SFNet's YoPro Leadership Summit 2021

August 3 to 4, 2021

#SFNetYoPro

In-Person and Live Online

Join us for the 4^th annual YoPro Leadership Summit as we bring together the young professionals of the secured finance industry for opportunities to hear from industry leaders, connect with peers, and discover together how to find success in our changing industry environment.

On August 3, we'll offer optional in-person activities in Chicago*: golf at Medinah Country Club (registration for golf is now closed) and a kickoff party in the evening.

On August 4, we'll have a full day of live online content with the insights and industry info that you need to excel in your business. For those in Chicago*, we'll have a dine around event at 6:00 p.m.

Thank you to our event co-sponsors

Thank you to our reception sponsor

Thank you to our supporting sponsors

 

Agenda

August 3

12:00-4:00 p.m. CDT
Registration for Golf at Medinah Country Club is now closed. 
 
7:00-10:00 p.m. CDT

The kick-off party will be your chance to catch up with other YoPros, and we will all have plenty to talk about after a long hiatus from in-person events. At Flight Club (111 W. Wacker Dr.) you can expect flying darts, flowing drinks and casual conversation. An after-party bar nearby will also be identified for anyone who wants to keep the night going or who can’t make it to the kick-off party.

August 4

9:00-9:15 a.m. CDT
Welcome/opening remarks
Will Bence, Principal, Business Development, Wingspire Capital

9:15-10:00 a.m. CDT
Market Perspective
Join us for an inside peak into the current conditions and competitive landscape of our industry. Through COVID-19 shut downs, federal relief money, and limitations on the workforce, hear from industry leaders on the effects and how the market is moving forward.

Moderator: Bethani Oppenheimer, Associate, Greenberg Traurig
Panelists: Erik Ellingson, Vice President, Lincoln International
Lisa Galeota, Managing Director , First Eagle Investments
Clinton Miyazono, Director, FocalPoint Partners LLC

10:00-11:00 a.m. CDT
Crypotcurrency & Blockchain: Financing and Impact in 2021 and Beyond
Panelists will look at cryptocurrency's benefits and usage, the impacts of blockchain in finance and lending applications, legal and regulatory issues, and what the future of crypto might look like.

Moderator: Robby Lucas, Attorney, Winston & Strawn LLP
Panelists: Jordan Fishfeld, Co-Founder of Open Finance Networks and Entrepreneur
Audrey Nesbitt, CMO Global, Non-Profit Educational Hub CryptoChicks
Bowen Smith, Manager, Business Restructuring Services, BDO

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CDT
Personal Development: How to Make Difficult Career Decisions and Self-advocate
sponsored by Gordon Brothers
Join us for a live-online, interactive panel on navigating your career. We’ll hear from experts on industry and hiring trends, plus you'll have the chance to ask the career questions you might not be comfortable asking your manager. Is it time to get an MBA?  How do you make a career pivot in a remote environment? This is your chance to ask these questions and more.

Moderator: Rose Coyman, Director, Consumer Products Inventory, Gordon Brothers
Panelists: Phil Coffin, President, Phil Coffin & Associates
Jonathan Paris, Director of Capital Advisory, Lincoln International
Eric Spoonmore, Associate Director of Enrollment Management at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business

12:00-1:30 p.m. CDT
Lunch featuring a virtual networking room: Meet other conference attendees as you take a break in your day for lunch, whether you're home, in the office, or on the road.

1:30-2:30 p.m. CDT
Women Leading the Charge
In recent years, more women have been working in the finance industry, including alternatives. According to Preqin the proportion of alternative assets employees that are female has grown to 19.7% from 18.8% in 2017. Although this represents real gains, women are still underrepresented and there are significant variations in female representation across asset class, geography, and seniority.

Panelists will discuss how each has navigated the inherent difficulties of a leadership role in the industry and how the younger generation can find similar growth and development.

Moderator: Nneoma Maduike, Partner, Otterbourg P.C.
Panelists: Paula Currie, SVP & Director of Internal Controls, PNC Business Credit
Gail Bernstein, GKB Consulting
Paula Currie, Senior Vice President, Internal Controls Director, PNC Business Credit - member of The PNC Financial Services Group
Andrea Petro, Managing Director, Ready Capital Corporation
Jennifer Palmer, CEO, Gerber Finance

2:30-3:30 p.m. CDT
eCommerce Lending
Hear from Alleyoop CEO and Founder Leila Kashani Manshoory about what’s happening in the market, challenges and changes since COVID.

Speakers: Randy Mitzman, VP, Origination and Business Operations, Assembled Brands
Leila Kashani Manshoory, CEO & Founder, Alleyoop

3:30-4:00 p.m. CDT
Closing remarks
Will Bence, Principal, Business Development, Wingspire Capital
Kat Parker, Director of Business Development, HYPERAMS LLC

6:00-8:00 p.m. CDT
Join us for a dine around networking event where you will have the opportunity to network in smaller groups over a casual dinner. Tables will be reserved at one or two nearby restaurants. Individuals will cover their own cost of dinner.

9:00-? CDT
There is no better way to close out the conference than an evening out with old friends and new contacts met at the conference. Join us at a local bar for drinks before saying your goodbyes. Venue details to come.

*We have arranged for discounted rates at three Chicago hotels. Information and links will be listed on your registration confirmation.

Registration

Member Price: $75

Non-Member Price: $175

Register