Equipment Finance Cares Board of Directors
JESSE J JOHNSON- President
Blair dawson - Advisory Council Liason
JEFF BILBREY - Vice President
Founder and President of Consult Disrupt
Jesse Johnson is the Founder and President of Consult Disrupt, a strategic execution firm serving the equipment finance industry. He works alongside equipment finance organizations, service providers, and industry partners to bring clarity, momentum, and follow-through to strategic initiatives, help
Founder and President of Consult Disrupt
Jesse Johnson is the Founder and President of Consult Disrupt, a strategic execution firm serving the equipment finance industry. He works alongside equipment finance organizations, service providers, and industry partners to bring clarity, momentum, and follow-through to strategic initiatives, helping ideas move from discussion to meaningful action.
Jesse is also the host of Fireside Chats with Jesse, now in its fifth year with more than 260 episodes. Through the podcast, he facilitates thoughtful, unscripted conversations with industry leaders focused on leadership, innovation, decision-making, and future readiness. The show has become a trusted forum for honest dialogue and long-term thinking within the equipment finance community.
In addition to his advisory work, Jesse is the founder of Equipment Finance Cares (EFCares), a nonprofit organization created to support individuals and families in the equipment finance industry facing unexpected hardship. The mission of EFCares reflects Jesse’s belief that leadership carries a responsibility beyond business results, and that strong industries are built by taking care of people first.
That same purpose guides Jesse’s work through Consult Disrupt. His approach is grounded in service, integrity, and long-term relationships, with a focus on helping organizations grow responsibly while strengthening the entire equipment finance industry.
JEFF BILBREY - Vice President
Blair dawson - Advisory Council Liason
JEFF BILBREY - Vice President
CEO of Leasepath
Jeff serves as Chief Executive Officer of Leasepath and is a member of its Board of Directors. Leasepath is growing quickly as a respected solution provider to the global Asset Finance and Leasing industry, delivering a best-in-class product in a quick-deployment, cloud-based SaaS model. Leasepath is serving clients across
CEO of Leasepath
Jeff serves as Chief Executive Officer of Leasepath and is a member of its Board of Directors. Leasepath is growing quickly as a respected solution provider to the global Asset Finance and Leasing industry, delivering a best-in-class product in a quick-deployment, cloud-based SaaS model. Leasepath is serving clients across North America and Europe, with an eye on continued growth.
Jeff is a recognized technology executive with more than 20 years of experience aligning business and technology strategies. He has proven to build strong business relationships throughout international organizations and across industries. Jeff has demonstrated leadership by building high-performing, highly engaged teams across multiple locations by integrating strategies into an achievable roadmap of innovation and operational excellence, and never yielding focus from superior customer satisfaction. He has a track record of engaging teams around a defined purpose to bring strategic visions to life.
Jeff serves as Chief Executive Officer of Leasepath and is a member of its Board of Directors. Leasepath is growing quickly as a respected solution provider to the global Asset Finance and Leasing industry, delivering a best-in-class product in a quick-deployment, cloud-based SaaS model. Leasepath is serving clients across North America and Europe, with an eye on continued growth.
Blair dawson - Advisory Council Liason
Blair dawson - Advisory Council Liason
Blair dawson - Advisory Council Liason
CMO of North Mill Equipment Finance
Blair Dawson is the Principal of Sterling Rose Marketing and Communications Solutions. Within the realm of Sterling Rose, Blair specializes in the domains of branding, content creation, and the development of cutting-edge marketing strategy. With a strong background in leadership development, Blair’s exp
CMO of North Mill Equipment Finance
Blair Dawson is the Principal of Sterling Rose Marketing and Communications Solutions. Within the realm of Sterling Rose, Blair specializes in the domains of branding, content creation, and the development of cutting-edge marketing strategy. With a strong background in leadership development, Blair’s expertise extends seamlessly across all echelons, showcasing a knack for steering teams toward success. Motivated by a passion for collaboration, she stands as a seasoned manager, skillfully nurturing relationships and lending her expertise to champion the priorities and strategic initiatives of her clients. Prior to starting Sterling Rose Marketing & Communications Solutions, in June of 2023, Blair was the Executive Director & General Manager of the STRIPES Leadership Program. Blair entered the equipment finance industry in 2019 as the Vice President of Marketing and Events for the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA). Blair has a BS in Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University.
