Equipment Finance Cares is putting together a Connecticut regional event in Norwalk on May 13, 2026. North Mill Equipment Finance and the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) are co-hosting.
The day will mix hands-on community service with forward-looking talks about leadership, company culture, and the changing role of technology in equipment finance. Folks from all over Connecticut—Norwalk, Stamford, Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Danbury, Waterbury, and Greenwich—plan to gather, learn, volunteer, and connect. It’s a good chance to strengthen professional ties that help the wider Connecticut business scene.
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Event Overview and Local Impact
Organizers say this event is more than just panels and networking. They really want to give back to communities tied to equipment finance.
The morning kicks off with a volunteer activity meant to make a real difference in local neighborhoods. They’re reaching out to bigger towns like Milford and Bristol and also smaller spots such as Middletown.
This service part shows Equipment Finance Cares’ ongoing commitment to supporting people and places connected to the industry in cities like Norwalk, Stamford, and New Haven.
The rest of the day will focus on honest conversations about leadership, culture, and the changing human side of the industry. Technology—especially artificial intelligence—keeps weaving itself into daily operations, and the event wants to dig into that.
They’re hoping for real talk about how leaders can steer positive change while still holding onto the human values that build trust and long-term success. This matters to firms everywhere from Waterbury to Greenwich.
Panel Focus: The Human Side of Equipment Finance
The main program features a straight-shooting discussion on the human side of leading in a tech-driven field. Mark Bonanno, President & Chief Revenue Officer of North Mill Equipment Finance, will moderate.
Panelists include:
- Eric Miller — Ansley Park Capital
- Dominic Janney — Cannon Equipment Finance
- Josh Power — Golden Capital
- Wren Rex — Post Road
These industry leaders bring insights from all corners of Connecticut’s equipment finance world. They’ll talk about how culture, mentorship, and open leadership help teams as technology changes the way work gets done.
The discussion should offer practical tips for executives, managers, and up-and-coming professionals working in cities like Stamford, Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven.
The Human Element of AI: An Interactive Session
The Human Element of AI will be the focus of an interactive session led by RJ Grimshaw. He plans to explore how artificial intelligence is changing underwriting, portfolio management, and client interactions.
Even as more automation and smarter data analytics come online, Grimshaw will stress the ongoing need for human judgment, empathy, and leadership. He’ll share ideas for keeping client relationships meaningful and making sure ethical decision-making doesn’t get lost—something lenders and financiers in Norwalk and nearby towns can put into practice right away.
Mark Bonanno from North Mill believes AI and other tech should support—not replace—the human connection that keeps trust alive in the equipment finance community. The session will spark conversations about balancing innovation with the values that matter most, making sure decisions stay rooted in accountability and service for customers from Danbury to Middletown.
The interactive format should encourage open talk about leadership, culture, and where this fast-evolving industry is headed.
Volunteer Day, Networking, and Community Building
The day wraps up with structured networking, all meant to spark deeper professional relationships across Connecticut’s equipment finance community. Folks from Norwalk and nearby towns—like Stamford, Bridgeport, Waterbury, New Haven, Greenwich, and Danbury—will have plenty of chances to swap insights and talk about best practices.
People can explore new collaborations as well. By mixing a day of service with honest conversations about leadership and AI-driven change, the event hopes to strengthen the industry network from the ground up.
It’s also a chance to shine a light on Connecticut’s spot as a regional hub for equipment finance innovation. The morning kicks off with volunteer work, and the day winds down with a networking session that feels pretty genuine.
Leaders and professionals from all over—Norwalk, Stamford, Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Danbury, Waterbury, Greenwich—can walk away feeling a bit more prepared to guide their organizations with some real humanity and vision. Maybe even a little more resilience, too.
Here is the source article for this story: Equipment Finance Cares Heads to Connecticut
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