializing in Business and Digital Transformations. Christy is also a certified Yoga instructor including Meditation and Reiki Healing.

Eileen Schoonmaker

President and General Manager


Eileen is U.S. President and General Manager for DLL Financial Services, overseeing the operations and business for the Health Care, Clean Tech, Tech Solutions, Advanced Solution, Office Equipment and Commercial Finance business units.

Eileen is a human-centric, transformational leader and respected industry expert with more than 35 years of experience in vendor finance. Since joining DLL in 2000, she has held multiple senior leadership roles including SVP Operations, SVP & Manager of Business Information and U.S. Chief Operating Officer.  Eileen was the first DLL US country manager with P&L responsibility for a $10B portfolio.     

She has also successfully implemented several transformative initiatives that are integral to how the company has operated and continues to remain an industry leader. She can be credited with helping evolve the DLL business model and advancing how business systems are managed to always be focused on delivering a great customer experience.  In 2020 she became the Head of DLL/NewCo where she successfully launched DLL's first fully digital, end-to-end self-service platform for partners. She was also a key contributor to the design and launch of multiple U.S. Customer Engagement Hubs designed to offer improved customer experiences for DLL partners. 

Eileen co-chairs DLL's Executive Inclusion Council and is a member of the ELFA captive and vendor finance business council steering committee.

Eileen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Finance from Stockton University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School's Executive Education Program. 

Sponsors

Forum Location
The 2022 ELFA Women’s Leadership Forum will be held at the Hilton Palmer House in Chicago, located at 17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL in the popular theatre and financial district of Chicago and near Millennium Park. This historic property has hosted legendary entertainers, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte, Louis Armstrong, and Liberace. Follow in the star-studded footsteps as the ELFA 2022 Women's Leadership Forum presents at the Hilton Palmer House!

Hotel Information
A block of rooms is being held for attendees of the 2022 Women’s Leadership Forum at the Hilton Palmer House. A special conference rate of $239 plus tax, single/double occupancy, is offered to attendees. Check in time is 3:00pm, and check-out time is 11:00am. To receive the discounted rate, please use the web link below or call the hotel reservation line at (312) 726-7500.

Online Hotel Reservations
You may reserve your hotel room online through the customized reservations link at: https://book.passkey.com/go/ELFA2022WomensLeadership22.

Make Hotel Reservations by Friday, March 18, 2022! Reservations after this date are based on availability and may be at a higher rate. If you would also like to attend a Best Practices Roundtable or the Annual National Funding Conference, you will need to make separate reservations and contact our personal hotel contact, Jennifer Marszewski at Jennifer.Marszewski@hilton.com for assistance.

Getting There
The Hilton Palmer House is located in the popular theatre and financial district of Chicagoland. Approximately 18 miles from Chicago-O’Hare International Airport, 11 miles from Chicago Midway Airport.

If renting a car, the Hilton Palmer House has valet parking and self-parking from $47 per day.

Visiting by Metro - When taking public transportation from O'Hare International Airport, take the Blue Line train to Monroe/Dearborn stop. Take Monroe east to the hotel. The Palmer House is on the south side of the street. From Midway Airport, take the Orange Line from Midway to downtown. Get off at the Adams/Wabash stop. The Palmer House is located on the west side of Wabash Avenue.

For additional transportation information, please visit the hotel website at Hilton Palmer House Transport.

The Palmer House Hilton
17 East Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603

Get directions

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