Tania Daniel

Managing Director, ENGS Commercial Capital

Biography:

Tania Daniel leads ENGS Commercial Finance’s factoring division. Tania has spent over 17 years partnering with businesses to meet their working capital needs by providing cash flow solutions such as invoice factoring and other forms of asset-based lending.  

Over the course of her career, Tania has held roles in executive management, risk and portfolio management, credit and underwriting, and sales and operations. She joined LSQ Funding Group in 2001 where she played an integral part in many areas of the company. She was able to use the knowledge she gained to grow within the organization and become the vice president of Operations. Most recently, Tania was chief operating officer of Porter Capital Corporation, where she oversaw daily operations, built a high performing team, developed a dynamic culture, and created strategies that enhanced the growth of the organization.

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

My advice is two-fold: to believe in yourself and to be supportive of other women.  It is important to be confident in the unique skillset you bring to the table and to embrace those qualities that set you apart from others. We need to be comfortable with ourselves in order to encourage each other to succeed. There is no need to compare yourself to anyone else. Focus on what you know is right and good things will happen.  There is plenty of opportunity for all of us to be successful so it only makes sense to recognize and celebrate each other’s talents and achievements.

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

I wish I recognized at the beginning of my career that I did not need to tell everyone that I am strong, independent, and intelligent to be respected for those qualities.  Thankfully, I learned that my actions prove who I am, and there is more power in showing than in telling. At the beginning of my career, I felt the need to constantly prove that I deserved my position.  However, that became self-defeating and counterproductive.  It could have easily distracted people from recognizing my strengths, and instead been perceived as a weakness. Letting go of insecurities allowed me to believe in myself which, in turn, made it easier for others to trust in my potential.

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

When I joined the industry, there were only a handful of women in leadership roles and not a lot of opportunities to network with them.  That made it difficult to enter a mentoring relationship with women outside of my organization.  I have been very lucky however to work with many supportive colleagues over the years who have challenged me and believed in me.  Relationships are key in this industry and regardless of gender, having trusted advisors whom I can confide in, and share a few laughs with, has been critical to my career.  I know my mentors and sponsors have my best interest at heart and I am very thankful for their investment in me, both personally and professionally.

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

The best thing the industry can do to attract talent, regardless of gender, is to empower people with the ability to make a real impact on the organization.  Create a culture that supports training and provides mentoring opportunities. Let your team know that you value them by promoting from within as much as possible. Set challenging goals, but have fun while obtaining them. Make a point to recognize effort, and to share the success that comes from having a culture filled with the best and brightest.  This approach is only effective, however, if it is executed in a way that promotes equal opportunities for all associates.