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Looking Back at SFNet's 81st Annual Convention in Los Angeles
December 11, 2025
By Katherine Seghers
One Convention, Infinite Potential
SFNet’s Annual Convention provides unique opportunities for young professionals
The Secured Finance Network’s 81st Annual Convention, held November 11-13 in Los Angeles, provided the perfect opportunity for young professionals to accelerate their career growth. From community service events to networking opportunities to career-defining sessions, the conference boasted multiple chances for young professionals to network and learn. Here, Katherine Seghers, VP, senior accountant, Republic Business Credit, provides an event recap.
Volunteering Event at Laundry Truck LA
Almost two dozen secured finance professionals helped Laundry Truck LA, a non-profit organization created to provide laundry and other vital services to those in need. Our team volunteered, packed food, built hygiene kits and made sandwiches.
“It felt good to do something different and give back to the community,” said Eunice Kepka, business development officer at JPalmer Collective.
New Members/Young Professionals/First Time Attendees Reception
Designed as a smaller-scale networking event, this event provided a priceless moment for attendees by combining young professionals and first-time attendees of all experience levels. “The reception is a great way to bond with peers while also having the opportunity to be around professionals more senior. You can’t help but walk away feeling encouraged about the future,” stated Kepka.
Networking Opportunities/After-Hours Events
“Getting to know people in a more informal setting is so valuable – this is what helps form friendships, not just ‘acquaintance-ships,” said Kepka.
From happy hours to group dinners, these events are always a highlight for convention attendees, especially young professionals. These experiences present perfect opportunities to establish and grow relationships that will assist with long-term career success.
Panels and Roundtables
Equally as important as networking, convention panels provided an opportunity to learn about the latest trends while also hearing powerful firsthand stories from industry professionals. Panels can also serve an unexpected yet notable purpose: “A valuable yet practical reason I attend the sessions is to use it as an icebreaker during the networking events. I often open a conversation by thanking the panelists for their insights. Thanking them for their time on a panel is a wonderful way to introduce myself and make a connection that otherwise I may have been too shy or intimidated to make!” shared Emily Neuherz, senior associate at Capital Foundry.
The Day One to Decades: Building Lasting Careers in Commercial Finance panel, moderated by Jacob McCarthy, and featuring panelists Lydia Gouhin, vice president, Originations, Wells Fargo Capital Finance; Hagop Nazarian, associate, Concentration on corporate finance, restructuring, and bankruptcy matters, Blank Rome LLP; Deni Volkoff, VP relationship manager, ABL, Huntington National Bank and Ying Yang, SVP, director of Business Development, Rosenthal Capital Group reflected back on their own careers, sharing the success (and learning opportunities) that shaped their career path.
“It was refreshing to hear how other young professionals are finding their groove,” stated Neuherz. Panelists also spent a great deal of time discussing the importance of mentorship, a concept Neuherz is excited to lean more into. “A mentor is worth their weight in gold.”
Planning to attend next year?
Kepka, Neuherz, and Seghers shared their top tips for turning the conference into a successful growth opportunity.
Take advantage of programming: A successful professional is a knowledgeable professional. Take the opportunity to learn from mentors, associates & friends and build a well-rounded perspective.
Build your village: Networking can be tough, but its career benefits are absolutely essential. The more people you meet, the bigger your network becomes. Industry titans, associates and mentors are invaluable, but equally important are the peers that you can evolve with. Conferences are the perfect place to make those connections. You don’t have to wait until the next conference to start - if you’re able to attend local events, go! The more events you attend, the more comfortable you become at networking.
Have the right mindset: “This is a marathon, not a sprint”: There is no shortage of networking and education opportunities from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. Be intentional with who you want to meet and what you want to learn, while also taking care of yourself with breaks and a good night’s rest.
(Author’s note: The SFNet offers a bi-annual mentorship program which all those featured in this article have participated in. We would like to take a moment to extend a huge thank you to Jill Kirshenbaum, Matthew Begley and Tina Capobianco for the invaluable impact they have had on our careers.)
