Pictured: Jason Carmona, Jaclyn Kuzma, Joe Massaroni, Abel Ortega and Mitch Rubin

The SFNet Mentoring Program, presented by the Secured Finance Foundation, pairs rising secured finance talent with seasoned industry leaders for a high-impact, virtual mentoring experience. The program, which began in 2022, kicked off on March 20. Here we took a look back at prior participants’ experiences and successful pairings. Stay tuned for SFNet’s Fall Mentoring Program which will feature a first-time reverse mentoring program.

Participants in SFNet’s Mentoring Program engage in bi-weekly 75-minute group sessions (held 12:00–1:15 pm ET) alternating with 1:1 mentor–mentee meetings during off weeks. Topics vary during the weeks such as Goal Setting, PowerPoint Karaoke, a Pathway to Success Panel and Time Management.

A repeat mentor for several iterations in SFNet’s Mentoring Program, Joe Massaroni, managing director, Eastern regional sales manager, Gordon Brothers, has been involved with SFNet since the early 1990s and has enjoyed sharing the knowledge and experience he has gained with younger professionals. He has served as a mentor at various stages of his career, having worked with interns, emerging analysts and associates, so SFNet’s Mentoring Program was a natural fit for him. Massaroni was most recently paired with Jacyln Kuzma, vice president, underwriter, Citizens Bank, for SFNet’s Mentoring Program.

“I try to lead by example and show each mentee how important it is to give back to the industry by teaching and sharing real-life experiences. Massaroni explained. “Every mentoring relationship is unique. Understanding the mentees’ experience level, their professional desires and then tailoring your message to them is extremely important. Developing a good relationship with the mentee will lead to a more meaningful experience. Sometimes I learn more about myself while developing a new relationship with a mentee. It is always interesting to see how their approach to a situation could be different to what I might do, and I’m often amazed to hear the questions they ask.”

Kuzma was searching for experiences outside of her day-to-day role at Citizens Bank that would support her career development and found SFNet’s Mentoring Program fit the bill.

“The ABL industry is comprised of talented professionals with diverse backgrounds and experience. I feel fortunate that these professionals, like Joe, are willing to dedicate some of their time to mentoring rising professionals in the industry,” Kuzma said. “With the help of my mentor, I approached goal setting through two lenses – the first being near-term, measurable goals and the latter being high-level, long-term goals. This dual approach helped me to set more realistic, achievable goals that align with my longer-term career aspirations. Joe has significantly impacted my professional growth by providing thoughtful guidance and constructive feedback through our regular discussions. His willingness to share experiences and challenge my thinking has meaningfully accelerated my professional development.”

One challenge area, Kuzma noted, was on her navigating conflict management.

“I am very appreciative for the honest, candid feedback and guidance from my mentor which helps me view situations from different perspectives in order to find the best path to resolution,” she added. “This mentor relationship has challenged my way of thinking and encourages me to consider multiple perspectives on each situation. My mentor relationship has improved my confidence in my own judgement and ability to navigate complex situations which I likely would not have gained elsewhere.”

With roughly 25 years of commercial finance experience working in portfolio management and business development, Jason Carmona, EVP, Western regional manager, Republic Business Credit, decided to jump in and become a mentor in early 2025.

“Over the course of my career, I have worked for people I tried to emulate. I have also worked for bosses who believed that yelling was a management strategy,” Carmona said. “Both types shaped who I am today. However, it was the people who treated others with respect and took the time to teach me who had the greatest impact on my development and skills. Those are the leaders I try to model today.”  

During Carmona’s early mentoring sessions, he and his mentee shared and learned about each other’s professional and personal lives.

“As a mentor, I challenged my mentee to grow her network and think about how she presented herself within the bank and the broader community. Our meetings became more constructive and there were many times when I was the mentee and she was the mentor, offering me advice. Mentorship works best when both people are willing to listen, learn and share freely.” 

Work challenges, strategic decision making, client situations, and personal endeavors are still discussed today with his former mentee.

“Successful relationships require participation and effort from both people, and the mentor-mentee relationship is no different,” Massaroni added. “You only get out of it what you put into it. That might sound cliché, but it is the cornerstone of a successful mentor-mentee experience.”

Abel Ortega, account manager, Rouse Services, is early in his career and has been intentional about putting himself in environments where he can learn, grow, and build a strong foundation for the long term.

“SFNet has been a big part of that by consistently giving me access to experienced professionals and real opportunities to build meaningful relationships in the industry,” Ortega said. “Through SFNet’s Business Development courses, I gained a better understanding of the field and developed skills that I use regularly in my role today. Joining the Mentoring Program felt like a natural next step. I wanted the chance to learn directly from someone who has successfully navigated the relationship and business development side of the industry and to gain insight that would help me continue to grow.”

Ortega was paired with Mitch Rubin, senior director of Business Development, Tiger Group.

“Mitch built his career on the lender side and most recently transitioned to the services side, which is where I am now. Having that perspective makes him an incredible resource, especially since many of my clients are lenders. He helped me think more strategically and move with greater intention. Through our conversations, I shifted from simply executing my role to thinking more like someone responsible for growing a business. His responsiveness, experience, and confidence pushed me to believe in my ability to expand relationships and add value. He is an excellent role model and someone whose approach to the industry I truly admire.”

“The program starts with mentees interviewing the mentors, and from the onset Abel was well-prepared and eager to ask questions,” Rubin said. “Taking time to learn about the mentee professionally and personally helps develop trust, which is critical to success. Once we established Abel’s goals our conversations were free flowing and a valuable use of time. It helped that Abel attended similar events that allowed additional time for discussions and live networking opportunities.”

Ortega said his biggest takeaway so far has been understanding how central relationships and consistency are to long-term success in the secured finance industry.

“You cannot shortcut trust. While that idea sounds simple, seeing how someone with experience builds, nurtures, and maintains relationships over time gave me a much deeper appreciation for it,” he said. “The mentorship reinforced that success is often less about quick wins and more about showing up repeatedly, being thoughtful, and delivering value over the long run.”

Rubin echoed that, stating his success so far can be attributed to developing relationships, earning trust, and learning how he can help others succeed.

“Industry experience is not something you gain overnight,” Massaroni added. “There is no way to rush it; it simply takes time. I always suggest that every mentee should aspire to be a mentor at some point in their career—to pay it forward and keep the train rolling.”

Ortega plans to return to the Mentoring Program in the future as a mentor.

“My long-term goal is to give back as a mentor and support others as they navigate the same early career transition I experienced,” said Ortega. “I am also particularly excited about the reverse mentorship program SFNet has planned for the fall, which feels like a great intermediary step between being a mentee and eventually mentoring someone who is just starting out.”