SFNet Committee Spotlight: Emerging Leaders Committee

This column highlights the hard work and dedication of SFNet’s Committee volunteers. Here we speak with Boudewijn Smit (pictured), partner at NautaDutilh and chair of SFNet’s Emerging Leaders (Young Professionals) Committee.

Editor’s Note: This article originally was published in the January/February issue of The Secured Lender magazine and contains updated information below about the SFNet Emerging Leaders Summit.

Please provide our readers with background on your career. How did you get started in this industry?

My journey into secured finance began somewhat serendipitously in 2011 when I joined NautaDutilh as a student intern at age 20. I had no idea what to expect from big law, but I landed in the finance practice by chance and was immediately captivated—primarily by the people. The diversity and professionalism of the team made a lasting impression on me. For the first few years, I balanced my studies with work at NautaDutilh, and in 2015, immediately after completing my degree, I joined the firm full-time as an associate. NautaDutilh gave me tremendous opportunities early in my career, including extended stints working abroad—first in New York from 2019 to 2020, then in London from 2021 to 2023. These experiences allowed me to fully immerse myself in cross-border finance practice and develop a truly international perspective on secured lending.

I returned to New York in 2023, where I'm now a partner in NautaDutilh's Finance practice, focusing on complex cross-border transactions. Looking back, what started as a chance placement in a finance practice has become a career I'm genuinely passionate about.

How and why did you decide to get involved in SFNet’s Emerging Leaders (Young Professionals) Committee? What did you enjoy about it?

I first encountered SFNet while living and working in London. At my first International Lending Conference in 2021, I was introduced to young professionals from JPMorgan and Hilco—Jessica Thiel and Jamie Sanchez—and together we recognized an opportunity to create a YoPro chapter in Europe.

We launched the SFNet European YoPro Chapter with the goal of building a community within the community. We organized mentor programs, panel discussions, fireside chats, and social gatherings, particularly before major conferences in Europe. The idea was to ensure young professionals could connect with each other before being immersed in larger events with more seasoned professionals. This created a supportive network that made the broader SFNet experience less intimidating and more accessible.

When I moved back to the United States, I continued these activities, first under the inspiring leadership of Kathleen Parker, and now—as of October 2025—I'm at the helm of the Emerging Leaders Committee myself. What keeps me engaged is simple: the relationships. The connections I've made through SFNet have become lifelong professional friendships, and I want to facilitate that same experience for the next generation.

What have you liked about planning the Emerging Leaders Summit and then seeing it come to fruition and attending it?

Organizing the Emerging Leaders Summit is a significant undertaking. We receive fantastic support from the SFNet team, but there's substantial responsibility in curating the program and recruiting speakers. Despite the weight of that responsibility, the satisfaction of seeing an idea become reality is immense.

My first summit was in Los Angeles in 2024, and because our small planning group had worked so closely together in preparation, the event felt immediately familiar and welcoming. That year, I also participated on a panel about the "Evolution of Inclusivity" in our industry alongside Gammie Chung from Republic Business Credit, Diona Rogers from Thompson Coburn, and Sabrina Singh from Bank of America. I still try to meet up with them for lunch at every annual conference—in fact, just this past November in Los Angeles, I had lunch with two of them along with Kathleen Parker. These are networks for life, and that's exactly what the Summit is designed to create.

As the Committee's new chair, what are your goals for the Committee in 2026? What would you like to see the Committee achieve?

First and foremost, my goal is to fill the considerable shoes of Kathleen Parker. She transformed the Emerging Leaders Summit into what it is today, and I feel a responsibility to steward that legacy carefully.

That said, I do want to lower the barrier to entry even further for young professionals in our industry. My focus areas include: nuts-and-bolts educational panels that demystify the fundamentals of secured finance; continued attention to inclusivity and diversity; and creating more opportunities for meaningful connection among emerging leaders.

If there's one thing I'd want readers to know, it's this: the secured finance industry thrives on relationships. The technical skills matter, the market knowledge matters, but the connections you build—the trust you establish with clients, colleagues, and counterparties—that's what sustains a long and fulfilling career. The Emerging Leaders Committee exists to help young professionals build those connections early, so they have a strong foundation for everything that follows.

