Equipment Finance Cares (EF Cares) held its fourth and final event of 2024 in Minneapolis, MN. Over 70 equipment finance professionals attended, representing 41 different organizations. "Thank you, CHANNEL, for hosting our third event in Minnesota,” said Jesse Johnson, President of Consult Disrupt and Founder of Equipment Finance Cares. “This was by far our largest fundraising effort to date so thank you to all that attended and the continued support from our sponsors.”

Sean McKenna, from Great American Insurance Group, chaired the event. Stephen Engel, CLFP, Regional Sales Manager at Channel, moderated the human side of the equipment finance panel, which consisted of Daryn Lecy, CLFP, COO of Oakmont Capital Services; Dave Schlauderaff, President of Merchants Bank Equipment Finance; Amy Lewis, COO at KLC Financial and Kelly Geiger, General Manager at Wallwork Financial.

Immediately following the panel discussion, the featured speaker, Brian Slipka, CEO and Founder of True North Family of Companies, discussed his recent book project, “Win Some: 5 Proven Strategies to Win in Relationships.”

The foundations showcased during the event were Make a Wish Minnesota, Feed My Starving Children, Create MPLS, Indy Foundation, St Theresa Orphanage Foundation, True North Family Foundation, Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, and the NEFA Foundation.

Channel hosted a networking reception that concluded the event.

"This was my first Equipment Finance Cares Event, and I expected it to be primarily networking. I was pleasantly surprised to have a panel discussion and a keynote speaker of substance with information I can use and implement at my company. The networking, of course, was amazing!” – Dawn Wood- Beacon Funding

“First event, a great opportunity to get to know EFCares and to network with high-level executives” John Henderson - Onset Financial

"I love connecting with people who genuinely care about giving back within our industry; I hope that these events continue to flourish and grow and influence our industry to give back to those in need even more." – Jennifer Stich, CLFP- Falcon Bank Equipment Finance

“A really nice event that connects so many from the industry and for a good cause.” Dave Schlauderaff- Merchants Bank Equipment Finance