SFNet’s 2021 4th annual YoPro Leadership Summit will be held in-person in Chicago and live online August 3-4. Young professionals of the secured finance industry will join together for opportunities to hear from industry leaders, connect with peers, and discover together how to find success in our changing industry environment.

After a more than a year of countless Zooms and Teams meetings, this year’s event will offer attendees opportunities to socialize in unique ways.  On August 3, there will be an opportunity to attend an optional golf outing at Medinah Country Club, followed by a kick-off party in the evening. Just 25 miles west of Chicago, Medinah features world-class golf courses.

Afterwards, attendees can stick around for a kick-off party from 7:00-10:00 p.m. CDT at Flight Club, offering drinks and friendly darts competition. The kick-off party will offer the chance to catch up with other YoPros in person, who will all have plenty to talk about after a long hiatus from in-person events. An after-party will also be held at a bar nearby  for anyone who wants to keep the night going or who can’t make it to the kick-off party. Venue details to come.

A full day of live online content will take place on August 4 with the insights and industry information to help young professionals excel in your business.

"The YoPro Leadership Summit is a wonderful event that brings together the best and brightest of the YoPro community throughout the country," said William Bence, managing director, Wingspire Capital and chair of SFNet's National YoPro Committee. "It's a great opportunity to network among the future and emerging leaders in the industry."

The online panels will begin with a Market Perspective, from 9:15-10:00 a.m. CDT. Join for an inside peak into the current conditions and competitive landscape of our industry. Through COVID-19 shutdowns, federal relief money, and limitations on the workforce, industry leaders will discuss the effects and how the market is moving forward.

Next up from 10:00-11:00 a.m. CDT is the Crypotcurrency & Blockchain: Financing and Impact in 2021 and Beyond panel.  Whether you’re a seasoned cryptocurrency investor constantly refreshing the Robinhood app or wonder what Dogecoin is,this panelwill help clarify bylooking 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.

Geoffrey Samuels, VP business development, Siena Lending Group will be the Moderator. Panelists include Jordan Fishfeld, co-founder of Open Finance Networks and Entrepreneur, Bowen Smith, manager, Business Restructuring Services, BDO, Marc Jason Grens, co-founder and resident, DigitalMint and Audrey Nesbitt, CMO Global, Non-Profit Educational Hub, CryptoChicks. 

“Though currently bearish, cryptocurrency and, more specifically, DeFi or decentralized finance has seen an explosion of interest in the 18 months, going from a total value locked of $0.67B in January 2020 compared to the current July 2021 level of $54.53B,” Nesbitt explained.

“In an ecosystem of decentralized applications, anyone with an internet connection can access DeFi's array of financial products from crypto assets, margin trading, synthetics, lending, and borrowing. DeFi's appeal lies in its ability to offer a better way to earn profits with a fraction of the investment one would need to make otherwise.

Nesbitt continued, "Many believe DeFi will not replace CeFi or centralized finance, but that it is more likely that CeFi/DeFi hybrids will exist. With CeFi, institutions likely to pick and choose which DeFi products they like and integrate them into their more user-friendly platforms. According to a recent CNBC Millionaire survey, nearly half of millennial millionaires have at least 25% of their wealth in cryptocurrencies. So, for traditional financial companies, it shouldn't be a question of 'do we get involved in DeFi?' it should be a question of 'when do we get involved with DeFi?'”

Personal Development: How to make difficult career decisions and self-advocate will be held11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CDT. This interactive panel will feature advice on navigating your career with experts on industry and hiring trends. Attendees will have the chance to ask the career questions they might not be comfortable asking their 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.

The Moderator will be Rose Coyman, director, Consumer Products Inventory, Gordon Brothers. Panelists include Phil Coffin, president, Phil Coffin & Associates; Jonathan Paris, director of Capital Advisory, Lincoln International and Eric Spoonmore, associate director of Enrollment Management at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

“Many members of the YoPro group are at a point in their careers where they are deciding if they want to make a push for a management track, stay in an individual contributor role and further specialize their skillsets, or make a significant pivot into an entirely different industry or expertise,” explained Coyman. “On this panel, we will hear from recruiters about the skills needed for these various options, discuss how an MBA might help with career progression, and also hear what types of cross-industry career moves others have successfully made.”

The Conference will break for lunch from 12-1:30 p.m. CDT, and will feature a virtual networking room for attendees to hop in and out of. Network while you enjoy your lunch or catch up on e-mails, whether at home, in the office, or on the go.

Women Leading the Charge panel will follow lunch, and will be moderated by Nneoma Maduike, partner, Otterbourg P.C. In recent years, more women have entered 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 include 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; and Jennifer Palmer, CEO, Gerber Finance.

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.

“We’ll also discuss how to navigate being a woman in a male-dominated industry, how to stand out amongst your peers, and lessons learned throughout our careers that are still applicable today," added Paula Currie, SVP & director of Internal Controls, PNC Business Credit.

The e-Commerce Lending Panel will be held from 2:30-3:30 p.m. CDT. Attendees will hear from eCommerce CEOs, including Alleyoop CEO and founder, Leila Kashani Manshoory, and lenders about what’s happening in the market, challenges and changes since COVID.

After our closing remarks from 3:30-4:00 p.m. CDT, conference attendees in the Chicago area are invited to join a dine around event starting at 6:00 p.m. to catch up and network with other attendees in smaller groups over a casual dinner. Tables will be reserved at one or two nearby restaurants. Note that individuals will cover their own cost of dinner.

There is no better way to close out the conference than an evening out with old friends and new contacts met at the conference. After dinner join attendees at a local bar for drinks before saying your goodbyes. Venue details to come.

Registration is still open. Members pay $75 and non-members $175. We hope to see you in person or online for this year’s event. Click here to sign up.

As always, thank you to our sponsors, and to our YoPro Planning Sub-Committee for organizing another great  event for the next generation of the secured finance industry!

Event co-sponsors
Hilco Global and Winston & Strawn LLP

Personal Development: How to make difficult career decisions and self-advocate Panel
Sponsored by Gordon Brothers  

Opening Reception                                                   
Sponsored by Wells Fargo                                                                                                                                           
Program Book ad
Sponsored by Gerber Finance     

2021 YoPro Planning Sub-Committee

William Bence, SFNet National YoPro Committee Chair and managing director, Wingspire Capital

Michael Albanese, vice president of operations, Cost Reduction Solutions

Stephen Beriau, senior managing director, Encina Business Credit

Tom Boniface, vice president, Hilco Global

Nick Broderick, business development officer, FSW Funding

Licia Jacques, SVP/controller, SLR Business Credit

Karen Marino

Robert Meyers, president, CCO & managing member, Republic Business Credit

Darren Palestine, managing partner, Commercial Finance Partners

Kat Parker, director of business development, HYPERAMS, LLC

Geoffrey Samuels, VP, new business, Siena Lending Group

Samantha Spitz, vice president, Citibank, N.A.

Diane Wszalek, controller, Republic Business Credit