BIOGRAPHIES

BIOGRAPHIES

It’s time! Time to leave the house, leave the office, rejoin your peers, and take advantage of relevant and timely information at this year’s NACM Connect Credit Conference ReConnect Live at the Detroit Marriott Troy, 200 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084. The NACM/Chicago Midwest Board of Directors, NACM Great Lakes Education and Scholarship Committees, and Association staff look forward to seeing you there on November 13.

For more information please contact Lillian Novak at lillian.novak@nacmconnect.org.

It’s time! Time to leave the house, leave the office, rejoin your peers, and take advantage of relevant and timely information at this year’s NACM Connect Credit Conference ReConnect Live at the Detroit Marriott Troy, 200 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084. The NACM/Chicago Midwest Board of Directors, NACM Great Lakes Education and Scholarship Committees, and Association staff look forward to seeing you there on November 13.

For more information please contact Lillian Novak at lillian.novak@nacmconnect.org.

Detroit Marriott Troy | 200 W. Big Beaver Road

Troy, MI 48084

Detroit Marriott Troy | 200 W. Big Beaver Road

Troy, MI 48084

Opening Keynote Speaker | Charlie Ruiz

Charlie Ruiz is a former professional baseball player whose promising career with the Colorado Rockies was unexpectedly cut short by a devastating injury. He

discovered that true success and fulfillment come not just from achievements on the field, but from choosing Presence Over Preference in every aspect of life.

Playing your own game in both the short and long term while staying connected to what matters most. Now, as a performance coach, relationship expert and speaker, Charlie brings practical insights through an approachable. engaging and authentic style of storytelling. Charlie’s coaching and speaking journey starts and continues in the spirit of high-performance. As a former professional athlete, now mental performance coach and communication consultant he’s been integrated in all facets of leadership development and mental performance. 

He’s facilitated upwards of 600 + management training for companies across the start-up and fortune 100 (MLB, Google, Coinbase, SAP, Apple, and Starbucks). Working in professional sports, high- tech and non-profit, he’s coached founders, professional coaches, and C-suite executives in both group and 1:1 settings.

Opening Keynote Speaker | Charlie Ruiz

Charlie Ruiz is a former professional baseball player whose promising career with the Colorado Rockies was unexpectedly cut short by a devastating injury. He

discovered that true success and fulfillment come not just from achievements on the field, but from choosing Presence Over Preference in every aspect of life.

Playing your own game in both the short and long term while staying connected to what matters most. Now, as a performance coach, relationship expert and speaker, Charlie brings practical insights through an approachable. engaging and authentic style of storytelling. Charlie’s coaching and speaking journey starts and continues in the spirit of high-performance. As a former professional athlete, now mental performance coach and communication consultant he’s been integrated in all facets of leadership development and mental performance. 

He’s facilitated upwards of 600 + management training for companies across the start-up and fortune 100 (MLB, Google, Coinbase, SAP, Apple, and Starbucks). Working in professional sports, high- tech and non-profit, he’s coached founders, professional coaches, and C-suite executives in both group and 1:1 settings.

Matt Allison

Trade Credit Professional, Allianz Trade

Originally from Bay City with a Bachelor’s degree from Northwood University and an M.B.A. from The University of Illinois, Matt now calls Livonia, MI his home. With a background in corporate America with two industry-leading CPG companies managing both distribution and financial performance in geographic locations across the Midwest, he moved back home to Michigan for a role with Thomson Reuters in the accounting industry while he finished his MBA with a focus on Finance. Matt works with Allianz Trade combining his love of learning from, helping, and connecting with other professionals with his love for both structure and numbers in the credit profession. He also showcases various professionals weekly on his LinkedIn page.

