Ivory Consulting Corporation’s CEO, Scott Thacker, has been named founding chair of the steering committee for ELFA Equality, the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s new diversity and inclusion initiative, and he has also been elected chair of the Board of Trustees of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation.

ELFA Equality was created to foster diversity and inclusion across the association, its members and the equipment finance industry. In 2018, the ELFA Board of Directors established a Diversity Work Group and added new language to the association’s mission statement and strategic plan affirming its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The Steering Committee will guide further efforts to foster equality, diversity and inclusion.

The ELFA Equality vision statement reads: “ELFA Equality is committed to making sure that all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical characteristics or mental abilities, feel welcome and valued in the equipment finance industry, ELFA and member companies.”

The steering committee will fulfill its vision through:

• Awareness: Providing education, information and insights to identify opportunities for increased diversity participation in ELFA and the equipment finance industry.
• Advocacy: Promoting the advancement of diversity in hiring and volunteering in ELFA and in member companies.
• Action: Preparing programs and mentoring activities that can assist in achieving greater diversity balance.

“The equipment finance industry thrives on innovation, and innovation thrives on diversity,” said Thacker. “Many studies have demonstrated that businesses that embrace diversity, inclusion and equality are more profitable and attract more talented people. The association created ELFA Equality to promote equality everywhere and to welcome everyone. I am honored and humbled to be the founding chair of ELFA Equality and pledge to infuse an equality-first perspective across the equipment finance industry. My appreciation goes out to our robust steering committee—20 people strong—made up of a diverse group of volunteers as well as supportive allies who will work tirelessly to advocate for equality and inclusion for all.”

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation has announced the 2020 slate of officers of its Board of Trustees, which includes Thacker serving as Chair.

“Twenty years ago, as a new ELFA member, I began reading the Foundation’s publications, and as a life-long learner with a healthy curiosity, joined the Research Committee in 2010,” said Thacker. “I quickly understood the Foundation’s impact is significant as professionals throughout the equipment finance world rely on the Foundation’s published economic data and unique data-driven studies. The next two years will be very exciting as we continue our focus on constantly improving the Foundation's two core missions — research and academic outreach — for the benefit of the equipment finance industry.”