I'm particularly excited to pursue these goals alongside my vice chair, Eunice Kepka. Eunice also played a pivotal role in organizing the last Emerging Leaders Summit, and we've discovered that we complement each other exceptionally well. We really enjoy collaborating—our working styles and perspectives mesh in a way that makes the planning process both productive and energizing. With her on the team, I'm convinced this will be a success.

During the SFNet Annual Convention, we had several meetings with SFNet’s Executive Committee, and I was inspired by how consistently they emphasized that the new generation is the future of our industry. There's a clear awareness that emerging leaders must be nurtured—it's essential for continuity. In this context, we've discussed various ideas to lower barriers for young professionals, including dynamic pricing models and encouraging senior members to bring and introduce junior colleagues to events.

We also recognize the challenges: budgets are often limited, and there isn't always financial flexibility for junior professionals to attend conferences. Additionally, younger generations often view in-person meeting opportunities differently—they're more accustomed to a digital world. Personally, I strongly believe in the value of face-to-face meetings. They're the best way to develop genuine connections, and those connections are the most important superpower for long-term success in this industry. The deals I work on where I've met my client in person are easier and more enjoyable because there's already a foundation of trust. You communicate more efficiently, you understand how someone thinks, and you're more transparent with each other.

What can attendees look forward to for this year's Emerging Leaders Summit?

This year we're heading to Atlanta on April 15, 2026! Atlanta is a major U.S. corporate headquarters hub, and we're hoping its central location will attract participants from both the East and West coasts. We want to ensure that young professionals leave the Summit with both practical knowledge they can apply immediately and insights into where the industry is heading.  Our Planning Sub-Committee has been hard at work the past few months putting together an excellent program. We have five great panels and built-in networking opportunities this year.

The event’s first panel, Titans of the Industry: Success, Strategy, and What's Next, will feature seasoned leaders in secured finance who will share firsthand perspectives on building successful careers, teams, and institutions, as well as the current state of the ABL market. Rob Meyers, president, Republic Business Credit, (and this Committee’s first chair), will serve as the moderator. Terry Keating, head of ABL – Valley Bank and Amy Barrentine head of Originations, Regions Business Capital, and Gen Merritt-Parikh, co-CEO and president, Haversine Funding are panelists. 

The Next Generation of ABL: Careers, Challenges, and Opportunities will feature Joye Lynn, head of Underwriting, Wells Fargo, as moderator and panelists will include William Kemp, regional sales manager, Republic Business Credit and Candice Peters, AVP, portfolio manager, Valley Bank.

A colleague of mine at NautaDutilh, Laurens Spelten, is being interviewed in a  Fireside Chat during lunch called Strategic Choices for U.S. Banks in Europe, which will look at howcross-border banking is entering a new phase with Europe's regulatory framework continuing to evolve under Capital Requirements Directive VI.

Our Keynote will follow, featuring Seth Benefield, head of Asset Based Finance Group at Bank of America and Bobbi Acord Noland, Commercial Finance Partner at Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs.

Emerging women leaders who are building successful careers in ABL will share their perspectives in the Women in ABL: Shaping the Future of ABL panel. Moderated by Terry Keating, Valley National Bank, panelists will include the Committee’s co-chair, Eunice Kepka, business development officer, JPalmer Collective; Susan Le Thompson, executive director of Originations, JP Morgan and Marianna Hannart, FVP business development officer, Valley Bank.

Liability Management Exercises: Keys to Avoiding Legal Landmines for ABL Lenders will close out the panels and will examine the most common LME structures, including dropdowns, up tiers, and other priming transactions, and how they have played out in recent market deals and litigation. Bethani R. Oppenheimer, shareholder, Greenberg Traurig will moderate and panelists will include Kevin O'Malley, partner, Blank Rome; Sarah Frazier, partner, Blank Rome; Dan Ennis, partner, Parker Hudson and Rick Thide, partner,  Choate.

The day will conclude with a Joint Reception with attendees from SFNet’s Independent Finance Roundtable, which is held concurrently during the Summit. This is a great opportunity for younger professionals to meet senior executives from non-bank, lender SFNet member companies. Summit attendees will also have the opportunity to attend another joint reception with SFNet’s Executive Committee, Bank CEO Roundtable participants, and SFNet Chapter Leaders on April 14 as well.  As you can see, it will be a busy few days in Atlanta and I am hoping to see many familiar and new faces attend this year!

