Chelsea Balak

VP of Operations

WEMLO

Boca Raton, Fla.

What factors impact a woman’s ability to lead others?

Things that can hinder the ability to lead can include second-guessing yourself or your skills. If you don’t have confidence in yourself, it will be difficult to gain the trust of your employees and colleagues. Prepare, be confident in your ability, and don’t be afraid to fail. Finally, just remember that you CAN have it all. You can be a great mom and partner while having a flourishing career.

What advice would you give to those just getting started in the mortgage industry?

Always say yes when an opportunity to learn presents itself. To succeed in the mortgage industry, you must have a hunger for learning and the ability to evolve quickly. Step out of your comfort zone and explore different roles, find what you do and don’t like, then figure out how that fits within your professional goals.

What’s changed for you the most since you joined the mortgage industry?

When I entered the field, someone would have to mentor you because training resources were slim to none. Educational opportunities and resources available to newcomers and veterans alike have increased exponentially.

What significant changes would you like to see from the mortgage industry in 2023?

Looking forward to seeing continued growth of the wholesale brokerage channel. Wholesale offers a marketplace of rates allowing consumers to pick a loan that best fits their needs all while working with a mortgage expert in their community.

What has been your biggest accomplishment as a mortgage professional?

I am proud of the work I’ve done building a business (wemlo) that empowers loan processors with education and fosters a culture of collaboration. Since I joined wemlo in 2019, the company has experienced 164% growth in full-time staff.

Laura Brandao Chief Growth Officer/Partner

Epm

North Arlington, N.J.

What factors impact a woman’s ability to lead others?

The ability to lead starts with your understanding of knowing who you are, awareness of your gifts, and your abilities that you share with others. Once you understand yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses, you are better able to recognize how you can improve in order to be an effective leader. To be a confident leader, one needs first to be confident in herself.

What advice would you give to those just getting started in the mortgage industry?

Listen, be curious, and ask a lot of questions. Network and meet as many people as you can, both veterans and newbies. There’s always an opportunity to learn from others. Make honing your skills and gaining more knowledge part of your daily routine by attending webinars, conferences, and masterminds.

What’s changed for you the most since you joined the mortgage industry?

When I started, very few women were in leadership. Happily, this is no longer the case. I’m seeing more women leaders, more communities and organizations within our industry that support women to feel comfortable and gain in their knowledge and confidence.

What significant changes would you like to see from the mortgage industry in 2023?

Continue to be more transparent by being open and honest with the struggles and the challenges we are facing in this ever-changing market. Being transparent fosters growth and learning from each other.

What has been your biggest accomplishment as a mortgage professional?

It’s honestly realizing the positive impact I have made so far. I’ve had the benefit of actually hearing the stories and watching people’s lives change because of something we did together. It is a joyous, humbling feeling that radiates deep within my being.

Kristin Broadley Chief Innovation Officer QC ALLY Detroit, Mich.

What factors impact a woman’s ability to lead others?

Leadership is vision, empathy, and care. Being the inspiration, setting the course, driving execution, sharing knowledge, growing skill sets and supporting the teams are all factors that impact outcomes.

What advice would you give to those just getting started in the mortgage industry?

Welcome! We are a tight-knit family, so once you’re in, you’re IN!

The ups and downs can feel tumultuous, but everything is cyclical. See the slower times as an opportunity to discover areas for improvement.

For women specifically, the face of the industry is shifting, and you can expect more women in leadership roles. Find mentors early. Listen, learn, and grow.

What’s changed for you the most since you joined the mortgage industry?

I joined the industry pre-Great Recession, so nearly everything has changed since then. I am proud to have been a part of helping the industry find its footing again while doing so in a more responsible, sustainable manner.

What significant changes would you like to see from the mortgage industry in 2023?

I would like to see lenders refocus on their quality control operations. Take this time to uncover their risk tolerance, so that they can be certain that their tech, processes, and people are manufacturing loans that do not breach that tolerance.

What has been your biggest accomplishment as a mortgage professional?

There’s a laundry list of projects and things that I’ve helped to bring to life that has been impactful. But when I reflect on my biggest accomplishments, it’s the individuals with whom I’ve worked, the folks that I’ve mentored, the individuals who have mentored me that come to mind. All have helped me grow as a mortgage professional, a leader, and a human.