2021 Mortgage Star Awards

2021 Mortgage Star Awards

SHINING A LIGHT ON WOMEN WHOSE WORK LIGHTS UP THE INDUSTRY

In an industry that often runs on swagger and braggadocio, there are times it’s reassuring to step back and pay attention to those in the mortgage world whose work serves as an inspiration to all of us. And given the additional hurdles that women in the workplace have to deal with, we’re especially proud of this year’s selection of Mortgage Stars – Women Who Rise Above The Rest.

To be a Mortgage Star doesn’t mean that someone has achieved all their goals yet. It doesn’t mean, necessarily, that they have achieved the pinnacle of their career. It simply means that when we look at this person’s accomplishments, their philosophies, the way they support those around them, that we can find in them a spark that makes us want to be better ourselves.

Can we do more for clients? Can we be better mentors to our colleagues? Can we set goals for ourselves to achieve what others have shown is possible?

The women on these pages each has a personal story of their success, and in those stories each of us can connect to something that can inspire us to be better in some way. And in that inspiration, we can also find its sibling, admiration. Because while we strive to do as well as these honorees, we also realize that they’ve already done it. So please join with us at Mortgage Women Magazine as recognize the 2021 class of women who rise above the rest, our Mortgage Stars.

Ashley Abbondanza

SVP, Operations SingleSource

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

As luck would have it, this was my first job straight out of college. I graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a pre-med certificate. I was looking to take a break and get started paying off that student debt before heading to graduate school. Little did I know, I would be here 15 years later having taken every opportunity afforded to me to grow with our company. In my role at SingleSource, I get the advantage of constantly asking what is next, where are we going, what can we do better. It is very challenging to constantly try to reinvent yourself and your teams, but that is where we thrive – we are innovators. I work with some of the most adaptable, flexible and thoughtful people who constantly are asking more of me as a leader and a peer.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

The mentorship that I benefitted from was organic and began with trust. They knew I was going to show up and give it my best and I knew that if I made a mistake, they would not crush me. In this industry, mistakes have consequences, but we learn through trying and that is the mentality that I apply to any mentoring or coaching that I attempt. Historically, I didn’t focus a lot on explicitly mentoring those around me. I was always laser focused on tasks and reaching goals that I never stopped to bring others along with me. At this stage in my career, I see the opportunities I missed and my team members that would have benefitted from time in a different mindset.

Patti Adamson

Sr. Loan Officer VanDyk Mortgage

Why Patti Adamson Was Nominated

Stephen Katz, VanDyk Mortgage Branch Manager, said he nominated Patti Adamson, a senior loan officer at VanDyk, has achieved her success from being a happy person who knows how to work hard, work smart and while surrounding herself with a strong support team.

“As Patti talks to prospects on the phone they find comfort in her genuine sense of caring and when she meets with agents they want to send her business and become friends…and many have. Patti will tell you herself that she “likes” mortgages, but she “loves” people.

Adamson made Presidents Club both in units and volume despite a challenging year with a couple medical bouts that would prevent most people from working. Katz said, “Patti is a competitor like all great salespeople, but I believe what kept her going was her insane desire to never let anybody down. It’s all about people. “Patti has been winning production awards for years but it was really special this year when Patti won a company customer satisfaction survey award with an overall score of 4.95/5.00. To me, this was no surprise. I often joke that it takes two hours to meet Patti for lunch as we often get interrupted by past customers with hugs and stories of how Patti helped them buy a house and change their lives.”

Luisa Bedoya

Vice President / Senior Loan Officer MSA Mortgage LLC

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?.

I got into this field to fulfill the dream of homeownership within the Hispanic community. I enjoy engaging the Hispanic community by educating and developing alternative ways to qualify for a home loan. The people I’ve helped along the way and the ones I have yet to meet motivate me to stay.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

The support I receive at MSA Mortgage is second to none. The owner of the company (Bob Deeb) has taught me so much about the mortgage industry throughout the years and I am extremely thankful. There have been countless moments in my life where I had to lean on someone that I trusted for advice or assistance. Whether the person you turn to is a colleague, friend, family member or other, the importance of mentors is undeniable. Mentoring shows people that they matter, they aren’t alone and someone cares for them. I’d like to think that I’ve been a positive role model / mentor to my amazing Team Bedoya. They’re young, energized and extremely bright and I love watching them grow in their careers.

Heather Belair

Vice President - Executive Liaison, Branch & Lending Operations Bay State Savings Bank

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I started with Bay State Savings Bank as a student teller in the high school banking program. Since then, I have grown into a branch supervisor, then virtual branch manager, and most recently my current role as vice president and mortgage loan officer. I have always had a passion for customer service, so it was a natural move to work one-on-one with homebuyers to help them achieve their financial goals. My motivation comes from the reward of seeing the joy on a homeowner’s face or hearing the excitement in their voice in helping them find their dream home.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I have been fortunate to work with some great female mentors. Mentoring is so important to young, aspiring women, especially in such a competitive field. The right mentor can help you build confidence, challenge convention, and aspire to be greater. My most influential mentor taught me to always share my ideas and knowledge with others, which, coincidentally, is one of my favorite parts of being a supervisor.

