Shari Lipski Named to Monitor’s 2025 Most Influential People

Northbrook, Illinois — ECS Financial Services is proud to announce that Shari Lipski, Principal at ECS Financial Services, has been named one of Monitor’s 2025 Most Influential People in Equipment Finance. In the magazine’s annual recognition issue, Lipski was honored in the “Mentor Extraordinaire” category, celebrating her career-long commitment to developing new talent, championing women in the industry, and advancing professional standards in equipment finance.

Lipski’s recognition reflects her decades of leadership, her tireless advocacy for inclusivity, and her hands-on mentorship of the next generation of lease accountants and industry professionals. She has served on more than 20 industry councils and boards, including the Equipment Lease & Finance Association (ELFA), the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA), the Certified Lease and Finance Professional Foundation (CLFP), the Structured Finance Network – Midwest Chapter (SFNet), and the Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors (EAEL). Through these roles, she has helped shape policy, ethics, and best practices that have strengthened the industry as a whole.

A Mentor at Every Stage

As her award title suggests, mentoring has been the cornerstone of Lipski’s career. In 2025 alone, she served as a mentor in the ELFA Mentorship Program, guiding emerging professionals through career development, leadership growth, and navigating industry challenges. Since 2008, she has also served as a guest lecturer at leading universities such as Arizona State, Vanderbilt, and Georgia State, introducing students to real-world applications of equipment finance and inspiring future industry leaders.

In addition, Lipski has taught at the Institute for Leasing Professionals and led technical workshops on leasing principles and tax compliance, elevating the professionalism of the field. Within ECS Financial Services, she continues to mentor new talent by sharing her expertise, providing networking opportunities, and building lasting relationships that support long-term career success.

Advocacy for Women in Equipment Finance

Lipski has been a trailblazer for gender equity in the industry. She co-founded the ELFA Women’s Council and chairs NEFA’s Women in Leasing Committee, both of which have created platforms for women to connect, lead, and thrive in a traditionally male-dominated space. She also owns and moderates the Women in Leasing LinkedIn Group, an online community that fosters mentorship, collaboration, and visibility for women across the industry.

Thought Leadership and Industry Presence

Beyond mentoring, Lipski has raised the visibility of equipment finance through thought leadership and public engagement. She has published more than ten articles in Monitor Magazine, NEFA Newsline, and LeasingNews.org, covering critical topics from tax compliance to outsourcing strategies to gender equity. She has also represented ECS at more than 15 industry events in 2025 alone, consistently positioning the firm as a thought leader and an inclusive workplace.

Celebrating a Lasting Impact

Shari’s recognition as a Mentor Extraordinaire is more than an individual honor; it represents the ripple effect of her career-long dedication to mentoring, teaching, and opening doors for others. Her influence can be seen in the many professionals she has helped guide, the platforms she has built, and the inclusive culture she continues to champion. This award highlights not only her achievements, but also the lasting legacy she is creating for the equipment finance industry.