SFNet’s Annual Convention provides unique opportunities for young professionals
The Secured Finance Network’s 81st Annual Convention, held November 11-13 in Los Angeles, provided the perfect opportunity for young professionals to accelerate their career growth. From community service events to networking opportunities to career-defining sessions, the conference boasted multiple chances for young professionals to network and learn. Here, Katherine Seghers, VP, senior accountant, Republic Business Credit, provides an event recap.
Volunteering Event at Laundry Truck LA
Almost two dozen secured finance professionals helped Laundry Truck LA, a non-profit organization created to provide laundry and other vital services to those in need. Our team volunteered, packed food, built hygiene kits and made sandwiches.
“It felt good to do something different and give back to the community,” said Eunice Kepka, business development officer at JPalmer Collective.
New Members/Young Professionals/First Time Attendees Reception
Designed as a smaller-scale networking event, this event provided a priceless moment for attendees by combining young professionals and first-time attendees of all experience levels. “The reception is a great way to bond with peers while also having the opportunity to be around professionals more senior. You can’t help but walk away feeling encouraged about the future,” stated Kepka.
Networking Opportunities/After-Hours Events
“Getting to know people in a more informal setting is so valuable – this is what helps form friendships, not just ‘acquaintance-ships,” said Kepka.
From happy hours to group dinners, these events are always a highlight for convention attendees, especially young professionals. These experiences present perfect opportunities to establish and grow relationships that will assist with long-term career success.
Panels and Roundtables
Equally as important as networking, convention panels provided an opportunity to learn about the latest trends while also hearing powerful firsthand stories from industry professionals. Panels can also serve an unexpected yet notable purpose: “A valuable yet practical reason I attend the sessions is to use it as an icebreaker during the networking events. I often open a conversation by thanking the panelists for their insights. Thanking them for their time on a panel is a wonderful way to introduce myself and make a connection that otherwise I may have been too shy or intimidated to make!” shared Emily Neuherz, senior associate at Capital Foundry.
The Day One to Decades: Building Lasting Careers in Commercial Finance panel, moderated by Jacob McCarthy, and featuring panelists Lydia Gouhin, vice president, Originations, Wells Fargo Capital Finance; Hagop Nazarian, associate, Concentration on corporate finance, restructuring, and bankruptcy matters, Blank Rome LLP; Deni Volkoff, VP relationship manager, ABL, Huntington National Bank and Ying Yang, SVP, director of Business Development, Rosenthal Capital Group reflected back on their own careers, sharing the success (and learning opportunities) that shaped their career path.
“It was refreshing to hear how other young professionals are finding their groove,” stated Neuherz. Panelists also spent a great deal of time discussing the importance of mentorship, a concept Neuherz is excited to lean more into. “A mentor is worth their weight in gold.”
Planning to attend next year?
Kepka, Neuherz, and Seghers shared their top tips for turning the conference into a successful growth opportunity.
Take advantage of programming: A successful professional is a knowledgeable professional. Take the opportunity to learn from mentors, associates & friends and build a well-rounded perspective.
Build your village: Networking can be tough, but its career benefits are absolutely essential. The more people you meet, the bigger your network becomes. Industry titans, associates and mentors are invaluable, but equally important are the peers that you can evolve with. Conferences are the perfect place to make those connections. You don’t have to wait until the next conference to start - if you’re able to attend local events, go! The more events you attend, the more comfortable you become at networking.
Have the right mindset: “This is a marathon, not a sprint”: There is no shortage of networking and education opportunities from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. Be intentional with who you want to meet and what you want to learn, while also taking care of yourself with breaks and a good night’s rest.
(Author’s note: The SFNet offers a bi-annual mentorship program which all those featured in this article have participated in. We would like to take a moment to extend a huge thank you to Jill Kirshenbaum, Matthew Begley and Tina Capobianco for the invaluable impact they have had on our careers.)
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