Jenna Biancavilla

Producing Branch Manager Geneva Financial

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

My career plan was to be in the investment management business. In 2009, when the entire financial services industry was losing salespeople left and right, I somehow managed to begin a career in both lending and investing simultaneously. It just so happened that my mentor at the time was dually licensed, and I followed his lead and never looked back. I began working with Geneva Financial in 2014 and have been blessed to grow with such a human-focused company. I find the company’s mission and core values to be perfectly aligned with my personal purpose, which is to make people’s lives and the world a better place. Client testimonials stating that their lives have been changed for the better and positively impacted because of our interactions will always motivate me to stay motivated and humanfirst focused.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I have not been fortunate enough to have female mentors. However, I try to make myself available as a mentor to younger women in the industry. I have, however, had many male mentors. I’ll never forget what one of my early mentors shared with me. He said, “Starting a business is never easy or convenient, it’s the most difficult path you can take. But if you can get through the weeds, it’s the most rewarded route.” Since then I’ve been on a quest to always have mentors in my life.

Michelle Bruto da Costa

Mortgage Loan Officer/Branch Manager Homebridge Financial Services, Inc.

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

When I bought my first house, we had a fairly horrific experience with a broker. All of our loan terms were changed at the last minute, including being switched from a fixed to an ARM. I worked in the appraisal side of the industry at that time and decided to pursue becoming a loan officer so that I could offer people a much better experience when buying a home. Helping families navigate the home buying process, many having been turned away in the past and seeing them have a chance to live the American dream and build their family’s wealth and a better future through homeownership, has continued to drive me day after day.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I have had the pleasure of being mentored by Rose Marie David, who leads the division of Homebridge I work for. She has continually demonstrated servant leadership and I have seen her lay down her own needs to serve those who work for her. I really enjoy mentoring others so they may have the opportunity to succeed. I love the quote, “If I have seen further, it is because I stood on the shoulders of giants,” by Sir Isaac Newton. Product knowledge is also an area that loan officers need to stay on top of. I mentor my employees to be diligent in their learning. One last important part of mentoring is being an example to other women who are carrying other important roles while navigating their place in an industry that can be male-dominated.

Christy Bunce

Chief Operations Officer New American Funding

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

About 25 years ago, one of my very best friends, Megan Henry, told me about mortgage. She said it was really fast paced and fun. I immediately loved it! I worked from about 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and would run out of the office to get to school because I was taking night classes to finish up my degree. I love every job that I have ever had in mortgage. It has always been fun and interesting. Nothing is ever exactly the same. The other part that keeps me so tied to this industry is the people. These are real human beings who are depending on us to lower their rate or give them cash out or help them to achieve the ultimate goal of buying a home.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I have had two great female mentors. The first mentor was my friend, Megan Henry, who got me into the business. She was on the credit side when I joined her. Megan was the best at it, so I really analyzed everything she did and learned a lot from her. Patty Arvielo, the co-founder and president of New American Funding, is the other person. I met Patty about three years before I came to work for her company. Working for Patty has made me realize that you cannot always be so black and white, and you have to look at things from different angles to ensure you are making the right decisions for an employee, borrower, the company, etc.

Alezandra Burling

Paralegal Cherry Creek Mortgage, LLC

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I started in the mortgage field shortly after completing my paralegal certification almost a decade ago. I didn’t originally intend on entering the mortgage industry, but the opportunities for learning and growth have been substantial. Over the years, the training opportunities have been considerable. I’ve been able to expand my knowledge base to cover both the legal and licensing fields.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I have had several wonderful colleagues over the years that have been great examples of who I strive to model my career after. It is important not only to have mentors who can share their knowledge, but to also pass that knowledge along. I hope to be able to pass the skills I’ve learned over the years along to my colleagues, so that we as a team are able to perform as effectively as possible.

What do you hope to see in the future of the mortgage industry?

In a post-covid world, I would like to see more homeowners have the ability to avoid financial strain and also go back to some sense of normalcy.

Megan Cloud

Sr. VP/Branch Manager VIP Independent Mortgage Inc.

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I stumbled into the mortgage business when I took a job with a temp agency as a call center loan officer shortly after college. I have a degree in finance; however, it is the passion to serve others that really hooked me. Raised by my grandparents, and a family full of entrepreneurs, owning several service-related businesses, I learned at an early age the value of service and doing right by the customer. I have built my career on the aspects of the business I love – helping and serving others.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

My first boss in the mortgage industry was a huge mentor of mine. She believed in my abilities long before I ever believed in myself. Mentors help shape, motivate, encourage, elevate, and defend. Mentors keep you going. They challenge you to push harder to become a better version of yourself each day. They help you stay grounded and true to yourself. I am forever grateful for the mentors in my life.

