After two years of virtual and hybrid conferences, SFNet's YoPro Leadership Summit returns in person August 3 to 4, 2022 at King & Spalding LLP in Atlanta, GA.  Young professionals of the secured finance industry will hear from industry leaders, connect with peers, and discover together how to find success in new, flexible work structures. This year’s speakers and panelists will provide a market perspective, share an e-commerce update, and discuss diversity, equity and inclusiveness initiatives. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from industry titans and former SFNet 40 Under 40 Award winners. We’ll also have small-group networking sessions, icebreakers, group social activities and receptions in the evening.

This event is open to both SFNet national members and SFNet chapter members. Click here for more information and to register. Limited spots are left.

“I am looking forward to the YoPro Conference in Atlanta and catching up with friends from across the country,” said Rob Meyers, president, Republic Business Credit and founder of the SFNet YoPro Leadership Summit. “Republic is a proud supporter of our young professional community and I look forward to celebrating so many career milestones, promotions and deal successes of the attendees since our last conference in Chicago.”

On August 3, the event will begin with an opening lunch and welcome, followed by an icebreaker and small group presentations.  The E-commerce Lending and Real World Insights Panel will follow and will feature industry leading DTC (direct-to-consumer) and e-commerce asset-based lenders and professionals who will discuss the structures of their facilities as well as the pitfalls and the challenges businesses seeking financing face as they cater to the on-line consumer and ever-changing digital platform demands.

Jonathan Deptula, senior managing director of Appraisal Services, HyperAMS LLC will be the moderator. Panelists will include Melissa Coopersmith, managing director, Southeast and Texas Region, Tiger Group; Michael Lipkin, CEO, Assembled Brands and Harrison J. Roberts, managing partner, Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP.

“Our position as the leading specialists in D2C asset-based lending means that we are seeing plenty of businesses that are banking on online customers for revenue,” said Lipkin. “One issue we have noticed in relation to this is that many are not managing their ad spend consistently over time. Companies need to ensure that their teams are reviewing, optimizing and especially prioritizing results driven ad spend, not just allowing it to increase without seeing ROAS increase conjunctively.”

Lipkin added he is seeing brands realizing that the days of easily obtainable cash over, especially as inflation continues to surge and the economy is headed into a period of heightened uncertainty.

“A common pattern we are seeing is brands are seeking alternative funding options in a tightening credit and venture capital market,” Lipkin added. “A slowdown in consumer spending is also forcing brands to come up with new and creative ways to keep selling to customers to stay on track with sales forecasts and to avoid increased strain on cash flow.”

After a break, will be the Market Perspective Panel. After two years of robust deal activity, the market hit some headwinds in 2022. This panel will feature key industry perspectives from a group of investment bankers that specialize in diverse market segments. The panelists will share their experiences observing firsthand how clients and industry sectors have responded to these headwinds and the impact they see of rising interest rates, inflation, supply chain disruption, the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine and other macroeconomic factors will have on M&A and debt deal activity for the remainder of 2022 and beyond. Their unique perspectives on trends in EBITDA multiples and access to debt and equity markets should provide useful for deal originators, portfolio managers and other market participants.

James Poston, chief sales officer, eCapital, will serve as moderator. Panelists will include Locksley Roane, vice president corporate banking, Citizens; Steve Tye, managing director, Croft & Bender and Irena Mihailova Snider, managing director, FinTech & Financial Services Investment Banking, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

“Increasing interest rates is forcing all lenders to review pricing strategy and risk vs. reward models to ensure they are able to weather the storm that is looming; this could result in certain lenders exiting markets/industries all together,” Poston explained. “However, it can also present and provide opportunities to lenders who have adequate capital structure’s in place to focus and invest during these times. Not since 2008 have we seen such uncertainty in the macroeconomic indicators and with a recession all but certain, if not already here, and the federal banks increasing interest rates likely two or three more times in 2022 in order to curve inflation the second half of the year. These increases will have ripple effects across the whole lending market as margins are squeezed, both by increasing costs of input, but also by increasing lending costs. This will result in traditional bank lenders having to increase loan loss reserves and potentially having to exit credits to continue to meet the banks risk ratings. When this happens, it will provide for opportunity in the alternative lending space for factoring companies and asset-based lending companies across a number of industries. This is a time for lenders to remain patient and focused on industries and areas where they hold expertise.”

Immediately following the panels will be the Cocktail Reception at King & Spalding at 5:30, giving attendees the chance to catch up and network. After that will be the event’s Opening Reception, sponsored by Cost Reduction Solutions at 7 p.m. at nearby Establishment Atlanta, a sophisticated cocktail lounge and craft eatery offering a taste of historical significance in the heart of Midtown.

“I am excited for the SFNet YoPro Leadership Summit to be back in person this year in Atlanta,” SFNet YoPro Committee Chair William Bence, managing director, Wingspire Capital said. “In addition to networking with our industry’s best and brightest, I am particularly looking forward to the Titans/40U40 panel.”

On Thursday, August 4, following breakfast and an icebreaker, will be the Titans/40U40 – A Blended Perspective on Present Day Asset-Based Lending Panel from 9:00-10:00 a.m. ET.

Secured finance titans and current/former SFNet 40 Under 40 Award recipients will highlight current industry trends including turnaround, refinance and new issue activity. Panelists will also compare and contrast their career experiences, providing insights into the challenges and opportunities in structured finance that will have a direct impact on young professionals and experienced industry constituents alike.

Essa Thiry, SVP, Change Capital and 2021 SFNet 40 Under 40 Award Winner, will serve as moderator. Panelists will include former 40 Under 40 Award winners Ben Colley, SVP – originations, PNC Business Credit and Stacy Odendahl, ABL Sales, Wells Fargo Capital Finance. Courtney Jeans, executive managing director and division executive, Regions Business Capital, with almost 30 years of experience will share his insights on the titan side.

The DEI Fireside Chat – Be Part of the Change panel will be held from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET. and will look at how firms have implemented strategies that integrate cultural diversity, inclusion, and equity.  The panel will cover where things were 10 years ago, how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go and how the young professionals can continue to make change.

Panelists will include Leia Clement Shermohammed, associate, Corporate, Finance and Investments, King & Spalding LLP and Melissa Mok, director, Asset Based Lending, Truist Securities.

After the DEI panel will be another icebreaker and conclusion to the event. For those who are participating in SFNet's new Mentoring Program, the August 4 online event will start at 2:00 p.m. ET and run until 3:15 p.m. ET.  King & Spalding has quiet rooms available to conduct the online meeting.

Thank you to our YoPro Leadership Summit Sponsors: Cost Reduction Solutions, eCapital, Gordon Brothers, Wells Fargo and Change Capital and to our 2022 SFNet YoPro Leadership Summit Planning Committee:                                   

Michael Albanese, V.P. of operations, Cost Reduction Solutions and chair of SFNet’s YoPro Leadership Summit Planning Committee

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

Tom Boniface, vice president, Hilco Global

Randy Cohenour, vice president, Asset Based Lending, JPMorgan Chase & Co

Blake Goddard, director, Business Development , Synovus Bank

Jacob Goldberg, vice president, Asset Based Lending, JPMorgan Chase Bank

Morgan Hansen VP, regional sales manager, Bay View Funding

Kasey Krum, junior originator, JPMorgan Chase Bank

Robert Meyers, president, Republic Business Credit

Karen Marino, director, White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC

Bethani R. Oppenheimer, shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Kathleen Parker, director of Business Development, HYPERAMS, LLC

Justin Wood, partner, Troutman Pepper

Diane Wszalek, controller, Republic Business Credit