Can you explain more about collaboration opportunities with the SFNet European Chapter to create more international perspectives?

Given my background as a Dutch lawyer working across multiple jurisdictions, I have a natural affinity for cross-border perspectives. The United States is undeniably the epicenter of the secured finance industry—it's always at the forefront of trends and new developments. From the expanding role of direct lenders to liability management exercises, development which began in the U.S. generally then spreads to Europe.

There's tremendous value in mutual learning. Europe is a critical market for many of us, and there are significant developments on the horizon. For instance, the implementation of CRD VI (the Capital Requirements Directive VI) is introducing new supervisory requirements for credit institutions across the EU, with enhanced rules on ESG risks, digital operational resilience, and proportionality in regulatory treatment. European markets are also grappling with their own evolution in private credit and alternative lending structures.

By maintaining strong ties between the U.S. and European chapters, we can share insights on how different regulatory frameworks are shaping market practices, learn from each other's approaches to emerging asset classes, and ensure our members have a truly global perspective on secured finance.

What are some ways the Committee is encouraging greater participation of young professionals in the industry?

Beyond the initiatives I mentioned earlier—dynamic pricing, senior sponsorship of junior attendees—we're focused on creating programming that speaks directly to where young professionals are in their careers. That means "nuts and bolts" sessions that don't assume extensive prior knowledge, mentorship opportunities that facilitate one-on-one guidance, and social events that make networking less formal and more accessible.

We're also working to demonstrate the tangible value of in-person participation. While I understand the appeal of digital alternatives, I've seen firsthand how the relationships built at SFNet events translate into career opportunities, deal flow, and professional support systems that last decades. Our challenge is to communicate that value proposition effectively to a generation that may be more skeptical of traditional networking events.

Ultimately, we want young professionals to see SFNet not just as a professional organization, but as their community—a place where they can learn, grow, and build the relationships that will define their careers.

When you are not busy at NautaDutilh or volunteering with SFNet, what can you be found doing?

I love immersing myself in New York, London, and Amsterdam nightlife—dancing the night away with friends is my preferred way to completely unwind on weekends. There's something about losing yourself in music in an underground club that provides the perfect counterbalance to the intensity of legal practice.

But just as I can immerse myself in music in a club, I equally enjoy immersing myself in music in a concert hall. I recently bought my tickets for this opera season at the Metropolitan Opera—I'm planning to attend at least one opera almost every month.

During the week, I'm a fanatical CrossFitter and Hyrox athlete. I try to get to the gym six days a week. The discipline and physical challenge provide a different kind of release than music, but both are essential to maintaining balance in my life.

SFNet 2026 Emerging Leaders Committee Members

Chairperson  Boudewijn Smit, NautaDutilh                                                                   

Vice Chairperson Eunice Kepka, JPalmer Collective

Brendan Ahern, Otterbourg P.C.                                               

Justin Alexander, Gordon Brothers                                                         

Damon Dickens, Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC 

Annie Frankenburg, Riveron                                                                       

Clara Goetsch, CR3 Partners                                                                     

Michelle Hayek, Thompson Coburn LLP 

James Keeley, BMO Commercial Bank ABL         

Andrew Knuckles, CB&S Business Capital          

Andrew Marzullo, Thompson Coburn LLP             

Kyler Merck, CR3 Partners

Hagop Nazarian, Blank Rome LLP                                                                         

Emily Jane Neuherz, Capital Foundry, LLC           

Katherine Seghers, Republic Business Credit   

William Tyler, Texas Capital Bank                                                           

James Wollweber, TD Bank                                                                         

Nicholas Zortea, AmeriFactors Financial Group, LLC  

James Keeley, VP, BMO Bank N.A.

As a new member of the Committee, what are you most looking forward to?
I’m excited about the opportunity to collaborate with other members to create events and forums that spark meaningful dialogue around emerging trends in our markets. The annual Emerging Leaders Summit in Atlanta on April 15, 2026, will be a highlight, and enjoyed shaping an agenda with speakers and sessions that attract top talent from across the country—and engaging with that talent firsthand.