RJ GRIMSHAW- TREASURER
Stephanie hall - partnerships chair
Blair dawson - Advisory Council Liason
Business Strategist | Mentor | Growth Leader | ABLE Leadership
R.J. Grimshaw is a seasoned executive with a passion for helping businesses and leaders achieve sustainable growth. With years of hands-on experience navigating complex business landscapes, he brings a strategic mindset and a commitment to practical, results-driven leadershi
Business Strategist | Mentor | Growth Leader | ABLE Leadership
R.J. Grimshaw is a seasoned executive with a passion for helping businesses and leaders achieve sustainable growth. With years of hands-on experience navigating complex business landscapes, he brings a strategic mindset and a commitment to practical, results-driven leadership.
Specializing in corporate strategy, operations, and finance, RJ has a proven track record of driving revenue growth, optimizing performance, and building strong, empowered teams. He believes in leading by example fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and mentorship.
At his core, RJ is a problem solver and a coach, dedicated to helping organizations and individuals unlock their full potential. Whether guiding a company through transformation, mentoring emerging leaders, or sharing insights on business growth, he remains committed to making a meaningful impact.
Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjgrimshaw/
DONNA YANUZZI - Sponsorship Chair
Stephanie hall - partnerships chair
Stephanie hall - partnerships chair
SVP, Director of 1st Equipment Finance
Donna is a highly accomplished executive currently serving as the Director–Executive Management at 1st Equipment Finance, part of the esteemed FNCB Bank. With an impressive 25-year career, Donna has excelled in various leadership roles, including a significant tenure as the Managing Director at F.N
SVP, Director of 1st Equipment Finance
Donna is a highly accomplished executive currently serving as the Director–Executive Management at 1st Equipment Finance, part of the esteemed FNCB Bank. With an impressive 25-year career, Donna has excelled in various leadership roles, including a significant tenure as the Managing Director at F.N.B. Equipment Finance and 14 years as an Editor at TV Guide. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Bloomsburg University, she brings a strong foundation to her primary focus on Sales, Profitability, Marketing, Policy Management, and Managing Risk. Donna's expertise extends to effective team management, having successfully overseen sales teams in the Indirect Vendor Program, Commercial Bank Leasing, and Bank Small Business. With notable achievements, such as building and managing a portfolio of just under $1 billion, she has earned national recognition, ranking F.N.B. among the Top 50 finance/leasing companies by Monitordaily. Donna is also celebrated as one of the "2020 Top Women in Equipment Finance" by Monitordaily, actively contributing to industry associations, including the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), where she holds key roles in the Academic Outreach Program, Research Committee, and Business Council Steering Committee. Donna is also a proud member of the Women’s Council and serves as a Mentor Volunteer, showcasing a commitment to industry development and mentorship.
Stephanie hall - partnerships chair
Stephanie hall - partnerships chair
Stephanie hall - partnerships chair
SVP, Indirect Lending- Apex Commercial Capital
Stephanie Hall, CLFP, is the Senior Vice President of Indirect Lending, with over 17 years of experience in small-ticket equipment finance. She previously served as Executive Vice President of the Small Ticket segment at a publicly traded bank in the Chicagoland area and held a similar positi
SVP, Indirect Lending- Apex Commercial Capital
Stephanie Hall, CLFP, is the Senior Vice President of Indirect Lending, with over 17 years of experience in small-ticket equipment finance. She previously served as Executive Vice President of the Small Ticket segment at a publicly traded bank in the Chicagoland area and held a similar position at an Austin-based independent finance company. Stephanie earned her CLFP designation in 2014 and is actively involved in industry associations, including serving on the Advisory Council for Equipment Finance Cares and the Membership Committee for the ELFA, as well as participating in the Women in Leasing Committee and Standards and Ethics Committee for the National Equipment Finance Association..
