SFNet's Emerging Leaders Summit 2025

April 30 to May 1, 2025

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#SFNetLeaders25

Don't miss SFNet's Emerging Leaders Summit, a dynamic conference designed to unite professionals with 6-15 years of experience in secured finance, providing an unparalleled opportunity to gain insights from titans who have navigated the intricacies of the field. Engage in thought-provoking panels where industry luminaries will offer a unique perspective on both the industry and effective leadership. CPE credits are available for this event.

See who is coming to the Summit

The Westin Copley Place, Boston is the official hotel for this year's Emerging Leaders Summit. We have arranged discounted rates for conference attendees, but you must book your room by Friday, April 11, to access one of these rates. To book your room, please use this link.

• If you check in on April 28 or 29, your rate will be $410 plus tax per night.
• If you check in on April 30 or May 1, your rate will be $359 plus tax per night.

Both rates represent a substantial discount from the current published room rates. 

If you are attending our Business Development Strategies course on April 29 in Boston, please note that we are offering a limited number of rooms for the night of April 28 but these will fill up quickly. We can also recommend the following hotels within walking distance of the course location. While we do not have a partnership with these hotels, they offer convenient accommodations for your April 28 stay:

• Boston Marriott Copley Place
• Sheraton Boston Hotel 

 Jump to Registration Info 

Agenda*

Wednesday, April 30

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Bank CEO Roundtable Sessions (invitation only, separate registration required)

1:30 pm- 3:00 pm
Freedom Trail Tour

3:30 pm
Registration Opens

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Networking Break
Sponsored by Gordon Brothers

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Functional Roundtables
Facilitated by Bank CEO Roundtable participants, these dynamic small-group discussions offer the opportunity to share experiences and gain insights on what drives success, from personal stories of overcoming challenges to the most impactful professional advice you've ever received.

5:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Keynote Speaker Dave Spandorfer, CEO & Co-Founder, Janji
Dave is the head of a start-up apparel organization that links runners with exploring and giving back. Meaning promise, Janji is the first sports apparel brand of its kind. Through the sale of globally inspired and globally designed running apparel, Janji raises awareness and funds solutions for a crisis that affects over 700 million people worldwide, access to clean water.

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Opening Reception
Sponsored by Rouse Services

7:30 pm
Dine-Arounds (optional, self-pay)
Enjoy an evening of great conversation and networking with fellow attendees—participants cover their own meal costs. Choose one of four reserved restaurants when you register for the conference:

Grill 23 & Bar 161 Berkeley St.

Sonsie 327 Newbury St.
Parm 140 Dartmouth St.
Saltie Girl  279 Dartmouth St.

Thursday, May 1

9:00 am - 9:30 am
Breakfast/Networking/Prize Giveaway
Giveaway sponsored by Riemer & Braunstein LLP
Make sure to enter the drawing for a reMarkable Paper Pro - 11.8" Paper Tablet with Marker Plus and Premium Leather Book Folio. Bring paper into your digital workflow with lightning-fast responsiveness and a pen-to-ink distance of less than 1 mm.

9:30 am - 10:15 am
Business Development – Winning the Deal
Sponsored by SLR Business Credit
What does it take to win the deal in 2025? The step-by-step process on how to win over a prospect and what potential prospects are most focused on in 2025 (liquidity/covenants/pricing/etc.) How is the competition in the market in 2025?

Panelists: Jeff Austin, Sr. Vice President, SLR Business Credit
Hiwot Gabreyes, Business Development, Wells Fargo
Susan Thompson, Executive Director Originations, JPMorganChase
Brendan Tully, SVP Healthcare Finance, Siena Lending Group 
10:15 am - 11:00 am
Credit/Portfolio Management – Distress in the Market
Is there evidence of underperformance in current and potential borrowers? What indicators of distress are borrowers dealing with in 2025 and how can they navigate these impacts effectively? What is the credit environment and outlook in 2025?

Panelists: Matt Czerkowicz, Director, Capital, Gordon Brothers 
Frank Nicoletta, SVP Underwriting, Citi
Paola Socci, Associate Portfolio Manager, Siena Lending Group
James Wollweber, AVP Credit Analyst, TD Bank 
11:00 am - 11:30 am 
Networking Break
Sponsored by Gordon Brothers

11:30 am - 12:15 pm
AI in the ABL Industry – Opportunities and Barriers
How is AI shaping the landscape within the ABL industry? We'll explore the role of AI in legal and financial processes along with regulatory restrictions faced by financial institutions in adopting AI tools and its impacts. 

Panelists: Dan Ennis, Partner, Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP
Michael Rich, Member, Otterbourg P.C.
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch & Networking
Sponsored by Gordon Brothers

*Agenda subject to change.

The Secured Finance Network is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org. 

Thank you to our host & lead sponsor



Thank you to conference sponsors

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Registration

Pricing
Member pricing applies to employees of SFNet member organizations. Not sure if your company is a member? Click here to confirm.

Cancellation policy
All cancellation requests must be made in writing. Email requests to Betty at BLam@sfnet.com.

• Now - March 30, 2025: Full refund, minus a 10% administration fee per registration
• After March 30, 2025: No refunds

Reminder

Please take a moment to review our Code of Conduct to ensure a positive and respectful experience for everyone.

Member Price: $215

Non-Member Price: $315

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