What do you hope to see in the future of the mortgage industry?

More collaboration among lenders, title companies, and other real estate professionals to bring each client a better experience throughout the entire process across the board. If we all learn to focus on respecting, loving, and appreciating each other and our roles within the process, it would be such a beautiful experience for everyone involved.

Rachelle Coffey

Licensed Mortgage Professional Homeowners Financial Group

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

After graduating from high school, I applied for a job in a real estate office and got hired as an assistant. At that time, mortgage companies regularly visited the office and a manager of a mortgage company that visited was looking for an assistant. My boss in the real estate office was so confident that I would be a good fit for the role at the mortgage company, that she fired me so that I would take the position! Helping others is what motivates me every day.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

Yes, I’ve had two significant female mentors that I’m forever grateful for:

• Debbie Hogan, from my job at the real estate office early on in my career. She is one of the most selfless people I’ve ever met who always prioritized supporting others. She truly helped to foster my professional growth and development and put my growth and development first (even when it meant that I would no longer work directly with her at her company).

• Deb Gaustad, from my first job at a mortgage company. She taught me everything she knew about the mortgage business and trained me one-on-one, every day all day, for three weeks straight. As a trainer, I remember her stating, “If you want to do this job to make $1 million, get out of my room.” She engrained in us the importance of helping homeowners and our communities.

Patty Garriga

Sr Director Product Management Core Mortgage Equifax

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

Initially joined Equifax in an IT project Manager Role where I worked with technology products on fraud prevention and the retail banking industry. I transitioned to the mortgage solutions group and was able to incorporate much f that experience into specific products helping to solve problems unique to the mortgage industry. I found mortgage to be more exciting because of the varied and everchanging needs facing lenders and consumers throughout the entire process from origination through servicing. It is very fulfilling to b part of a digital transformational journey that is changing the lending experience from the borrower, to the lender, to the investor. I enjoy my work because I get to interface with an extremely diverse group of fantastic and intelligent people on a daily basis.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I have been very fortunate to have several great mentors throughout my career, but one that stands out is a female colleague who has been in the mortgage industry for over 30 years. She will forever have a special place in my heart for her patience, guidance and willingness to share her knowledge.

Talita Guerrero

Co-Founder Right Key Mortgage

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I got in when I was about 18. I speak Spanish and Portuguese so I originally got in to help a mortgage company with their clients that did not speak English. My motivation has and will always be helping others have financial success. It’s not just about purchasing a property but growing their wealth and financial independence. Since we opened Right Key Mortgage, my motivation has always been to educate the community on the power of real estate investment. I am also an investor and have created wealth through real estate so I love educating others on how to do the same.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

Unfortunately this is a male dominated field so I have not had any female mentors but I know the importance on mentoring and I am very involved with investing in education and our youth. I was a mother at 16 and a high school drop out so not the ideal upbringing. Finding success was very difficult and required a lot of work and sacrifice but it is possible. Being a woman in this business is hard because this is a business that has no schedule or time off. So balancing a family while still trying to grow and compete with others that don’t have these disadvantages can wear you down but I have done it and so can everyone.

Jodi Hall

President Nationwide Mortgage Bankers

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I didn’t choose the mortgage industry, it chose me. I studied psychology as an undergrad and started my career as a drug and alcohol counselor. As my entrepreneurial spirit roared louder, I realized counseling wasn’t the path for me. My father and I always talked about starting a restaurant together, and so I became a small-town restaurant owner with my dad.

While it was rewarding work, I knew deep down that I needed to get out of my small town, further my education and do something more meaningful. So, I began my MBA at John Carroll University, where I worked as a graduate assistant making a whopping $400 per month. I needed to supplement my income. AmeriQuest recruited me to become a loan officer. On day one I was handed a phone book and a training manual about 6 inches thick. I geeked out on loan programs for weeks and fine-tuned my approach for connecting with clients. Turned out I was good at mortgages and over time I became good at building relationships. I was hooked from the beginning.

What keeps me motivated is the ability to do something I am good at, while also leading and mentoring the next generation of mortgage professionals who will run this industry beyond my time in the business.

Twyla Hankins

EVP of Operations American Financial Network, Inc.

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

A year out of high school and a recent transplant from Kentucky I was enrolled in college for accounting and landed a job at a Southern California mortgage company in the accounting department. A branch manager came in one day and asked the owner if he had anyone who wanted to learn loan processing, as the rates had just dropped from 21% to 19%. I raised my hand and moved to the branch to process FHA/ VA loans. Reflecting on that today, I know what a lucky break it really was. Today, four decades later, I can look back at a lengthy and satisfying career and see milestones achieved along the way as I climbed to my current position on the executive leadership team. Having four decades of experience in any field is an accomplishment! I am motivated to remain dedicated to mortgage lending because I enjoy the community aspect of the industry. As mortgage lenders, we help individuals and families to realize the American dream of homeownership.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I had wonderfully smart and talented women mentor me along the way. The majority of them chose to specialize in a department and serve as a leader in that capacity, and they did it very well. As a result, I learned loan processing, underwriting, closing, compliance, post-closing functions, and operations management from some of the most knowledgeable and talented women in the business.