Hilary Bilbrey - Secretary
Hilary Bilbrey - Secretary
Hilary Bilbrey - Secretary
Hilary Bilbrey is a bestselling, award-winning author and leadership consultant focused on culture, trust repair, and human-centered systems that help people and communities thrive. She is the author of The Authenticity Key®, a #1 release exploring how language and identity shape confidence, belonging, and performance. As a board member f
Hilary Bilbrey is a bestselling, award-winning author and leadership consultant focused on culture, trust repair, and human-centered systems that help people and communities thrive. She is the author of The Authenticity Key®, a #1 release exploring how language and identity shape confidence, belonging, and performance. As a board member for EF Cares, Hilary brings strategic governance insight rooted in emotional and positive intelligence, stakeholder alignment, and scalable people-process frameworks. Her work and leadership philosophy champion curiosity, psychological safety, and collective impact, strengthening nonprofit ecosystems and creating communities where service becomes the standard.
Meet the EF Cares Advisory Council
Sean Mckenna- chair
Sean McKenna has dedicated over eight years to advancing the business development efforts within the Specialty Equipment Division of Great American Insurance Group. As National Sales Manager, his focus is on creating programs that mitigate risk, enhance operational efficiency, and protect valuable asset portfolios. He is convinced that success hinges on creating meaningful connections and offering customized solutions that address the specific needs of clients and potential customers. Sean is actively engaged with various industry associations. His commitment to professional growth and industry advancement is evident through his previous involvement with the ELFA Emerging Talent Advisory Council and his current participation in the Service Provider Committee and the Advisory Council for Equipment Finance Cares.
HOLLIS BUFFERD
Hollis Bufferd is the CEO of Star Hill Financial. She has over 10 years of experience in the equipment finance business. She saw the growing need for a minority-owned and operated lessor in the equipment financing space. That need, combined with her passion for helping other companies be successful, led to the creation of Star Hill. She prides herself on providing the utmost service to Star Hill’s clients, and continually developing those relationships to drive results. Hollis received a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Small Business Consulting from the University of Connecticut.
KIRSTEN DARGY
Kirsten Dargy is the Marketing Manager at LTi Technology Solutions, where she leads strategic marketing initiatives to enhance brand visibility and drive industry engagement. With extensive experience in equipment finance marketing, she has played a key role in shaping LTi’s presence in the industry through innovative brand campaigns and content-driven strategies.
Prior to joining LTi, Kirsten held various marketing and communications roles where she developed broad marketing expertise ranging from digital marketing, brand management, to industry partnerships. She has a passion for storytelling and a deep understanding of rapidly changing market trends in the industry, which has allowed her to drive impactful initiatives that strengthen LTi’s relationships with clients and industry partners.
Kirsten is actively involved in industry associations and initiatives that promote collaboration and community engagement. She currently serves on the Advisory Council for Equipment Finance Cares, where she contributes her marketing expertise to support the organization’s mission of fostering industry networking, thought leadership, and charitable giving.
Kirsten is based in Omaha, NE, and remains committed to industry engagement, continuous learning, and leveraging marketing strategies to support the growth of the equipment finance sector.
Daniel krajewski
Daniel J. Krajewski is the Executive Vice President of MAZO Capital, LLC where he is charged with developing and executing against strategic growth plans for the organization. Dan has over 40 years of experience in the financial services and equipment finance industry and has had leadership roles in large organizations as well as mid-level privately held commercial finance companies.
Prior to joining MAZO, Dan held the position of Executive Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer of Equify Financial, LLC, where he was responsible for growth and all aspects of revenue generation for a $700MM AUM independent finance company headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.
Dan’s vast experience includes leadership positions with GE Capital and CIT Commercial Finance and several other independent equipment finance companies. In his roles at GE Capital and CIT, he led the growth of many financing platforms and was responsible for the performance and overall management of several leadership teams. At CIT, Dan led the US Vendor Equipment Finance business which had total assets of more than $3B.
Dan graduated from Canisius College with a B.S. in Management and received his MBA from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dan has been a long-time member of ELFA and NEFA. With the ELFA, he has served on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer, as well as several committees including Chair of the Vendor and Captive Finance Subcommittee. Dan resides with his wife Lisa in Orange County, California. Dan and Lisa have 6 children and 8 grandchildren.