Matt Allison

Trade Credit Professional, Allianz Trade

Originally from Bay City with a Bachelor’s degree from Northwood University and an M.B.A. from The University of Illinois, Matt now calls Livonia, MI his home. With a background in corporate America with two industry-leading CPG companies managing both distribution and financial performance in geographic locations across the Midwest, he moved back home to Michigan for a role with Thomson Reuters in the accounting industry while he finished his MBA with a focus on Finance. Matt works with Allianz Trade combining his love of learning from, helping, and connecting with other professionals with his love for both structure and numbers in the credit profession. He also showcases various professionals weekly on his LinkedIn page.

Wanda Borges, Esq.

Principal, Borges & Associates

For more than forty years, Ms. Borges has concentrated her practice on commercial litigation and creditors’ rights in bankruptcy matters, representing corporate clients and creditors’ committees throughout the United States in Chapter 11 proceedings, out-of-court settlements, commercial transactions, and preference litigation. She is a member and Past President of the Commercial Law League of America and has been an Attorney Member of its National Board of Governors, a Chair of the Bankruptcy Section, and Creditors’ Rights Section. She is the President of the Commercial Law League Fund for Public Education. She is a member of several bar associations, including the American Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. Ms. Borges serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Commercial Collectors, of which her firm is an associate member. She is an internationally recognized lecturer and author on various legal topics including Bankruptcy Issues such as 503(b)(9) claims and preferences, the Uniform Commercial Code, ECOA, FCRA, antitrust law, and current legal issues such as Credit Card Surcharge issues, social media, Cybersecurity and Ethics for the Trade Credit Grantor and current proposed legislation that may impact trade credit grantors. Ms. Borges has authored, edited, and continues to contribute to numerous publications including Thomson West’s Enforcing Judgments and Collecting Debts in New York (as its Editor-in-Chief and Lead Author), NAB’s book Out of the Red and into the Black, the BCCA’s Credit & Collection Handbook, The Financial Manager, the CLLA’s Commercial Law World Magazine. She is listed in Who’s Who in America. 

Wanda Borges, Esq.

Principal, Borges & Associates

For more than forty years, Ms. Borges has concentrated her practice on commercial litigation and creditors’ rights in bankruptcy matters, representing corporate clients and creditors’ committees throughout the United States in Chapter 11 proceedings, out-of-court settlements, commercial transactions, and preference litigation. She is a member and Past President of the Commercial Law League of America and has been an Attorney Member of its National Board of Governors, a Chair of the Bankruptcy Section, and Creditors’ Rights Section. She is the President of the Commercial Law League Fund for Public Education. She is a member of several bar associations, including the American Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. Ms. Borges serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Commercial Collectors, of which her firm is an associate member. She is an internationally recognized lecturer and author on various legal topics including Bankruptcy Issues such as 503(b)(9) claims and preferences, the Uniform Commercial Code, ECOA, FCRA, antitrust law, and current legal issues such as Credit Card Surcharge issues, social media, Cybersecurity and Ethics for the Trade Credit Grantor and current proposed legislation that may impact trade credit grantors. Ms. Borges has authored, edited, and continues to contribute to numerous publications including Thomson West’s Enforcing Judgments and Collecting Debts in New York (as its Editor-in-Chief and Lead Author), NAB’s book Out of the Red and into the Black, the BCCA’s Credit & Collection Handbook, The Financial Manager, the CLLA’s Commercial Law World Magazine. She is listed in Who’s Who in America. 

Diana Crowe

Regional Director, NACM Southwest

Diana creates an inspired and motivated learning environment to bring focused training for professionals looking to advance their careers, improve customer relationships (both internal and external), effectively communicate, and add to and improve their power skills! Diana has conducted numerous professional trainings for audiences including credit professionals, industry-specific and community groups, along with aspiring and published authors.
In addition to her over thirty years in a variety of corporate cultures, Diana holds a Bachelors in Organizational Management and, under her pen name, she has published many full-length novels and is a USA Today Best-Selling Author. She has been featured in podcasts and published articles in NACM Business Credit Magazine and Credit Research Foundation.