Felisha Junge

Mortgage Lender GreenState Credit Union

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I started when I was in college and I realized I love numbers and helping people. Mortgage lending was the perfect fit for me. The reason I stay is I make a huge impact on people’s everyday lives. I creatively structure their debt and home loan to accommodate their needs and wants.

Have you had any great female mentors?

What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on? I am blessed with strong female relationships! I learn from multiple resources. Although I have had an opportunity to have a strong female mentor I hope to provide mentorship to younger women pursuing careers in mortgage lending and banking.

What do you hope to see in the future of the mortgage industry?

I hope the rates stay low for a while. Just kidding. I would love to see equal opportunity housing. I know a lot of companies especially GreenState are encouraging this. Seeing more first-time homebuyer programs would be advantageous. I would also love to promote more single mothers in home ownership.

What do you consider your greatest success?

I would consider motherhood as my greatest success.

Risha Kilaru

Guaranteed Rate Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending

Abigail Hart, a Guaranteed Rate Companies PR associate, shares what was behind Risha Kilaru’s nomination. She said Kilaru is a “formidable force” in the male-dominated mortgage industry.

Rish has been named the Top Female Loan Originator in the country three years in a row. She is also an “incredible mentor” for women looking to succeed in mortgage lending. “Risha leads by example with inspiring dedication, a strong will to succeed and unmatched achievement within the housing industry. With over a decade of experience, Risha Kilaru is changing the face of the mortgage industry,” Hart said in her nomination.

In 2019, Kilaru funded more than $329 million in total loan volume, ranking as the fourth top producer at Guaranteed Rate, and according to “Scotsman Guide,” 12th for total funded volume in the country. Risha is also actively involved with the Guaranteed Rate Origination of Women (GROW), an organization that provides employees with mentorship as well as a place to learn, exchange ideas and generate increased empowerment and confidence.

“Through her success, Risha has set a new standard for women in the mortgage industry and serves as an incredible example for women looking to succeed within the field.

Megan Marsh

Co-Founder Keystone Alliance Mortgage

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I have had a handful of female mentors in my life, who have made a significant impact on the person I am today. My first two were my high school and college coaches, who taught me to be strong, independent and to always be your best, but while helping others around you and always doing what is right. These women created the foundation that has led to the culture we have at our company and I use many of the teambuilding activities that I learned from them. We absolutely need more women to lead and mentor other women in our industry. We need to reach across retail and broker lines and support and get to know one another. We need to recruit more women into the field.

What do you hope to see in the future of the mortgage industry?

There are a few changes that I am very passionate about: 1. More diversity & inclusion accountability - Everyone talks about having more diverse teams but I have yet to see it at any corporate offices I have visited or been a part of. The only way it is going to happen is if we can create accountability and visibility of what is really present at the top of organizations. 2. More women loan officers starting their own businesses and finding ways to be top producers while raising a family. I have had many women ask me how I have started my business while having four kids. They couldn’t build big pipelines when every few years they had to take three months off to have a child. I want to see some things change around this.

Lauren Morris

Loan Officer Academy Mortgage Corporation

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I accidentally became a lender. When I was 21, I applied as a temp. The temp company sent me to an interview that lasted 5 minutes. I would eventually work for that privately owned mortgage company for 16 years. I quickly moved from receptionist, to doc drawer, to processor (which I loved). One day my three loan officers who I processed for moved to another company. The owner sat me down and said, “Well I am not trying to pressure you, but I don’t have anyone for you to process for, you mentioned getting licensed and now is the time.” That was 2004. I have been producing since 2005 and I absolutely love being a lender. I thrive off of learning and constant change in our industry, problem solving, helping first time buyers, saving loans that other lenders couldn’t close. I never give up and I don’t take no for an answer. Since coming to Academy, we have become a team of four loan officers and two transaction coordinators. Academy has given me the room to grow my business and expand our footprint.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I had two very strong female lenders to learn from at my first employer. The owner of the company was self-made. She went from being a loan officer to privately owning multiple locations. Everyone who knows her understands her integrity, honesty and work ethic is what drives her. She taught me to listen to a client’s motivation, understand and not be afraid to tell a client it was not worth doing the loan.

