Today the Structured Finance Association (SFA) and their President, Kristi Leo, announced her plan to depart after more than a decade working with the organization. Leo will continue to serve as President until the end of June and will assist Michael Bright, SFA CEO, and the team transition her responsibilities.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Structured Finance Association in multiple capacities for over a decade,” Leo said.  “I am incredibly grateful to the endless number of truly talented, dedicated past and present SFA staff, members and policymakers who made my time at SFA a true gift even during the most challenging times we faced together.”

“The SFA team and membership is filled with exceptionally brilliant people without whom so much of the Association’s success would not be possible,” Leo added.  “I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved in protecting and promoting responsible lending and capital markets products.  I still believe as strongly as ever in SFA’s mission and look forward, as should you, to the significant value that the Structured Finance Association will continue to have in ensuring the health of our capital markets and its ability to support affordable credit being available to all American communities and their businesses.”

“It’s hard to leave something you love – which is why I stayed much longer than I expected – but now it’s time for me to take on new challenges and write the next chapter of my life and career.  Over the next three weeks, I will support Michael and the team in transitioning my responsibilities.  Thank you to my colleagues and our members who continue to inspire me every day, and to our current and past Board of Directors and our CEO, Michael Bright, for providing me this opportunity.”

“SFA has gone through enormous change over the past few years, and Kristi’s industry knowledge, relentless work ethic, and poise have been critical elements to our success,” said Michael Bright, CEO, Patricia Schulze, Board Chair, and Nancy Handal, Board Vice Chair of SFA.  They continued, “Her reputation with SFA member firms as a steadfast leader has helped us accomplish great things in Washington and beyond.  She has built a reputation in and around DC as an honest and thoughtful representative for our industry.  She has served as a critical go-to resource for regulators and the Hill on every major initiative we’ve undertaken.  And she has earned the respect of elected officials and key regulatory heads alike.”

“There is no way to “replace” Kristi Leo.  There is also no way I can adequately thank her for her service to SFA and to the entire market this organization represents.  But we will build off her impressive work, and I know that she will do exceptionally well in any endeavors she pursues.  I very much look forward to seeing her continue to serve in important roles in our economy, and I wish her nothing but the absolute best in everything she does,” added Michael Bright.