- 1Heidi Mukomela joins Channel as SVP of Credit and Operations.
- 2She brings 25+ years in equipment finance, most recently at CoBank.
- 3Channel has funded over $3B to 30,000+ businesses since 2009.
Channel, a Minnetonka, Minnesota provider of small business financing, announced on April 21, 2026 that Heidi Mukomela has joined as Senior Vice President of Credit and Operations. She brings more than 25 years of equipment finance leadership spanning operations, risk management and process improvement.
Role and focus
Mukomela will oversee Channel's credit and operations functions, with an emphasis on improving efficiency, advancing automation and supporting partner relationships. She will lead the team responsible for credit and operations across Channel's equipment finance and working capital offerings.
Background
Most recently, Mukomela was Lease Operations Director at CoBank, where she led teams responsible for end-to-end processing including documentation, booking, funding, titles and insurance. Before that she spent 23 years at U.S. Bank, most notably as VP of Equipment Finance Operational Excellence, driving enterprise-wide initiatives, risk management and strategic transformation.
Managing Director Ryan Schlenner said her operational depth and focus on continuous improvement will be an asset as Channel grows. CEO Adam Peterson said she understands the business end to end and has focused on improving processes and applying automation while building durable risk practices.
About Channel
Founded in 2009, Channel works with equipment finance companies to provide small businesses with equipment financing and working capital. It says it has funded more than $3 billion to over 30,000 businesses across more than 45,000 transactions. Besides its Minnetonka headquarters, it operates from Kennesaw, GA; Mount Laurel, NJ; Des Moines, IA; and Marshall, MN.
Why it matters
The hire adds a seasoned operations and risk leader to a company that has funded more than $3 billion to over 30,000 businesses since 2009. Channel serves small businesses through partnerships with equipment finance companies, so credit discipline and efficient operations are central to its model.
Source reporting: deBanked.