Christy Moss

Head of Sales and Marketing FormFree

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

Like most, I didn’t plan on going into the mortgage industry. When I was 22, I had a chance conversation with the director of marketing at my credit union, which led to a position promoting financial products and services to its members. From there, I transitioned into a role at GE Capital, where I received comprehensive training on the sales and loan manufacturing side of mortgage lending and that’s when I became enamored with the industry. When I joined Fannie Mae in 2008, my eyes were opened to how impactful the housing industry is to the US economy. The understanding I developed of how home builders, mortgage lenders, banks and professionals like myself all contribute to building a strong economy is a huge motivator.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I’ve had several amazing female mentors. My first boss and mentor was Kim Wall at Georgia United Credit Union, who taught me how to effectively build relationships within the organization. During my time at Fannie Mae, two women — Jennifer Whip and Beth Millstein — helped me take ownership over the direction of my career. Marcia Davies at the MBA also has been influential in challenging me to stake claim to my professional path.

Erin McCarthy Naylor, Esq.

Chief Operations Officer Direct Mortgage Loans

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

After being a prosecutor in Baltimore City I was presented an opportunity to prosecute mortgage fraud for the State of Maryland under a Department of Justice Grant for two years. When that role ended I was offered a role to join Direct Mortgage Loans to oversee compliance. Over the last seven years my role has grown to my current role, which includes oversight of our operations department. I am motivated to stay in the mortgage industry for a multitude of reasons to include a desire to help others. In my role, I am able to help our operations staff, our sales staff and in the big picture our borrowers. To help our operations staff, we focus on creating a culture where our staff feels valued, empowered and that they have a voice within the company.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I have been fortunate to work with other strong women in the mortgage industry, as half of the members of the executive leadership team at Direct Mortgage Loans are women. Additionally, many of our top branch managers are female. This heavy presence of women in leadership has allowed for mentorship, collaboration and comradeship.

Veronica Nguyen

Co-founder and Executive Vice President BeSmartee

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

My career journey in the mortgage industry was a serendipitous event. My nowhusband, and then-boyfriend, Tim Nguyen, asked me to help him set up appraisal appointments for his small business. This was back when I was in college and had no clue what it meant to get a mortgage! Tim’s business experienced fast growth. And, in two shakes of a lamb’s tail, he became so busy that he needed to hire a team to help with the increase in volume. I told him that he needed an office and he asked me if I could manage it. From that day forward, we became a team, entering into a committed partnership—both in business and in life.

What do you hope to see in the future of the mortgage industry?

I would like to see more women involved in the boardroom. I believe we are working toward this and believe women can bring value to any company, whether big or small. I would also like to continue to see more awareness being generated about our industry so that we can attract new talent.

What do you consider your greatest success?

There are so many things I could mention here. Being an immigrant woman, I have faced many adversities, but — through passion, persistence and a lot of hard work — I have also experienced many wins that I am very grateful for.

Kimberly Palmer

Executive Vice President of Operations LeaderOne Financial

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

Growing up, my favorite day of the year was “Take your kid to work day.” I looked forward to it all year when I would miss school and spend the day with my mom at her office observing what she did every day as a loan officer’s assistant to a top producer. I spent every second trying to learn what it was that she did. When she went home and talked business with my dad, who happens to be a mortgage loan originator, I would listen for jargon I recognized from my annual day at the office.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I have had several female mentors, but the one that stands out the most is my mom. She spent her life mentoring me on how to be a good person and treat everyone equally. She taught me patience, honesty and remaining true to yourself. She taught me everything I needed to know in operations to get out there and start thriving. She gave me the confidence I needed by positive coaching and feedback. To this day, I seek her advice.

What do you consider your greatest success?

My greatest success is my ability to balance a family with excelling in a career that I love.

Denise Panza

Senior Mortgage Banker Total Mortgage

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

Upon receiving my teaching degree I was driven to work with students in the classroom. Therefore, I left Boston to try and land a teaching job in Brooklyn, NY. I wanted to teach where I was raised and felt this was a great opportunity to do so. Unfortunately, there was a major teaching freeze back in 1993 and I was not able to find a job. Shortly after that I was pregnant at 23 and was now a single mom. I had to take on working while also raising my son and doing what it took to make life emotionally and financially secure for him. I grabbed the first position available in the paper at a mortgage company in Brewster, NY as a post closer. My father owned a mortgage company in Long Island so the field was not foreign to me. Truth be told, I did always have a crush on the business. The rest is history. It’s now 26 years later and I’m still in the mortgage business. It’s exhilarating and I love every moment of it! I’m one of the lucky ones that is really passionate about what she does and enjoys it thoroughly. My love for the business is what keeps me motivated year after year.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I never had a female mentor. When I started it was predominately dominated by men. Nevertheless, I put my foot to the plow and learned as much as possible. As of today, there are many women in the industry and I love to see them thriving! This is exciting and empowering to me.

