Megan Flaherty

Vice President, Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc.

40 Under 40 Category: Underwriting

Biography:

Megan Flaherty, vice president of the purchase order finance division of Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. (Rosenthal Trade Capital), has been with the firm for three years. Megan is responsible for handling all account management duties in her portfolio, underwriting new business, and structuring all international PO financing trade requirements.  Megan has daily interaction both internally with Rosenthal’s factoring and asset-based lending divisions and externally with third-party banks, factors, finance companies and external legal counsel.

Prior to joining Rosenthal, Megan was vice president of operations at Salus Capital Partners, LLC from 2012 through 2017.  

Megan is active in the industry and supports new business development efforts through involvement in SFNet, the Turnaround Management Association, ACG, WHOW of NY and B.A.B.E.  She also attends regional industry events, trade shows, and networking events with third-party lenders, CPAs, attorneys, investment bankers and private equity referral sources.

Megan earned her bachelor degree in economics from Boston College.

What is the best professional advice you have been given and how have you implemented it? 

I have been fortunate to meet and work with talented, driven and intelligent people throughout my career. My mentors have imparted wonderful advice over the years, and a few things in particular have stuck with me. Be self-motivated. Solicit regular feedback and consciously incorporate that feedback into personal goals. Your career will progress as quickly or as slowly as you allow, so maintain a sense of urgency in all that you do.

Become an expert in your field. Read industry publications, stay current on market trends, and attend industry events and conferences.  Knowledge makes you a valuable resource to your team and company. Be just as strong within a team as you are as an individual contributor. It’s crucial to develop an understanding of the big picture and recognize when to involve others in your work. Don’t hesitate to be a leader.  Be fearless. Trust your own judgment to recognize necessary risks and always take responsibility for end results. Develop and nurture interests outside of your work. Become involved in the local community and volunteer. Getting involved is a great way to make an impact and engage with people who you may not have the opportunity to meet otherwise.  Take a leading role in volunteer opportunities. Make health and happiness main priorities.

How do you define a good leader? 

A good leader is someone who is always prepared, has sound judgment and elevates those around her. A good leader does not always succeed, but gives herself and her team the best chance of success. She uses her experience to provide good judgment in the toughest of circumstances, while always maintaining an ethical approach. She makes the people around her better by giving them all of the information and resources they need to succeed. By providing unwavering support, focus and direction when needed, she can advocate for her team while still encouraging their independence.

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

The advice I give to junior talent is to challenge yourself. Rather than wait for your career to unfold, you should always seek to enhance your capabilities and increase your responsibilities. The people who took an interest in my career early on encouraged me to take on more difficult assignments that were perhaps not in line with my junior title. Even if you feel that you are not ready or fully prepared, push yourself to deliver the best results possible. By challenging yourself, you will learn more and grow faster than you otherwise thought possible, and the people around you will recognize that and take notice.  

Network! Attend as many industry events as possible and build lasting relationships with your peer group.  

Always be professional in the way you act, the way you dress, and the way you form relationships.  I have found that maturity and professionalism can set you apart from your peers and help offset potential preconceived notions of your relative inexperience and youth.

Always maintain a positive attitude regardless of circumstance or audience.