The Woman Behind the Vision

Introducing the Winners of the 2020 Women With Vision Award

LIFESTYLE IS THE RESULT OF GOOD BUSINESS

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SOROPTIMIST-COWORKER HOLIDAY GIFT

As a young girl, maybe 6 or 7, I can remember my Mother loading me into my dad’s little red ford ranchero. Mom would drive that giant steering wheel with me sitting right next to her in the front seat! Of course, there were no seat belts, and I sat mid bench seat, smack dab in front of the AM radio with the giant chrome buttons.

Every week my Mom and I would drive to the Women’s Club meetings, in which I observed my Mom and other ladies, discuss the upcoming fundraisers or events they were planning. Everything they did was to help and empower women in need. They gave clothes to unwed mothers, scholarships to young women; they paid the rent for a single mom, they bought Christmas presents for a family in need.

My Mother’s charitable spirit made me aware of the women around me and made me aware of less fortunate women’s unique, individual needs than myself. Now grown, my Mother belongs to a service organization called The Davie Soroptimist’s, and their tagline is “Best for Women.” These WOMEN raise money for WOMEN. Soroptimist raised my awareness and increased my empathy. Most of all, the service organizations that she belonged to during my life helped me understand who my Mother is and what she stands for in our community.

Consider ordering a SOROPTIMIST WREATH for this holiday season, for yourself, co-workers, or corporate accounts. This 22″ Live Noble Fir Wreath looks gorgeous and smells like the holiday’s right out of the box, and it’s shipped directly to your door or the door of your business associates that you want to send a holiday gift.

The best part; the proceeds go to empower, encourage, and support WOMEN in need.

I’m truly honored to have been considered and feel blessed to share this moment with those I admire, and who inspired me to make improvements to my business. They have rallied around me to reach my goals.” 

Amorette (Moe) Hernandez has been in the mortgage industry for 13 years. She began her career in the banking industry and worked her way up the corporate ladder. During her first home buying experience she was introduced to the mortgage broker side of the business. That connection, Moe shares, led her to her current career path. “My business started to catapult when I decided in 2017 to get out of my own way, was open to every opportunity to learn and be coached, and started to meet amazing people within the broker channel. Even though I started in retail mortgages in 2002 and moved to broker in 2006, I truly feel like I started three years ago.”

As a broker, Moe is there for her clients every step of the way. She has access to a variety of products and services which allows her to meet her client’s needs in a variety of ways, and thus, allows them to reach their goal of homeownership. Moe is also fluent in Spanish, which enables her to offer one more level of service to her clients.

Moe is a wife, a mother, and a mortgage broker and feels blessed to have a career that allows her to be present for her family.

I believe in building solid, long-term relationships and the power of teamwork. There’s a unique fulfillment that comes from serving others – for me, this is the pathway to real significance. My mission is to decrease the number of women who reach the end of their lives regretting the things they never did because of fear and lack of courage.”

Ana Maria’s professional journey has been non-traditional. As a young single mother with little more than her Faith to count on, she discovered her mantra, courage goes where confidence dares not. Since then, Ana Maria Sanin has rocked the nation with her expert branding, helping professionals take their branding to an expert level with great return on investment.

Today Ana runs her own branding company and is one of the many incredible executive coaches at 20/20 VSC. For professionals taking the journey from an unknown social media image all the way to monetary conversion, Ana helps identify with who they are and how they are going to achieve their best in this area.

Those who are lit by their passion are the object of envy among their peers and the subject of intense curiosity. They are the source of good ideas. They make the extra effort. They demonstrate the commitment. And they will be rewarded with the kind of satisfaction that comes with knowing your place in the world. I am committed to helping women and raising awareness for women and the issues they face in society today.”

Ana is the Co-founder of Venus Business Group Pvt Ltd, partnered with RSTCA-Harvard Education. Ana completed her masters study in Australia where she remained for 14 years prior to returning to Kathmandu, Nepal to begin her journey as an entrepreneur. She has a diverse background in business and is currently the chief executive officer and founder of De Maker. Ana also is a board member of the RSTCA Foundation and RSTCA-Education.

In addition to her work with advancing women in business, Ana strives to help youth grow via education and honing their own unique talents through skill development programs.

Ana has been named as one of the 10 Most Influential Women of Nepal in 2020 and is a winner of a 2019 International Women with Vision award (no affiliation with this WWV Award program). “It is an honor,” Ana says, “being an award holder of this most influential 2020 professional women’s award.”

I am passionate about originating loans. Having the ability to change lives for the better is an incredible gift.”

Ashley Filitor is a licensed residential mortgage loan officer with First Option Mortgage in Atlanta Georgia and has been originating loans since March of 2018. Ashley has worked in the mortgage industry for four years, starting out as a servicer and junior processor. Her favorite part about assisting people and their families through the loan process is knowing she’s part of a team improving lives. When Ashley is not working hard, she enjoys spending time reading, taking pictures, hiking, playing with her dogs, and spending time with friends and family.

To be recognized next to some of the most prestigious women in our industry is incredibly humbling, and I am honored to have been chosen. It has helped me stand tall and given me confidence to hold my place in this industry.”  

Ashley encourages women to find their strength, use their voice, and stand up for what they believe. In 2020, she co-founded the podcast Blondes Have More Funds, which focuses on empowering women and shining a light on the realities of the female journey.

In more than 10 years working in the industry she has served in various roles ranging from corporate administration to loan origination. She is current the business development manager of GTG Financial, Inc. where she leads a sales staff of 17 members through the work of compliance, recruiting, marketing, and branding.

