Ashton Bennett

Director of Operations, FSW Funding

Ashton Bennett is the director of operations at FSW Funding where she manages the asset-based and factoring portfolio. She is responsible for implementing and driving efficiencies, reducing areas of risk, and maintaining client relationships. In this role, she leads a team of portfolio analysts who manage the day-to-day client relationships and portfolio monitoring for a wide range of asset-based lending transactions. Ashton started with FSW in May 2017 as a portfolio analyst while finishing her undergraduate degree in finance and economics at Grand Canyon University.

Most recently, Ashton’s attention to detail and problem solving was instrumental as FSW converted the factoring and loan portfolio to a new SaaS platform. She managed the 9-month project and was responsible for automating many of the operational processes, which have since increased productivity and efficiency.

Ashton also started FSW Pays It Forward, which was created to support local organizations that keep communities strong, diverse, and vibrant. FSW Pays It Forward is committed to making a difference in Arizona through volunteering, fundraising, and donations. Ashton organizes team events to raise money for local charities.  Ashton is an active member of Women in Secured Finance and SFNet Young Professionals. 

What advice would you offer to women just starting out in the industry? 

For women just starting in the industry, focus on learning as much as you can in the beginning and then, when possible, seek out more responsibility. It can be easy to become complacent in a role, to merely focus on given tasks and nothing else, but that can quickly lead to burning out. Real professional growth is active and gradual. It takes place by consistently going above and beyond the standards, thereby differentiating yourself from those around you. There will always be opportunities to learn more, which means there will always be opportunities to grow. That is why I suggest assigning yourself professional goals and writing them in a journal. Then revisit them throughout the year to ensure you remain on track, holding yourself accountable. It’s the small steps that you take early in a career that set the tone for your future.

What role has mentoring played in your career?

Finding the right mentor, someone that you respect and trust, is critical to your professional development. There will be difficult times throughout your career. You will be uncertain how to make the right choice. Lean on your mentor in those moments. Share openly with that person. Ask for help when it is needed. That is what I have with my mentor and it has been invaluable. She inspires me both professionally and personally. I can honestly say that I would not be at this point in my career without her today.

How do you balance work/personal time?

Finding the right balance will be different for everyone and finding it will be one of the biggest challenges you face. You may have a desire to solely work harder and longer hours to differentiate yourself from those around you. That’s understandable. But also understand that choice comes at the sacrifice of your personal growth. Both professional and personal development must happen for you to advance in your career. Just find the right balance. Find activities that allow the opportunity to decompress from the stressors inherent to our work, while also challenging you as an individual. For example, I participate in CrossFit because it challenges me both physically and mentally. And the same can be said for running, which I either do outside with friends and colleagues or on my home treadmill. Both have proved to be useful outlets for everyday stress.  

How can commercial finance organizations attract and retain more women?

It is our responsibility, as women, to help develop and encourage other women for future success. We need to mentor young women at the workplace, engage with them in the classroom, and create discussions with them on social media. Right now, there are opportunities to mentor young women in our industry. We need to take advantage of that. We need to be active in organizations, like SFNet, that allow us to connect with one another for advice and leadership. We need to connect with universities where we can provide internships, shaping the careers of young women. The more exposure women receive early in their careers, the better their development will be. If we are there for each other, each of us will find success in our own way.