SFNet announces FY27 leadership appointments

The Secured Finance Network (SFNet) has announced its leadership appointments for FY27, with Stewart Hayes of Wells Fargo Capital Finance named President of the organisation’s Management Committee.

The appointments, which took effect on 1 October 2026, cover SFNet’s Management and Executive Committees as well as the Board and officers of the Secured Finance Foundation (SFFound).

Joining Hayes on the Management Committee are Paul Schuldiner of Rosenthal Capital Group as First Vice President and Foundation Liaison, and Tina Capobianco of J D Factors as Vice President and Finance and Audit Committee Chair.

Jonathan N. Helfat of Otterbourg and Bobbi Acord Noland of Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs have been appointed Co-General Counsel.

SFNet has also appointed leaders across a range of areas to its FY27 Executive Committee. Kim Fisk of Triumph Factoring will lead AI and Innovation, while Steve Beriau of Eclipse Business Capital will chair Data and Michael Hudgens of First Citizens Bank will lead Factoring.

Other Executive Committee appointments include Laura Jakubowski of Goldberg Kohn for Advocacy, Gen Merritt-Parikh of Haversine Funding for Convention, Mignon Winston of Great Rock Capital for Education and Alister Bazaz of Bank of America for International Development.

Richard Gumbrecht, CEO of SFNet, said: “I’m proud to welcome this accomplished group of professionals to SFNet’s and our Foundation’s leadership.

“Their diverse expertise across the industry and commitment to our community will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the secured lending market and serve our members. I look forward to working with them in the year ahead and thank our outgoing leaders for their time, service and lasting contributions to SFNet and the Secured Finance Foundation.”

The Secured Finance Foundation has separately appointed Bethani Oppenheimer of Greenberg Traurig as Board Chair for FY27.

Frank Grimaldi of Gordon Brothers will lead Fundraising, Larry Flick of Blank Rome will chair the Corporate Campaign, Eileen Kowalski of PNC will lead Education and Ian Fredericks of Hilco Global will oversee Data.

The Foundation’s board also includes representatives from Valley Bank, Hilco Diligence Services, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, Holland & Knight, Winston Taylor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

SFNet, founded in 1944, represents companies and professionals involved in secured financing and has more than 1,000 member organisations across the US, Europe, Canada and other international markets.