Essa Thiry

Senior Vice President, Business Development, Change Capital

40 Under 40 Category: Business Development

Essa Thiry is senior vice president of business development at Change Capital, a New York and Los Angeles-based short-term lender and investor with a focus on profitable social impact.  She joined Change Capital 3.5 years ago, launched a new territory on the west coast, single-handedly established a strong presence in the region, and grew the customer base from next to zero to dozens of clients and millions of dollars in financing in a very short time period. Prior to joining Change Capital, Essa was a business development executive for Hana Financial, a large ABL and factoring provider in Los Angeles. In May of 2021, she was profiled in The Secured Lender Magazine’s Women In Secured Finance Issue.

Essa is an active committee member for Face Forward International, a non-profit focused on providing life-changing surgery and support to victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and cruel acts of crime.  She also serves as executive vice president of the Fashion and Retail Group of City of Hope, an organization that provides research and medical care for cancer patients throughout the country.  

Essa is an active member of SFNet, serves on the board of the New York Institute of Credit’s Women’s Division, is an International Factoring Association SoCal Chapter board member and Women’s Committee head, a member of the Turnaround Management Association, the Association for Corporate Growth, and other commercial finance industry organizations.  

What is your definition of success? 

My definition of success is living by your values.  It’s going to bed at night knowing I was my best self that day. I think it’s important to always push yourself to live right on the edge of your comfort zone.  Naturally that edge will move further and further as you grow.  It’s the little things that add up over time.  Making good decisions and taking action towards your professional and personal goals make a successful day.  Enough of those days add up to bigger wins…a successful quarter, a successful year, a successful life. 

How do you define a good leader? 

A good leader helps to inspire those around them to be their best selves and has the ability to ignite passion in a common goal. I think a good leader is also able to recognize the unique strengths and weaknesses both in themselves and in others and is able to utilize that knowledge to create synergistic collaboration.  

What advice would you give on how to self-advocate? 

Continue learning, developing, and acquiring new skills, so that when an opportunity arises, you’re prepared. Be proactive in looking for opportunities to work on projects or help others, especially with skills not required in your current role and be amazing. Inspire decision makers by demonstrating your competence. Remember to thank those who have helped you along the way, and don’t forget to pay it forward by being an advocate for others!

What advice do you normally give to the junior talent you mentor? 

Stay curious, stay humble, work hard, and never stop building and nurturing your network.  Continue learning, developing, and acquiring new skills, both professionally and personally. Consciously aim to maintain a humble confidence.  As important as it is to be confident in your strengths, it’s equally important to be aware of your shortcomings and to work on them.  Build a reputation and personal brand you are proud of. Come from a place of “yes”, find the positive in everything, focus on solutions, not problems. Seek to identify personal responsibility in every situation; this will allow you to evaluate what is in your control, and that’s powerful. Listen and learn from both veterans in the industry, as well as your peers.  Be willing to work harder than everyone else. Never stop building and nurturing your network, no one achieves greatness on their own!