Channel Adds 25-Year Leader to Credit, Operations

Minnetonka, MN, April 21, 2026 – Channel today announced that Heidi Mukomela has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Credit and Operations. She brings over 25 years of leadership experience in equipment finance, with background spanning operations, risk management, and process improvement.

In this role, Mukomela will oversee Channel’s credit and operations functions, with a focus on improving efficiency, advancing automation initiatives, and supporting strong partner relationships.

“Heidi brings a collaborative leadership style that aligns teams around shared goals and helps build strong, high-performing cultures. Her operational depth, thoughtful approach to strategy, and focus on continuous improvement will be a real asset as Channel continues to grow and evolve,” said Ryan Schlenner, Managing Director.

Before joining Channel, Mukomela most recently served as Lease Operations Director at CoBank, where she led lease operations teams with responsibility for end-to-end processing, including documentation, booking, funding, titles, and insurance. Prior to that, she spent 23 years with U.S. Bank, most notably serving as VP of Equipment Finance Operational Excellence, where she drove enterprise-wide initiatives, risk management, and strategic transformation across complex environments.

“Heidi is someone who truly understands the business end to end in a very real, practical way. She’s spent her career focused on improving processes and thoughtfully applying automation, with a clear eye on building strong, durable risk practices. Just as important, she leads in a way that’s grounded, collaborative, and aligned with how we work at Channel. That combination makes her a natural fit for where we’re headed,” said Adam Peterson, Chief Executive Officer.

Mukomela will lead the team responsible for credit and operations across the organization’s equipment finance and working capital offerings.

About Channel | Founded in 2009, Channel is a nationwide leading provider of small business financing utilizing customized technology and business processes. Channel delivers equipment finance and working capital solutions to small businesses through partnerships with equipment finance companies, helping them provide their customers with access to capital needed to grow their business. Since its founding, Channel has funded over $3 billion to more than 30,000 businesses through over 45,000 transactions, with headquarters in Minnetonka, MN, the company has additional locations and business units operating from Kennesaw, GA, Mount Laurel, NJ, Des Moines, IA, and Marshall, MN.