Candi Pavliscak

Divisional Chief Risk Officer and Senior Vice President, Hitachi Business Finance

Biography:

Candi Pavliscak serves as divisional chief risk officer and senior vice president for Hitachi Business Finance. Candi is responsible for managing the operations team, overseeing the credit risk of multiple commercial finance portfolios, managing the service operation for another Hitachi lending division, and coordinating audit and credit functions with Hitachi’s parent company. She has a deep knowledge of credit in both factoring and asset-based lending.

Candi has been involved in the commercial lending industry for more than 25 years. Her experience covers credit underwriting, documentation, compliance, and legal review for all asset-based lending and factoring transactions. She has worked with community and commercial banks as well as a law firm and non-traditional asset-based lenders. Candi has spent the last several years developing and managing the daily credit and administration functions of client relationships for Hitachi Business Finance. Candi frequently speaks on various small business topics including how small businesses can improve their collections process and how to gain access to capital. Candi received her bachelor degree in business administration from Oakland University in 1992.

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

First of all, always keep learning. It brings you personal satisfaction, and it will keep you relevant because the industry is always evolving and changing with technology. It’s easy to find continuing education through industry associations – many offer trade shows, conferences, webinars, and classroom education.

Also be confident to speak your mind. Remember that your thoughts are just as valid as anyone else’s, regardless of age or gender. Just because the room is full of more established colleagues doesn’t mean they are smarter than you. I feel a lot of women are intimidated by authority and follow along with the old rules and standards when maybe they shouldn’t. It’s okay to ask questions.

What do you know now that you wish you knew in the beginning of your career?

I wish I knew to be more open-minded and not so singularly focused on one career path because opportunities can lead you in different directions. Sometimes these directions are a better fit for your skill set that you may enjoy more. The career path I had set in my mind when I started college isn’t even close to where I am today, but I’m happy with my choices and they are a better fit for my personality than I ever expected.

I would also tell my younger self that I don’t need to be Superwoman to do a good job. Not only is it okay to ask for help, but it benefits everyone in the long run. No need to do it alone.

What kind of role has mentoring and/or sponsorship played in your career?

Having a mentor is a great opportunity for workers of all ages to learn and glean insightful information from. Through the years, I have been able to observe and seek knowledge from members of our management teams, as well as my co-workers. It’s important to keep an open mind because everyone has something to offer, and everyone has something to learn. That’s the great thing about mentors – they willingly provide the opportunity to learn from their experience and act as a sounding board when there’s a tough decision to be made. I have been so fortunate to have a few great bosses over the years that have shaped both my knowledge of the industry and how to build and nurture successful relationships along the way.

What do you think the industry could do to attract and retain the best and the brightest today?

Awareness is a huge issue for attracting people to our industry. I don’t think there are enough students and professionals that know our industry can (and should) be a career choice. It is not covered in mainstream business textbooks. It will be our responsibility as established professionals to mentor and guide these younger individuals as they begin their careers. Also, it’s vitally important to continue engaging these young students/professionals with our various industry events, such as those provided by the SFNET. The more exposure we can provide, the more awareness there will be.