NAGGLNow
In Their Words
Seasoned SBA lending professionals share their real stories, insights & experiences.
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NAGGLNow: In Their Words – Ashley Horner
In the fifth episode of NAGGLNow: In Their Own Words, presented by Reliant Business Valuation, Ashley Horner shares how a chance meeting connected her with NAGGL and how saying YES got her more involved.
Ashley Horner, SBA lender and NAGGL contributor, shares her journey from employee #12 at a small community bank to a leader in SBA education and committee work. She opens up about how a chance FDIC recommendation introduced her to NAGGL in 2014, how saying yes to a nerve-wracking co-presentation launched a career-defining partnership, and why showing up curious (even when the material feels familiar) is the real secret to growth. Ashley also talks about her role developing NAGGL’s Pathways curriculum, the value of investing in your team’s training, and why smaller institutions shouldn’t let limited resources hold them back from getting plugged in. Her parting advice? A genuine compliment costs nothing, and it just might open the next door.
NAGGLNow: In Their Words – Dianna Seaborn
In the fourth episode of NAGGLNow: In Their Own Words, presented by Reliant Business Valuation, Dianna Seaborn shares her journey from SBA lending to SBA career professional to SBA political appointee.
In this candid interview, Diana Seaborn, an SBA career professional and political appointee, reflects on her decades-long career in small business lending. From her early days at Allied Capital in the 1980s to helping lead the trillion-dollar PPP rollout during COVID-19, she shares the lessons she learned from seeing the lending world from both sides of the table. She also discusses the value of industry collaboration in shaping policy and explains why she came out of retirement for one final mission: modernizing SBA technology in a lasting way. This interview is a must-watch for anyone in the SBA lending industry.
NAGGLNow: In Their Words – Caroline Taylor
In the third episode of NAGGLNow: In Their Own Words, presented by Reliant Business Valuation, SBA lending veteran, Caroline Taylor shares her journey from underwriting to running SBA departments.
Caroline didn’t seek out SBA lending — it found her. In this episode, she shares how an unexpected tap on the shoulder launched a career she never saw coming, what it was really like walking into her first NAGGL conference, and the legacy of service she’s focused on building today.
NAGGLNow: In Their Words – Jane Butler
In the second episode of NAGGLNow: In Their Own Words, presented by Reliant Business Valuation, SBA industry pioneer Jane Butler reflects on the passion and purpose that have fueled her lifelong commitment to 7(a) lending.
With more than 50 years of experience in the SBA lending space, Jane shares her remarkable journey through the growth of small business lending, the development of key policies, and the global impact of the industry. Hear her perspective on leadership, adaptability, and what lies ahead for the future of small business financing.
NAGGLNow: In Their Words – Kendra Vincenty
In the first episode of NAGGLNow: In Their Own Words, presented by Reliant Business Valuation, longtime NAGGL member and instructor, Kendra Vincenty shares her journey through the SBA 7(a) lending industry.
From the lessons she’s learned throughout her career to the perspective she’s gained working alongside small businesses, Kendra reflects on the impact of the 7(a) program, the importance of relationship-driven lending, and where she believes the industry is headed in the years to come.