Lori Kielty

Director, Maritime Finance, CIT Group

Biography:

Lori brings expertise in asset-based financing for the transportation, logistics, and infrastructure industries, with a particular focus on the maritime sector. Her primary role will be sourcing new clients and identifying financing solutions for maritime shipping companies. Kielty also works with the Maritime Finance team to expand CIT’s existing client portfolio.

Lori has exceeded business volume targets in a variety of senior business development roles she has held at banks and financial institutions, including DVB Bank, Bab- cock & Brown, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Transamerica Finance Corp.

Having started her career in finance at CIT, Lori returns to the Bank with broad experience in transportation finance. She has covered markets throughout North and South America and Europe, as well as Southeast Asia. She has built an extensive global network of relationships, working with a range of business clients, from large corporations to small private operators, to finance their facilities, equipment and fleets.

Over her career, Lori has negotiated and closed over $2.5 billion of financings and capital markets opportunities involving credit, tax and legal considerations.

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

There is no substitute for professional expertise, so throughout your career take every opportunity to expand your knowledge. Keep up on industry and general news and read key publications to follow developments in your industry sector. Seek opportunities to enroll in training classes and seminars. Stay in touch with the industry thought-leaders and fellow colleagues by networking and attending industry events. Not only will this enhance your industry knowledge, it will also enable you to create and form key relationships that will strengthen over your entire career. Finally, remember to support other women at all levels, junior and senior to you. You do not need to wait until you are a senior level to give support and encouragement; you can do this throughout your career.

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

When I started out in my career, I wish I had better understood the importance of believing in yourself and taking yourself seriously. Own responsibility for your role and contributions and actively manage your career growth. This requires confidence and a seriousness of purpose that only you can provide. Also, remember to appreciate the value of leveraging the wisdom of other people. You may have contribution, but you will also benefit by listening and learning from others. Never forget the importance of teamwork and the value that each member brings to the team as a whole.

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

The thoughtful guidance of managers who instructed and directed me enhanced my career and supported my progress. My mentors also encouraged me to develop my own approach to creating strong client relationships. I have learned many good lessons– both from the constructive advice from my managers and mentors and also from own mistakes. I’m grateful for many helpful introductions that my mentors have provided throughout my career. Whenever I can, I try to help mentor the next generation of women in commercial finance to support their progress.

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

The first and most essential step is for the industry to ensure women have equal opportunity for growth and development. Women are fully capable of competing on a level playing field, and they should join a firm and an environment that provides growth opportunities. Along with equal opportunity, women must receive pay and benefits equivalent to those in positions with comparable duties and responsibilities. Similarly, expectations must be the same for employees in comparable positions, regardless of their gender.

In short, to attract and retain the best and the brightest, commercial finance must ensure that women are valued, fairly compensated and provided with the right opportunities to thrive now and in the future.