Diana Crowe

Regional Director, NACM Southwest

Diana creates an inspired and motivated learning environment to bring focused training for professionals looking to advance their careers, improve customer relationships (both internal and external), effectively communicate, and add to and improve their power skills! Diana has conducted numerous professional trainings for audiences including credit professionals, industry-specific and community groups, along with aspiring and published authors.
In addition to her over thirty years in a variety of corporate cultures, Diana holds a Bachelors in Organizational Management and, under her pen name, she has published many full-length novels and is a USA Today Best-Selling Author. She has been featured in podcasts and published articles in NACM Business Credit Magazine and Credit Research Foundation.

Thomas Fawkes

Partner, Tucker Ellis

Thomas Fawkes is a partner with the law firm of Tucker Ellis LLP in its Chicago office. Tom focuses his practice on bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and financial restructuring matters, representing official committees, unsecured and secured creditors, debtors, financial institutions, post-confirmation trustees, and asset purchasers in Chapter 11 and 7 bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings, and liquidation proceedings throughout the United States. Tom also assists his clients in structuring commercial transactions with a view towards mitigating the risk of future bankruptcy and insolvency losses. Among other honors, Tom has been recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Workout Law: Commercial, and by Chambers and Partners as one of the leading bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys in Illinois. 

Thomas Fawkes

Partner, Tucker Ellis

Thomas Fawkes is a partner with the law firm of Tucker Ellis LLP in its Chicago office. Tom focuses his practice on bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and financial restructuring matters, representing official committees, unsecured and secured creditors, debtors, financial institutions, post-confirmation trustees, and asset purchasers in Chapter 11 and 7 bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings, and liquidation proceedings throughout the United States. Tom also assists his clients in structuring commercial transactions with a view towards mitigating the risk of future bankruptcy and insolvency losses. Among other honors, Tom has been recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Workout Law: Commercial, and by Chambers and Partners as one of the leading bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys in Illinois. 

Nauman Hafeez

CEO, NetNow

Nauman is the Co-founder & CEO of NetNow, the leading Digital Credit Management system used by wholesalers, distributors, and suppliers across North America. With extensive experience in the Credit and Technology sectors, he has previously served as a Consultant in the Financial Services industry, helping top financial institutions navigate digital transformation and adopt new technologies for Credit and Payments. Over the past few years, he has been working closely with Credit leaders across multiple industries to help design and build the next generation of technologies that can support credit, collections, cash applications, and payments. His expertise and innovative vision continue to drive NetNow’s success in revolutionizing digital credit solutions.

Nauman Hafeez

CEO, NetNow

Nauman is the Co-founder & CEO of NetNow, the leading Digital Credit Management system used by wholesalers, distributors, and suppliers across North America. With extensive experience in the Credit and Technology sectors, he has previously served as a Consultant in the Financial Services industry, helping top financial institutions navigate digital transformation and adopt new technologies for Credit and Payments. Over the past few years, he has been working closely with Credit leaders across multiple industries to help design and build the next generation of technologies that can support credit, collections, cash applications, and payments. His expertise and innovative vision continue to drive NetNow’s success in revolutionizing digital credit solutions.

Michael Papandrea

Counsel, Lowenstein Sandler

Michael Papandrea provides counsel to debtors, creditors’ committees, individual creditors, liquidating trustees, and other interested parties with respect to corporate bankruptcy and creditors’ rights matters, including bankruptcy-related litigation. Mike enjoys keeping clients and relevant industry professionals in the loop regarding bankruptcy, insolvency, and creditor’s rights issues, regularly writing articles for and speaking to professionals in the credit and risk management space. Mike also takes pride in his commitment to the community and provides pro bono representation to individuals and nonprofit organizations regarding bankruptcy and foreclosure-related matters. Prior to joining the firm, Mike held multiple clerkships in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court; he clerked for the Hon. Jerrold N. Poslusny, Jr. (District of New Jersey), the Hon. Ashely M. Chan (Eastern District of Pennsylvania), and the Hon. Gloria M. Burns (Chief Judge, District of New Jersey). Mike applies the valuable insights learned from working closely and directly with these members of the judiciary to his everyday practice.

