Commercial Factor Q&A: Tania Daniel Discusses Her Vision for the IFA

In an exclusive Q&A with Commercial Factor, Tania Daniel, the International Factoring Association’s new executive director, discussed her career in factoring as well as what she hopes to accomplish with the IFA.

The International Factoring Association named industry veteran Tania Daniel its executive director to start 2022. Daniel, who is a longtime member of the factoring industry and the IFA, brings a wealth of experience from her time with ENGS Commercial Capital, Porter Capital and LSQ Funding Group to her role leading the IFA. Daniel sat down with Commercial Factor to discuss her career, her vision for the IFA and how she hopes to continue the late Bert Goldberg’s mission of providing education and expertise about factoring to the commercial finance industry.

For those who don’t know you, can you tell me about your background and your experience in the factoring industry?

Tania Daniel: I began my career in factoring at LSQ Funding in Orlando, FL. I was in my mid-20s and I started there in an entry level role. I would perform cash posting, data entry, and make collection phone calls. I worked my way up into a relationship manager role and then a portfolio manager role before I relocated from Orlando to Birmingham, AL, to work with Porter Capital. At Porter, I started out as the vice president of operations and ended up as their COO. From there, I left to start ENGS, which was a de novo operation.  I built that factoring group with the help of several trusted and longtime colleagues and then led the company through its acquisition to Mitsubishi Capital.

When and how were you first introduced to the IFA? What was that experience like?

Daniel: I went to my first IFA training class in the early 2000’s. I remember being so excited to go because I loved factoring and was very interested in growing my career. I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about the industry and to make connections within the space. I came back to work with so many ideas and couldn’t wait to share them with my colleagues. Those Las Vegas training sessions are where I first met industry veterans that became my mentors and who are still my friends today.  IFA training classes and networking opportunities have been such an influential part of both my personal and professional growth. That’s one of the things that's really important to me, especially now as executive director, is getting younger members or people newer to the industry as excited to get involved in the IFA as I was when I first went to an event.

You’ve been an active member of the IFA for years. Why is it an important organization to you?

Daniel: While the factoring community is large, it is also a tight knit network of people who care about each other, even if they’re competitors. I've learned so much over the years from the association and its members and continue to learn something new every time I'm part of an IFA event. The wealth of knowledge that is shared amongst the members, the advocacy work that is performed on behalf of the industry, and the long-lasting connections that develop are what make the IFA an integral part of many factors’ daily lives.

You’re going to be the second executive director of the IFA. What was the process of taking on this role like?

Daniel: Last summer, Bert Goldberg and I started talking about his plans for the IFA when he no longer could serve as the executive director and those conversations started to turn into something really special. Ultimately, Bert told me he would like for me to take on that role and while the circumstances surrounding the transition were so difficult and emotional, it felt like the right next step for both of us. So, over the course of several months up until he passed away in November, Bert and I talked all the time about what it meant to run the IFA, what has made it so successful, and what our combined vision for the future of the IFA was. Through all of that, I fell in love with the association even more and have been honored that Bert gave me this opportunity and humbled by the support of our members.

Why do you think you were the right choice to lead the association?

Daniel: The various levels of experience I've had in factoring, from entry level to senior executive roles, to starting a factoring company as well as being an IFA advisory board member and long time attendee of  IFA events will help to bring a different perspective to this role. I know firsthand what factors experience and go through, the challenges they face and how the IFA can support them. I hope to use my experience to find ways to better serve our members and the factoring community.

What are your goals for the association in 2022 and beyond and how will you help it accomplish them?

Daniel: First and foremost, the mission is to honor what Bert built because it's an amazing association. I believe the best way to accomplish that is by carrying on Bert’s legacy for future generations.  To do that the IFA should invest in the younger generation and/or the folks that are newer into factoring to ensure that the IFA stays impactful for years to come.  One way to accomplish that is by providing them with opportunities to find a mentor or get connected with established members in order to learn more about the industry and grow their network.  I would also like to see the IFA use its platform to provide more education in the marketplace about factoring in order to create more opportunities for our members.

I know you’ve also been involved with the American Factoring Association. What are your priorities for that part of the organization?

Daniel: The AFA is doing a great job and has really built up the membership over the last several months thanks to its current board.  My priority is to continue to get the word out to the IFA membership about how important the AFA is to the factoring community and why every member of the IFA should also be a member of the AFA.  Since the IFA is the only association dedicated to the factoring community and the AFA is the only advocacy platform solely focused on factor’s rights, there is no better group prepared to protect the best interest of factors and every factor should want to support that.