Monika Stormer

Controller, Utica Leaseco

Biography:

Monika Stormer, controller at Utica Leaseco, graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and recently earned her Master of Business Adminstration degree from Walsh College.  Before joining Utica Leaseco in 2015, Monika worked in the accounting department as executive assistant to the chief financial officer of MNP Corporation, a nationwide industrial fastener manufacturer. Monika is an essential part of the daily operations at Utica Leaseco; managing title work, ensuring proper lien perfection, and tracking insurance coverage for each asset.  Monika is a consistent bookkeeper who pays close attention to detail, allowing Utica Leaseco to provide funding to dozens of important American companies each year.  Monika’s dedication to keeping every transaction secure well after closing is critical to our continued success.  In her free time, Monika enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two nephews and niece. She also enjoys keeping active and staying fit through barre and yoga, as well as reading and likes travelling to Florida with her family.

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

I would encourage other women just starting out in the industry to network and connect with other like-minded women. Being aligned with other professional women (especially in a male-dominated industry) can be invaluable. Additionally, I would suggest seeking out firms that offer employee training. Some of the most valuable knowledge that I have learned has been from on-the-job learning. Working for a company that supports that has been quite rewarding.

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

I wish I knew how valuable on-the-job experience is. I used to believe that everything I needed to know I would learn in school, but nothing could be further from the truth. I have spent a lot of time educating myself and seeking answers to my own questions. I have gained knowledge that I never would have learned in the traditional classroom environment. As I previously mentioned, having an employer that values that type of learning has been fundamental in my being able to contribute as much to our organization as I can. It is a fulfilling experience. Also, I wish I knew the importance of networking.

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

I have learned a lot from my two bosses, although it has not been a traditional mentoring or sponsorship situation. They have taught me to look at situations from different perspectives and observing how they make decisions and operate our business has been a great experience.  I have been allowed to learn from my mistakes, as well as voice my opinion. They encourage each member of our team to voice their opinions. It is also important to be in an environment where you are able to ask questions.

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

I think that firms in this industry should try to employ recent graduates and offer them on-the-job training. Firms that are interested in attracting the brightest and best job candidates may want to recruit from business schools and business networking groups.  As I previously mentioned, a lot of my skills were gained through experience and being able to make mistakes and learn from them. The younger employees of this generation want to feel as though they are contributing to something bigger than just their job. I think that, if employers market themselves to younger employees with the image that they are making a difference, this would appeal to that generation. Additionally, creating a satisfying job experience and offering opportunities to grow within the company and get involved in their communities will attract bright job candidates.