Wendy Peel

Vice President of Sales and Marketing ReverseVision

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

My background is in SaaS technology. It wasn’t until a little over six years ago when a recruiter reached to me about a position at ReverseVision that I was drawn into the mortgage industry. What keeps me motivated day-in and day-out is building opportunities for people to retire gracefully. Retirement requires wealth, and home equity is many Americans’ largest source of wealth. My work is focused on supporting ReverseVision’s product strategy to build, train and market the technology infrastructure lenders need to incorporated Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) and private reverse loans into their lending portfolios.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

My most influential mentor has been my mother, who was an entrepreneur back in the ‘70s. She built a small telephone company with my dad, so I grew up listening to executive business decision making at the dinner table. As a female executive in a maledominated industry, I believe in helping other women succeed by creating direct opportunities for them to excel and grow. Brene Brown’s books “Daring Greatly” and, more recently, “Dare to Lead” have been hugely influential on me and I try to encourage women to lean into their authentic selves on their personal and professional journeys.

Joni Pilgrim

Chief Executive Officer NAN - Nationwide Appraisal Network

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

In 2003, I was hired in a sales role working for an independent appraiser, which is coincidently how I met my business partner, Cari Pinkert. We both ended up getting hired for the same role and instantly became a dream team. After about a year of working there, Cari and I went out for drinks after work, wrote our business plan on a bar napkin and our baby, All Star Appraisal Services made its debut in 2004. We worked out of a garage - in Florida - during the summer. Two years later we were nationwide. Fast-forward to 2008 and the crash – we went from a non-regulated industry to a now highly regulated industry. We transitioned from a company of convenience to a company of compliance and our entire business model had changed. We rebranded from All Star Appraisal Services to Nationwide Appraisal Network in 2008 and the rest is history. I love being a part of the process of helping people achieve the American dream of homeownership. It is what keeps me motivated to stay.

Have you had any great female mentors?

Early on in my career, I engaged with a consulting firm (which was also a women-owned business) to help with the direction of the business and these two women, Bronwyne and Susan – proved to be great mentors who are still highly involved with our company.

Amanda Richardson

Senior Product Development Manager Genworth Mortgage Insurance

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I began my career in financial services in operations in 2009, at the height of the financial crisis. In 2013, I transitioned to product management when the hiring manager took a chance and hired me in a junior role. Since then, I’ve been a proud member of the product team. Whether it’s bringing a new product to market, supporting the day-to-day management of the company’s offerings, collaborating with other teams, or delivering a new product update to a lender directly, I find motivation in the innovative ways we work with each other to solve problems and provide solutions to our customers every day. As a people leader, I also draw motivation from working with my team directly and seeing their growth firsthand.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I’d say more important than a female “mentor” has been my fellow female colleagues – my peers, other female leaders, and friendly coworkers that I’ve had a chance to work with and work for. My informal panel has helped shape me into the woman I am today. I have participated in Genworth’s mentor program for several years now, both as a mentee and a mentor. As a mentor, I am often paired with young women earlier in their careers and the importance of that mentor relationship early on is critical to positioning our next generation of female leaders.

Dawn Rudie

Mortgage Manager Westby Co-Op Credit Union

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I began in the mortgage industry as a mortgage loan officer immediately after college. My degree is in finance with a real estate concentration. I have always had a passion for real estate and financing homes, especially new home construction. My first employer was a mortgage banking company that exclusively originated and serviced mortgages for many different credit unions. This is where my eyes were truly opened to the credit union industry, philosophy, and way of doing business and I knew I wanted to be a part of this movement. I have discovered an immense sense of pride and accomplishment helping individuals purchase, build, or refinance homes, but an even greater satisfaction when I see credit union membership at work helping members in our communities.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

Deb T., a past client of mine, managed mortgage operations for a Top 10 national credit union. She always maintained a fun, positive attitude and possessed in depth knowledge of mortgage efficiencies and operations. She was also very “approachable” which I feel is an important trait of a leader. Denise B., a friend and past co-worker, is another female mentor.

Nicole Rueth

Producing Branch Manager Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation’s “The Rueth Team”

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

After the birth of my three children, I wanted to step out of the corporate traveling schedule so I went to work for a friend to reinvigorate and redesign his mortgage company. Here is where I found my passion. What keeps me motivated daily is striving to find creative and lasting ways to educate current and future homeowners so they can make the best choices possible for them and build their portfolio. I truly believe that women should feel empowered by their passion for their career, confident in their desire to work or return to work, and in their desire to build a business and leave a legacy.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I’m particularly grateful to Sarah Middleton for her impact on my career. Sarah recruited me to join her when she moved to Fairway. Sarah would challenge me to find my “why,” as in, my passion for going to work every day. She would constantly ask me what I was building. It was the first time I looked at my life and asked, “What difference am I making in what I’m doing?” It resulted in a huge shift in my perspective. I went from closing $13 million annually to over $100 million in four years by remaining true and disciplined to my convictions.

