OUR STORY
MC² Finance, a 100% woman-owned company, was opened for business in 2015 by Katie Baker, CLFP.
She combined her experience working as a finance manager for a semi-truck dealership (Arrow Truck Sales) with her experience working with a bank for many years to create her own commercial finance brokerage.
MC² Finance represents over 40 commercial banks and lenders nationwide. MC² Finance provides various services and products that you will need to grow your business. We pride ourselves on being true partners with all of our customers.
Our President and Founder
Katie Baker, CLFP, is the founder of MC² Finance.
She started in the finance world as a Finance Manager for Volvo Trucks North America (aka Arrow Truck Sales) in Cincinnati, OH. She worked directly in the truck dealership so she understands the needs of owner-operators, fleet owners, and dealerships firsthand.
Working directly for the dealership allowed her to build a network of lenders and relationships but also to understand every aspect of the transportation industry from the dealership's perspective.
After building a relationship with lenders, Katie worked for a subprime commercial lender to build the company's reach throughout the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast. Working directly for the lender gave her insight into lending decisions, underwriting, business development, marketing, and mitigating the loss of revenue.
Having insight and direct experience in all aspects of the commercial loan process, Katie founded MC² Finance..
In 2022, Katie earned her professional designation as a Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP)
On a personal note, she raised her son who graduated from the University of Notre Dame as a single mom. She has a degree in telecommunications and French. Fluent in French, she began learning the language in school at the age of ten. She studied abroad in both high school and college. From there, her love to travel grew. She has since traveled to over 40 countries and loves culture, languages and embraces learning about the world. She enjoys cooking, yoga, and riding horses. Prior to her career in finance, she worked in IT and healthcare.
Relationships, honesty, and integrity are extremely important to her so she has transferred that mindset to her company's core values. MC² Finance is a company with a ❤️.
Our CFO
Joel Baker, CPA, CLFP has more than two decades of corporate finance experience in manufacturing and distribution spanning the USA and Europe. Joel holds CPA and CLFP designations. He has undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Finance plus a master's in Accountancy. Joel is a member of the AICPA and Kentucky GFOA.
At MC², Joel brings to the table a wealth of knowledge. He assists with underwriting and the financial packages required for our customers to complete their commercial loans.
Joel has served his community as a Treasurer of a girl’s softball league, volunteer Tax preparer for IRS’s VITA program, church deacon, and an active volunteer for the Catholic Church Diocese of Covington.
When he is not counting beans, Joel enjoys traveling with his wife, spending time with his two granddaughters, collecting KY Bourbon, and looking at classic cars.
Our Director of Operations
Valeria Barbon is the driving force behind MC² Finance, serving as our Director of Operations and the heartbeat of our company. With years of dedication to our team, she has played an essential role in building and maintaining the efficiency, structure, and customer-focused culture that define our business. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Valeria ensures that we can effectively serve a diverse range of clients, providing them with the clarity, support, and seamless experience they deserve.
Her expertise spans every aspect of our operations—from managing customer relationships to overseeing critical documentation and streamlining processes that keep the business running smoothly. Valeria’s keen attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and deep understanding of our industry make her an indispensable leader. She thrives under pressure, ensuring that every transaction is handled with precision and every client receives the highest level of service.
Beyond her operational excellence, Valeria is a natural leader, dedicated to the growth and success of MC² Finance. As our company continues to expand, she remains at the forefront, shaping our future and positioning herself to take on an even greater leadership role. Her unwavering commitment, exceptional work ethic, and ability to keep everything moving forward make her not just the backbone of MC² Finance, but its heart and soul.
Our Director of Strategic Partnerships
Ladda Hawkins, our Director of Strategic Partnerships, is committed to helping entrepreneurs in the transportation industry secure the financing they need to grow and succeed. She works tirelessly to connect customers with the right funding solutions, ensuring they have access to the resources necessary to keep their businesses moving forward.
A certified META (Facebook) Group Manager, Ladda brings expertise in brand awareness, social engagement, and community development to strengthen relationships and expand opportunities. She is passionate about fostering inclusivity, work-life balance, and innovation, ensuring that every partnership supports long-term success.
With a strong background in networking and advocacy, Ladda plays a key role in bridging the gap between business owners and financial solutions. Her dedication to empowering entrepreneurs and driving strategic growth makes her an invaluable part of our team.
Our Director of Business Development
Ashton Jones, our Director of Business Development brings a wealth of expertise to MC2 Finance. As the CEO of JDS Logistics, LLC and a CDL holder himself, he has built a reputation for strategic leadership and a deep understanding of the transportation and insurance industries. His experience as a financial services specialist and broker allows him to navigate complex financial landscapes, helping businesses secure the funding and protection they need to grow.
Ashton believes in resilience and integrity, embodying the principle that true character is revealed in times of challenge. His commitment to empowering businesses with tailored financial solutions makes him a valuable asset to the MC2 Finance team.
Ashton draws his inspiration from Martin Luther King Jr. and his words of wisdom: “The measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Our Documentation Specialist
Jess Baraquia, our Documentation Specialist, has a keen eye for details and is dedicated to serving our customers to make the financing paperwork effortless. Jess Baraquia is a highly organized and detail-oriented professional with a strong background in customer service and operational support. With over six years of experience assisting clients across various industries, she brings precision, efficiency, and reliability to our documentation process. Her expertise in managing client communications, coordinating tasks, and handling high volumes of information allows her to provide essential support behind the scenes. Jess plays a crucial role in maintaining smooth workflows and ensuring our customers' financing needs are met efficiently. Her steady and methodical approach helps keep everything on track, making her an integral part of our team.