Michael Papandrea

Counsel, Lowenstein Sandler

Michael Papandrea provides counsel to debtors, creditors’ committees, individual creditors, liquidating trustees, and other interested parties with respect to corporate bankruptcy and creditors’ rights matters, including bankruptcy-related litigation. Mike enjoys keeping clients and relevant industry professionals in the loop regarding bankruptcy, insolvency, and creditor’s rights issues, regularly writing articles for and speaking to professionals in the credit and risk management space. Mike also takes pride in his commitment to the community and provides pro bono representation to individuals and nonprofit organizations regarding bankruptcy and foreclosure-related matters. Prior to joining the firm, Mike held multiple clerkships in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court; he clerked for the Hon. Jerrold N. Poslusny, Jr. (District of New Jersey), the Hon. Ashely M. Chan (Eastern District of Pennsylvania), and the Hon. Gloria M. Burns (Chief Judge, District of New Jersey). Mike applies the valuable insights learned from working closely and directly with these members of the judiciary to his everyday practice.

Brian Shappell, CBF, CICP

Director of Content Strategy and Marketing, Emagia

Brian Shappell, CBF, CICP is Director of Content Strategy and Marketing for Emagia, a leading developer of AI-powered autonomous solutions for Order-To-Cash. During his stint at Emagia, Brian helped launch Gia GPT, the O2C world’s first closed-cloud answer to Chat GPT, and the Emagia AI For Finance podcast, which he continues to host. Prior to his Emagia stint, Brian worked as a lead researcher, content strategist, and marketer for a firm that monitored and analyzed stocks of high-growth companies, typically driven by AI, tech, or the blockchain. Previously, Brian worked for NACM-National for more than seven years, leading its publications division (Business Credit Magazine, eNews) and lobbying/advocacy division (federal bankruptcy reform). Brian also served as a guest instructor for some modules of the Business Credit Principles and Credit Law classes held at NACM’s headquarters in Maryland. Brian graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.

Brian Shappell, CBF, CICP

Director of Content Strategy and Marketing, Emagia

Brian Shappell, CBF, CICP is Director of Content Strategy and Marketing for Emagia, a leading developer of AI-powered autonomous solutions for Order-To-Cash. During his stint at Emagia, Brian helped launch Gia GPT, the O2C world’s first closed-cloud answer to Chat GPT, and the Emagia AI For Finance podcast, which he continues to host. Prior to his Emagia stint, Brian worked as a lead researcher, content strategist, and marketer for a firm that monitored and analyzed stocks of high-growth companies, typically driven by AI, tech, or the blockchain. Previously, Brian worked for NACM-National for more than seven years, leading its publications division (Business Credit Magazine, eNews) and lobbying/advocacy division (federal bankruptcy reform). Brian also served as a guest instructor for some modules of the Business Credit Principles and Credit Law classes held at NACM’s headquarters in Maryland. Brian graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.

Aaron Tham

Account Executive, Nuvo

Aaron Tham works in Growth and Partnerships at Nuvo, where he helps businesses to automate customer onboarding, mitigate fraud, and better assess risk across their portfolios. With 7 years of experience in Data, Logistics, and Technology Services before Nuvo, Aaron has firsthand insight into both the power of new technologies and the unique risks they present to B2B businesses, particularly in the realm of Fraud and Due Diligence.

Aaron Tham

Account Executive, Nuvo

Aaron Tham works in Growth and Partnerships at Nuvo, where he helps businesses to automate customer onboarding, mitigate fraud, and better assess risk across their portfolios. With 7 years of experience in Data, Logistics, and Technology Services before Nuvo, Aaron has firsthand insight into both the power of new technologies and the unique risks they present to B2B businesses, particularly in the realm of Fraud and Due Diligence.