What made you decide to join this Committee?

After transitioning from audit to the ABL world, I’ve actively participated in SFNet events in Chicago. Joining this committee felt like the perfect next step to deepen my involvement and connect with more leaders in our industry in a meaningful way.

How is being on this committee helpful for your role at BMO?

SFNet has been instrumental in my transition from audit to banking. It offers both professional development and networking opportunities that broaden my perspective. From educational seminars to meeting new industry contacts, SFNet fosters a community of growth and collaboration. At BMO, success requires critical thinking and a deep understanding of market dynamics, and the network I’ve built through SFNet is one of the most valuable tools I leverage to achieve that.

What are you looking forward to for this year’s Committee?
The year ahead promises the potential for significant change—markets are poised for growth, evolving dynamics between banks and private lenders, global trade tensions, and the future of investments in AI are at the forefront of conversations. I’m eager for our committee to be at the forefront of these conversations and to help create a platform where diverse perspectives can come to life in real time.

Eunice Kepka, business development officer, JPalmer Collective

What do you like about being on the Committee?
This is my fourth year of involvement on the planning committee, and at this point I can confidently say that one of my favorite things is connecting with my peers from across the country to curate the content for each summit. The volunteers range from attorneys to underwriters to originators, so there are always varying insights regarding the market, industry, and career development - this makes for some excellent discussions and collaboration when we plan the panels. I learn so much from the group, both during the planning and the conference itself. 

How is it important or help you in your job?

As an originator (but also an extrovert), it goes without saying that connection is incredibly important. The committee and conference itself allow me to connect with people I may not have otherwise met in my region. Even though half of us are lenders, we all lend differently, right? So, meeting my peers across the spectrum is an opportunity to potentially refer business to each other or collaborate on deals. It only helps open the door for more opportunity!

What are you looking forward to for this year’s Committee?

I’ve enjoyed meeting this year’s group of volunteers! There are always some new faces, and it’s really great to see people wanting to get involved. SFNet has been an invaluable resource for me in my career, particularly since getting involved with the Committee and my local chapter. I hope that the newcomers enjoy the experience, and that this encourages them to get involved in their local chapters.

Hagop Nazarian, associate, Blank Rome

What do you like about being on the Emerging Leaders Committee?
What I enjoy most about being on the Emerging Leaders Committee is the opportunity to stay closely connected to what is happening across the secured finance industry and to help identify and spotlight the topics and trends that matter most to the next generation of industry leaders. The committee plays a meaningful role in shaping programming for the Emerging Leaders Summit, and it is rewarding to contribute to that process.

Through this role I am also able to uncover hot topics and trends across the entire spectrum: shifts in asset based lending dynamics, evolving regulatory and legal factors, innovations in financing structures, and market stress patterns. We are not just reacting to change, we are helping shape what SFNet members are thinking about and talking about. It is exciting to be ahead of the curve and to understand what might be coming next.

I also value the opportunity to engage with bankers, fellow legal professionals, accountants, and other stakeholders. Those interactions broaden my perspective beyond my day-to-day and allow me to see how different segments of our industry approach challenges and opportunities.

How is being on this committee helpful for your role at Blank Rome?

The committee keeps me closely tied to what is happening in the market in real time, which is incredibly valuable in my role at Blank Rome. I am able to bring to my clients and colleagues timely insight on trends, challenges, and opportunities. This perspective is valuable both internally and for our clients, who rely on us to anticipate changes and offer practical, forward-looking guidance.  Equally important is the network that comes with the role. Working alongside SFNet members across different disciplines strengthens my relationships across the industry, helps further strengthen Blank Rome’s active presence in the secured finance community, and creates opportunities for collaboration that extend far beyond the committee itself.

What are you looking forward to for this year’s Committee?

I am looking forward to more of the same—just on a bigger level. Having been involved for a few years now, I am excited to play a larger role in setting the agenda and helping guide the direction of the committee’s programming and initiatives. It is also incredibly rewarding to reconnect with the contacts and friends I have made along the way. Each year becomes more meaningful as those relationships deepen, and I am excited to continue building on that momentum. I am energized by what is ahead and excited about what we can accomplish together this year as Emerging Leaders.