NAF Networks: 2026 Spring Virtual Meetup
A space for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development
Join Us Virtually
Event Details
Join us for an interactive NAF Networks Virtual Meetup, where industry professionals connect and share insights on key challenges and opportunities. This session is designed to foster meaningful discussions and exchange best practices across key disciplines.
In one focused hour, we'll begin with a brief General Session offering a big-picture look at the trends and forces influencing auto finance in 2026. The conversation will set the stage with strategic perspective and thought-provoking insights for industry leaders.
From there, connect with peers and swap what’s working now across Leadership, Operations, Servicing, and Technology: the four NAF Networks designed to help members share practical approaches, benchmarks, and tools.
What you’ll get in 60 minutes:
- Straight talk on the trends shaping non-prime auto finance
- Rapid round-robin updates on hot topics peers are tackling now
- Practical takeaways you can use immediately
- New connections for follow-ups after the meetup
🌟General Session: A Fireside Chat with NAF President Suzi Straffon and a Leading Auto Finance Executive
NAF President Suzi Straffon, Finance Company Market Director with Allied Solutions, will sit down with Kristin Karwat, Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Financial Solutions, for a candid conversation to examine the broader trends shaping auto finance in 2026. Together, they’ll share perspective on the forces influencing our industry and what leaders should be thinking about as we move forward, setting the stage for meaningful peer dialogue and collaboration in the sessions that follow.
🔄️Breakout Discussions: NAF Networks in Action
Following the general session, participants will move into virtual breakout rooms for facilitated small-group discussion. Each breakout will explore how the day’s topic applies within its specific area of focus, while also providing space to discuss other pressing issues and opportunities relevant to your role.
Meet Your Breakout Facilitators:
- Leadership: Ray Knapp, Chief Operating Officer, Midwest Acceptance Corp.
- Operations: Stacie Grueser, Chief Commercial Officer, United Auto Credit
- Servicing: Allison Morle, Chief Compliance Officer, Cinch Auto Finance
- Technology: Ed Knipping, Product Manager Next Generation Technologies, Santander Consumer USA
💡Maximize Your Team’s Impact
Bring your colleagues! Having a representative in each breakout group ensures your team gains a well-rounded perspective across all key areas. The more voices, the more valuable the takeaways!