The Secured Finance Network brought together the future commercial finance leaders for a full day of learning and development at the offices of JPMorgan Chase in Chicago. The Leadership Summit included many great panels, opportunities to expand professional networks and a chance to have fun with industry peers.

“The SFNet’s 2nd Annual YoPro Leadership Summit was a great success last month in Chicago. Over 160 YoPros from around the country attended the Summit in the beautiful Chicago August weather. The Summit included dynamic panels featuring industry executives and strong networking among the industry’s top YoPros”, said William Bence, incoming Chair of SFNet’s National YoPro Committee and principal of Wingspire Capital. “Thank you to all who attended and the gracious sponsors that made the event possible. If you would like to get involved in planning the 2020 Annual YoPro Leadership Summit, please reach out to me.”

The Summit kicked off with a lunch at JPMorgan Chase and attendees were broken up into teams for SFNet Jeopardy. Karen Marino, vice president and account executive, North Mill Capital, LLC and Kat Parker, director of business development HyperAMS, LLC, prepared over 100 questions from a wide variety of topics including finance, sports, music, entertainment, and history. Competition among industry peers quickly became fierce.

Upon the conclusion of Jeopardy, attendees listened to the first panel, “Women Industry Leaders”. The panel provided tips and insights from top women executives in the ABL industry and how they navigated their careers in a historically male-dominated industry. Panelists included Karen Sessions, president,  Bank of America Business Capital; Gail Bernstein formerly of PNC Business Credit; Tania Daniel, managing director, ENGS Commercial Capital; Briana Richards, principal, Ernst & Young LLP; Joye Lynn, head of Corporate Asset Based Lending, Wells Fargo Capital Finance and Penny Fine, managing director Originations, CIT Northbridge Credit, moderating.

Please see Tessa Brend of Northmill Capital’s recap for more details in this e-newsletter or click here.

The panel was followed by guest speaker Keith Levy. Keith has spent his career in the beverage, pet nutrition, and confectionary industries, stops including Anheuser-Busch & Mars. Over the past 34 years, he has honed his business acumen and leadership skills. He’s helmed several major iconic brands driving record-level sales, market share, and profit. He’s also invested in his coworkers and employees, fostering an environment of potential and developing high-performing teams. However, Keith has never lost his entrepreneurial or innovative spirit, and has parlayed his extensive experience into board, advisory, and operating partner roles in the emerging legal cannabis industry.

Following the panels and speakers, members enjoyed drinks and light hors d'oeuvres while taking in the Chicago skyline. Later in the evening, members were invited to attend the Evening Reception at Flight Club. Flight Club allowed members to compete in various dart-based games while enjoying wonderful food and drinks. SFNet would like to give another special thanks to our Evening Reception Sponsors Chapman and Cutler LLP & Otterbourg P.C., Winston & Strawn LLP.

Thursday morning kicked off with the “Changing of the Guard - ABL/Industry Leaders Under 50” panel. Panelist included Jason Riley, senior vice president, Bank of America; Jason Hoeffler, managing director, BMO Harris Bank; Kristina Miller, senior credit officer and head of Asset Based Lending Credit, Fifth Third Bank; Jim Low, senior vice president, Wintrust Business Credit and Jordan Klein, partner, Winston & Strawn LLP. The panelists were industry leaders who made an impact early in their careers and they provided attendees with the secrets behind their success and how to continue to grow professionally and as leaders.

After the morning panel, attendees had an opportunity to speed network with members of the SFNet National Executive Committee. The roundtable discussions included career advice and how to get involved in the SFNet nationally.  

Following the roundtable discussions, the group gathered together for the last panel “Tips from the Titans”. Panelists included Dave Grende, president & CEO, Siena Lending Group; Jeff Goldrich, president and CEO, North Mill Capital LLC; Michael Egan, EVP and COO, Monroe Capital LLC; Elizabeth Manning, senior credit executive, JPMorgan Chase Bank and Eran Cohen, managing director, Wells Fargo Capital Finance. Topics of discussion included the evolving state of the asset-based loan markets, attracting and retaining young talent, tips on how to progress in your career, and general observations on where we are at in the current credit cycle.

At the conclusion of the “Tips from the Titans”, Rob Meyers, 2019 Chair of SFNet’s National YoPro Committee and president of Republic Business Credit, provided the closing remarks.

“It was one of the highlights of my career and I am very proud that our volunteers came together for our Second Young Professional Summit that saw over 160 young professionals engaged in Chicago, representing the current and future leaders of our industry,” Meyers said. “I look forward to seeing what William Bence and the team deliver next year as it continues to grow.”

SFNet and the SFNet YoPro Committee would like to give a special thanks to all of our sponsors. Without their support, the Summit would not have been possible. If you are interested in volunteering for the SFNet National YoPro Committee, please do not hesitate to reach out to Committee Chair William Bence at william@wingspirecapital.com.