The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation launched Campus to Career, a newly enhanced platform of next-generation talent development programmes. Campus to Career was designed to more accurately reflect the objective of the Foundation’s academic resources, which are designed to reflect the need for the equipment finance industry to attract the future workforce and to be intentional about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in recruiting.
The Foundation also announced a collaboration with Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business to develop a curriculum for a certificate of study in equipment finance. The first course concentrating on credit analysis and equipment leasing is being provided to students for the spring 2024 semester in partnership with the W.P. Carey School of Finance. Over the next three years, the programme will be expanded to five courses incorporating the finance elective, lease accounting, and additional coursework in sales and marketing.
Speaking about the development, Donna Yanuzzi, Director of Equipment Finance at 1st Equipment Finance (FNCB Bank) and chair of the Foundation’s academic outreach committee said:
So many of us are searching for talent to build our businesses to better serve our clients well into the future. The foundation team understands our needs and has dedicated much effort to developing the Campus to Career programs to help us find the best new talent.
Campus to Career programs include:
- Opportunities in Equipment Finance- Industry professionals are encouraged to deliver these ready-made academic presentations that feature career pathways and finance subject matter at local colleges and universities or their alma mater. This was formerly the Guest Lecture Program.
- Internship Resources- All equipment finance industry firms with available internship positions can reach eligible student candidates by posting openings in the Campus to Career online listing.
- Recruiting Resources- Industry professionals can learn from articles and information on best practices for industry recruiting from sources, including the National Association for Colleges and Employers, the National Society for Experiential Education, and Northern Illinois University.
- Scholarships- The Foundation awards annual scholarships to students interested in potentially pursuing a career in the equipment finance industry.
Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business is one of the largest business schools in the US, with almost 20,000 students pursuing undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Global problem-solvers are needed to develop solutions for the planet. The W. P. Carey School welcomes variety and encourages international thought, from its world-renowned professors representing six continents to the hundreds of great students who join them each year from around the world. It transforms the world by providing access to, excellence in, and innovation in business knowledge.
Nancy Pistorio, Foundation Chair & President of Madison Capital, added:
The success of the Foundation’s academic outreach to date, strong industry demand for student talent recruiting resources, and our groundbreaking curriculum development partnership with ASU demonstrate the value of our expanded investment in the Campus to Career platform. The Foundation continues to fulfill its forward-looking mission with programs that elevate the stature and sustainability of the equipment finance industry thanks to the support of our generous donors and volunteers.
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, set up in 1989, is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to fostering thoughtful innovation and contributing to enhancing the equipment leasing and finance business. The Foundation is committed to partnering with academics, economists, and independent researchers to further the body of knowledge in the sector. The institution aims to ensure that all Foundation volunteers, donors, staff, students, and research partners work in a safe, inclusive, and productive environment.