Dixie Sanders

Loan Officer Homebridge Financial Services

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I got in the field by accident. I took a position as a receptionist and learn as much as I could from my colleagues and made it my career. I started in the operations side of the business and stayed there for 10 plus years. After that, I switched to origination side so that I would have more of direct impact on borrowers. Helping people keeps me motivated. Getting the pictures of families outside of their home and seeing the excitement on the faces reminds why I do what I do.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

Over the last 15 years, I have been fortunate to have two great female mentors that kept me on track. Kendra Cooke is the head of the real estate division at The Core Training. Her overall great attitude, work ethic, discipline, and ability to coach is unbelievable. Rhonda Kuchik, a branch manager for Cross Country Mortgage in Indianapolis, has the awesome systems and structure and oversight that I do not have. I coached for The Core Training for 14 years and it was always amazing to me how much I learned from my students. I trust they learned as much from me. The joy of seeing them succeed was immeasurable.

Cathleen Schreiner Gates

President SimpleNexus

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

Interestingly, my background is in enterprise software and software-as-a-service (SaaS) sales and consulting. A little over six years ago, an Ellie Mae (now ICE Mortgage Technology) recruiter approached me about bringing a fresh perspective to their scaling of the organization. Within 10 minutes of talking to Jonathan Corr, Ellie Mae’s then CEO, I realized that my previous work disrupting marketplace segments with software was exactly what the mortgage industry needed. Once I saw the potential to make a huge impact through automation and process efficiencies, I was hooked. In fact, the enormous potential of mortgage technology is what keeps me going. There’s still a lot of innovative technologies that can be leveraged to improve the mortgage industry.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

Early in my career I was fortunate that my first boss and mentor was a woman. She was a generation ahead of me and had experience bumping against the glass ceiling. Back in the ‘80s she challenged the conventional thinking around women’s leadership and encouraged professional ambition. She was a huge influence and to this day, the only female boss I’ve had.

Sheridan Whipple

VP of Business Systems Analysis Cherry Creek Mortgage

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

After getting to know the real estate industry through my time at RE/MAX Corporate as a franchise development consultant, I jumped at the opportunity to work in the closing department for Cherry Creek Mortgage. There is something about helping people find and afford their dream homes that always brings a smile to my face. Working now for our technology team has also provided me with the chance to learn and grow as both a manager and as a systems analyst. Creating a feature that saves someone time or makes their job easier is very satisfying.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

Executive leaders Margaret Kelly and Diane Kreider were both wonderful mentors at RE/MAX. They taught me the importance of effective communication, patience and being able to stand up for my viewpoint without being intimidated. I have also learned a lot from some wonderful women that I have worked alongside at Cherry Creek Mortgage. Nicole Hanrahan, our VP of production support, specifically comes to mind. She is truly Superwoman and wears many hats at Cherry Creek Mortgage. She also has a tremendous talent for reaching a balance between family and work that I strive to achieve as well.

April Tracy

Regional Manager Cross Country Mortgage

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I had two cousins that were working at a big streamline shop. They talked me into coming over. Honestly this job can be stressful but on closing day when you have clients that are so grateful it’s a wonderful feeling!

Have you had any great female mentors?

I am actually in a mentorship program right now with Lizy Hoeffer. I think it is very important for us to help each other and build each other up.

What do you hope to see in the future of the mortgage industry? It would be nice to see more women in leadership roles.

What do you consider your greatest success?

My marriage. Without my husband I couldn’t do what I do. I am blessed to work with him as well. He understands the long hours and is very supportive.

Greg Tracy, a Realtor at Impower Real Estate, had this to say in his nomination: April has built a company, office, and team of professionals with the philosophy of work/life balance and the notion that happy people are more productive people. She created a meditation/relaxation room in the office, allows the staff to bring their dogs to work, and created a concierge program dedicated to helping the loan officers grow their business and develop relationships.

Corey Tess Trujillo

Chief Maven Synergy Maven, LLC

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

My background and focus in film and television prepared me for the fast-paced and often relentless mortgage industry pace. I have always loved storytelling and creativity - so when my experience as a producer of large-scale events landed me a role in finance and banking conferences, it was a natural fit. When I started my creative agency in 2016, my network of mortgage and banking connections allowed me to work with some amazing individuals. Like most people, I got into the mortgage industry by accident but stayed because I fell in love with the community. My motivation comes from creating ideas and being able to see them implemented and return results quickly. It is very fulfilling to see my work be so successful. In addition to that, I have to say that the caliber and attitude in this industry are another reason I am motivated to continue growing my home lending career. I find that hard working, innovative, gregarious, and creative humans are drawn to the industry and make working, socializing, and celebrating as part of it, a joy.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

From my first foray into marketing and events at Disney to my boot camp of small business with the owner of an AKC Show management company, I have been allowed to work with women who mentored me, gave me room to make mistakes, learn, discover and grow in a safe space.

Jonice Gray Tucker

Partner Buckley LLP

How did you get into this field?

