Caitlin Sanders

Managing Director, Callodine Commercial Finance

Caitlin Sanders, managing director, is responsible for sourcing, originating and structuring new lending investments for Callodine Commercial Finance, a provider of asset-based loans to middle-market companies in the U.S. and Western Europe.  Caitlin’s coverage includes the New York, New England, and Midwest markets.  Prior to joining CCF, Caitlin was responsible for underwriting, structuring, and portfolio management at its predecessor firm, Gordon Brothers Finance Company.  Prior to joining GBFC in 2013, Caitlin was a senior analyst in Gordon Brothers’ valuation group. Prior to joining Gordon Brothers in 2011, Caitlin was a fixed income credit analyst at Logan Circle Partners, LP, where she conducted fundamental research and relative value analysis for potential investments across the capital structure within the telecom, cable, media, technology and healthcare sectors. Caitlin began her career as a fixed-income credit analyst at Delaware Investments. She received her BA from the University of Pennsylvania.  

Caitlin serves on the Leadership Council of the non-profit, Boston Scores. She lives in Wellesley, MA with her husband, Steve, and son, John.

What advice would you offer to women just starting out in the industry? 

Don’t be afraid to be different.  For the better part of my career, I have been one of two women and sometimes the only woman within my company.  It is easy to feel the internal pressure to assimilate or not be seen as “different.”  What I would say to women beginning their careers in the commercial finance industry is that being different can be a benefit as well.  When you’re the only woman in a meeting or at a dinner, you are harder to forget.  Use that to your advantage.  Instead of sitting back and allowing others to control the conversation around you, contribute to that conversation.  

I would also recommend seeking out other women in the industry, whether it be someone in a similar role, or someone who you engage with on a regular basis as you work through the deal process.  I have found a great network of women in the Boston ABL market.  We all have different backgrounds and professional roles, but we share a lot of similar experiences.  We have lunch together, we golf together, and we have held consistent Zoom cocktail hours throughout COVID.  Having a group of people who support you on both a personal and professional level is an invaluable asset.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

What I enjoy most about my role is the daily interaction with people both inside and outside of the industry.  I spent eight years on the underwriting and portfolio management side of business, and it has been nice to expand upon the relationships formed during that time and to continue to make new ones.  In my originations role, I spend most of my day seeking out new lending opportunities and introducing our product to potential borrowers.  I believe that we have a best-in-class team, and I enjoy having the opportunity to represent them in the market on a daily basis.  I am also competitive by nature, so I enjoy the challenge of winning new business and doing my part to help the team succeed.  

How do you balance work/personal time? 

Balancing work and personal time is an ongoing challenge.  As women, we put incredible pressure on ourselves to do everything perfectly.  Having support at home and in the office has been the key to my success.  I am lucky to have a husband who has a similar professional role, so there is a basic understanding of how demanding the job is and what the expectations around work are.  Our CEO has also been supportive in every aspect of my career and personal life.  Having someone at the top who promotes a culture of work/life balance has been essential in allowing me to get to where I am in my career.  

How can commercial finance organizations attract and retain more women?

It sounds simple, but having more women in senior roles will continue to make the industry more attractive to women.  Some of the large banks have done an excellent job of retaining and promoting women.  That is meaningful because those women serve as mentors to women both inside and outside of their institutions.  While some firms may have a long way to go, the industry itself looks better every day.