Kristi schon
Kristi Schon, Chief Marketing Officer at Channel, leads brand innovation, strategic planning, and all communication efforts to strengthen partner engagement and drive business profitability and growth. With over 20 years of marketing and advertising agency experience, she has shaped strategies for major brands across retail and consumer sectors. At Channel, she applies her expertise to drive impactful results and meaningful partnerships. Active in advancing the equipment finance industry forward, she currently serves on the NEFA Board of Directors, ELFA Marketing & Branding Committee, EFC Advisory Council, and regularly participates in industry panels and webinars. Schon holds a Bachelor of Arts from the School of Journalism at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Robert hornby
Robert Hornby serves as Chair of the CSG Law Equipment Leasing & Asset Based Lending Team representing national and regional banks and independent finance companies throughout the country in all aspects of equipment leasing and finance, as well as other asset-based lending. He regularly counsels clients on a wide range of legal matters unique to the equipment finance industry, including drafting master lease and loan documentation, lien priority and security interest issues (including those relating to the Article 9 of the UCC), facilitating portfolio sales and assignments, and enforcing lessors’ and securing creditors’ rights. His experience covers a large array of assets, including construction equipment, healthcare equipment, automobiles (including TRAC leases), technology and solar equipment, railcars/locomotives, and software. He also advises clients on relevant regulatory and compliance issues impacting their businesses at both the state and federal level, such as state lender/lease licensing requirements and the newly enacted state truth-in-lending disclosure laws. In addition, Robert is an experienced litigator and serves as trial counsel in equipment finances disputes in New York and New Jersey state and federal courts, including in bankruptcy matters. This includes enforcing and collecting on leases, loans, and EFAs and the repossession/replevin of equipment and other assets.
A thought leader in his field, Robert co-authored Secured Transactions for The Practitioner: How to Properly Perfect Your Personal Property Lien and Assure Priority – a guide well-respected within the equipment finance community – and regularly publishes and speaks about key issues in the equipment finance industry. He is honored to serve as the current President of the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) and was named “NEFA Member of the Year” in 2020. He is also a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) Legal Committee and the ELFA Legislative & Regulatory Subcommittee. Most recently, he was appointed to the Steering Committee for the Lease Enforcement Attorney Network (LEAN).
He received his law degree, cum laude, from Seton Hall University School of Law, and his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Arizona. He served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable David S. Baime, PJAD (ret.) in the New Jersey Appellate Division.
Riley nemeth
Riley Nemeth is a Senior Asset Manager for Wintrust Commercial Finance. In this position he is involved in all aspects of the asset management role.
Prior to joining WCF in 2017, Riley worked for United leasing & Finance in a similar role. He also worked for Ritchie Bros Auctioneers as a territory manager responsible for consigning equipment.
Craig Colling
Craig Colling, CLFP, SVP – Vendor Channel Leader at Ascentium Capital, a Division of Regions Bank, brings 23 years of expertise in the equipment financing industry and currently spearheads the vendor sales division for his organization.
Prior to his tenure at Ascentium Capital, Craig served as the Vice President of Sales at Paramount Financial Services.
Craig holds a degree in Marketing (BSBA) from the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. He resides in Phoenix, AZ, with his wife Asia, son Jack, and daughter Dylan. In his leisure time, Craig enjoys playing golf, pickleball, and coaching youth team sports.
Steven Holben
Steven Holben as Sr. Director Digital Sales Strategy and Originations has spent the last 4 years developing the strategic deployment of Mitsubishi HC Capital America’s data into actionable lead generation. The role has evolved to include managing the Vendor Solutions Salesforce Data Governance team to ensure that data in leads to even more success down the lifecycle of a customer relationship. Prior to his current responsibilities, Steven was the Finance Manager for ENGS Commercial Finance. Prior to his time with his current company, Steven spent time working for Mondelez International and Navistar. Steven has been a member of the ELFA Emerging Talent Advisory Council for 3 years and is an active CLFP.