Indecision ultimately led to the opportunity of a lifetime. I went to college on a merit-based biomedical scholarship, planning to become a medical doctor. Along the way, I changed my mind. Ultimately, I applied to law school, but after getting in, I questioned whether this was the right decision. I deferred my admission and matriculated a year later, taking advice (perhaps accompanied by a shove!) from my father who held the strong view that a law degree could provide many pathways and opportunities inside and outside of the law. He was right. In September 2001, I joined Skadden Arps. One of my first cases was to assist on a landmark Federal Trade Commission mortgage servicing enforcement action. That FTC enforcement action was followed by several more in which we served as defense counsel, and nearly a decade later the regulatory landscape for mortgage servicing had been forever changed, with new rules and expectations set by these and other actions. These actions were just a few of the many that I was able to work on as defense counsel, as the first decade of the 2000s was punctuated by many extraordinary development in mortgage origination and servicing, including the subprime boom, the Great Recession, and the foreclosure crisis. A mortgage banker lawyer was born by chance because I was at the right place, at the right time — a watershed period in mortgage history.

Have you had any great female mentors?

One of my greatest mentors has been Patrice Ficklin, director of fair lending for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Marcia L. Volin

Loan Officer V. I. P. Mortgage, Inc.

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I started in this field in 1986. I fell into the position with a job as a loan processor and after four years moved into origination. What has kept me in this industry for all of these years is the satisfaction of helping people get into homes. I love working with first-time homebuyers and the excitement they have owning their first home. I also love that so many past clients now have me helping their kids with their first home purchase.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I have actually not had many great female mentors. Most of them have been male but have regardless been great mentors. The people I work for feel very strongly about the sense of community and have a true desire to help people. Not just about the business.

What do you hope to see in the future of the mortgage industry?

I hope to see more value placed on the knowledge of an originator and less movement towards everything being computerized. The industry is moving away from the personal aspect of the origination of a loan. Automation really only works for a small group of well-qualified borrowers and leaves out many people that need help.

Renee Westrick

Retail Mortgage Loan Coordinator Manager MiMutual Mortgage

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Michigan State University and was working at a local hospital. While at the little league field with my son, one of the owners of the Michigan Mutual approached me and asked if I would be interested in coming to work for them because they heard that I had excellent organizational qualities and they have been looking for someone. Intrigued by the offer I met them for an interview despite having no mortgage experience. My current position at the time was becoming mundane so the challenge of a new opportunity was exciting to me. Here I am, 19 years later and still learning something new every day! There is no one aspect of my position that keeps me motivated as each day presents new challenges, successes, and learning experiences which is what I love about my job. I embrace the satisfaction of knowing that my work makes a difference and is vital to getting the loan from origination to closing.

What do you hope to see in the future of the mortgage industry?

I would like to see more focus on the back-office efficiencies. I think it would be a better investment for our company in the end and increase the speed of closing a mortgage, which in turn will increase customer satisfaction.

Suha Beidas Zehl

Chief Analytics Officer Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM)

How did you get into this field? What keeps you motivated to stay?

In 2002, after living overseas for 10 years, I returned and could not find a suitable position (I had been the director of institutional research at a higher education institution). I joined a start-up niche-market home financing company as a part-time, data entry person; and I eventually became their chief information officer. What keeps me motivated is twofold: First, I am passionate about helping families achieve their American reality (not dream) of becoming homeowners because we know the impact that has; second, I am energized by the amazing opportunities our industry can leverage with technology and data to create a customer-centric, frictionless journey to that reality.

Have you had any great female mentors? What is the importance of mentoring and is this something that you focus on?

I have been extremely fortunate to have had (and continue to have) exceptional mentors - both male and female. Each mentorship relationship is different - but at its core, it is a relationship! A great mentor builds the mentee’s confidence and ability to face the myriad of challenges they face (give them a fish / teach them to fish). It’s not about telling someone what to do; it’s helping them figure it out by asking questions and listening.

It’s the reason I started In the Spotlight with Suha, a platform that recognizes rising stars in our industry, as well as the reason I became a NAMMBA Visionary Ambassador and joined the Board of Directors of Women with Vision. Mentorship matters; it is critical to success, and it is incumbent upon us, those in leadership positions, to make ourselves available and to help nurture and promote those who will follow.

What do you hope to see in the future of the mortgage industry? We need more women to lean in, speak out, and most importantly, to lead! We need to see more women break the ceiling and rise into senior leadership and the C-Suite roles. Emerging leadership roles present new opportunities for women. For example, in 2012, there was only a handful of Chief Data or Analytics Officers. Today, leveraging big data and analytics has become a competitive advantage, giving rise to these new roles. The same is true for leadership roles in diversity and inclusions, innovation, privacy, strategy, customer experience, and brand and reputation. As our industry evolves through digital transformation and disruption, demographic changes, and macroeconomic forces, I hope to see a significant shift that supports the inclusion of women in the highest leadership roles in these strategic areas.

What do you consider your greatest success?

I would say raising two amazing boys. I was fortunate to marry the love of my life and he came with two young boys who light up my every day. They are young men now who are so inspirational to me and I am so grateful that I was able to play a role in their development and transformation.