Ashley is highly involved in local, and online community networking groups, and is passionate about helping others in the industry succeed. In her free time, Ashley enjoys exploring and hiking the Northern California landscape with her two beautiful daughters and energetic pup, wine tasting and dining in gorgeous Napa Valley, and dipping her toes in the beach waters up and down the California coast.

“Professionally, this award has been a boost to restore my drive and given me the fuel to keep going and pushing to constantly improve. Goals can be lofty and overwhelming and you can feel like you’re stuck in a hamster wheel. When your accomplishments are exalted on a well-respected platform, this restores the fire to keep going and level up.”

Receiving this award is extra special for me, especially in 2020. Being self-employed for 15 years, I haven’t had the opportunity to earn shiny-glass semblances of achievements and I’ve always wanted one on my desk. I will show it off with pride!” 

Chasity Graff is owner and mortgage broker of LA Lending which she opened in 2007. She is a member of several industry groups including the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) where she serves with the Women’s AIME Affinity Group. Chasity also acts as the administrator for two high-level mortgage societies across the country. Her true passion is helping families own their piece of the American Dream and her enthusiasm is contagious.

Chasity will pass her knowledge on to anyone who needs guidance and has been a voice for women in the industry. In addition to being a mortgage broker, she also hosts training sessions for real estate agents on how to increase their social media presence and build their individual brand.

Chasity has been published in The MReport Magazine, NextAdvisor (featured on TIME.com), and National Mortgage Magazine (NMP) in 2020. She is also the two-time recipient of NMP’s 40 Most Influential Mortgage Professionals under 40.

It is such an honor to have been chosen as a woman with vision, especially in what is a very transformational year for me and many others, 2020.” 

Christina Harmes is a dedicated certified reverse mortgage professional with 17 years of experience in the real estate and mortgage lending industry. Christina is the youngest person who has earned the Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional designation. For the last eight years she has focused solely on reverse mortgages where her expertise and passion has driven her to become the top producer of reverse mortgages at C2 Financial Corp.

Christina has a passion for helping seniors, especially senior single women, and widows, retire with the right type of reverse mortgage. She is on a mission to change the landscape and thinking behind reverse mortgages where this misunderstood loan can help seniors secure their independence, enhance their financial security, and enjoy their retirement years. She has mentored hundreds of loan officers to identify the needs of seniors in retirement and how a reverse mortgage can provide seniors a solid financial foundation.

Christina is active in the mortgage lending field. In July 2020, she spoke at the National Reverse Mortgage Lender’s Association regarding bringing the reverse mortgage sales process online. She is regularly interviewed for her expertise on national reverse mortgage news in publications like HousingWire, Reverse Mortgage Daily, and Reverse Mortgage magazine.

“Being a woman with vision winner makes me feel like I am having the impact on the world I know I am meant to. I am committed to my vision and I am so honored to be among amazing leaders who demonstrate what it means to be a woman with vision.”

Being recognized as a woman with vision in our industry is super exciting and humbling. This recognition illustrates how our team and our values are impacting and paving the future of valuation in 2020 and beyond.”  

Cindi Harris currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Innovation and Specialty Teams for Class Valuation. In her role as SVP, Cindi is crucial player in the growth and operation of Class Valuation. Before joining Class Valuation, she led a consulting business focused on organizational culture and leadership strategies.

With more than 27 years of experience as a certified appraiser, she brings valuable knowledge and experience with her to the job. Throughout her career, Cindi has performed thousands of appraisals, led teams of fee and review appraisers, acted as a due diligence manager, and co-founded a national appraisal management company where she served as chief operating officer.

Cindi’s experience includes working for Bank of America, Washington Mutual, Fremont Investment and Loan, Quality Valuation Services, Computershare and Solidifi US. Cindi has clearly only scratched the surface in terms of her potential and what her impact will be in the mortgage.

Receiving the Woman With a Vision Award is truly an honor; I am humbled to be among the women in the mortgage industry recognized for this prestigious award. Being recognized in 2020 is particularly notable as our world faces unprecedented challenges and changes.”  

Stephanie, the chief operating officer leading the operations’ team at Class Valuation, is passionate about providing an exceptional customer experience for every client on every order by providing strong communication, transparency through the fulfillment process and credible valuations.

As COO, Stephanie Holdsworth leads an operations team comprised of appraisal operations, training, development, client on-boarding and information systems. Her nearly 20 years in the mortgage industry has enabled her to lead Valuations Teams with big banks and AMCs supporting originations, home equity servicing and default. Over the course of her career she has been responsible for standing up Staff Appraiser Teams, leading Fulfillment Teams, managing the quality assurance process, working with Regulators to ensure compliance with industry standards, managing client/vendor and partner relationships, training and development, leading mentor programs, and managing risk and controls.

Stephanie has been crucial in helping to hire, train, and manage her team with Class Valuation. She clearly will continue to play an important role as one of the premier female leaders in the mortgage industry for many years to come.

The Women With Vision Award is a terrific way to recognize innovative and forward-thinking women in the mortgage industry. I’m proud to be acknowledged alongside all of the other well-deserving women on this year’s list.”  

Over a 25-year career in marketing, including 23 years with Embrace, Dana has shown herself to be an extraordinary leader who encourages innovation, collaboration, and curiosity in the team she leads. She has an ability to inspire and develop the best in people, perhaps related to her passion to continually learn, improve, and explore new things, noting, “perseverance in the face of failure is true problem-solving.”

Dana Fortin was the first woman on the senior leadership team at Embrace Home Loans and during her time has worked to add more women to the team and in other leadership roles within the company. She is an International Coach Federation (ICF)-Certified Coach who has been described as one of the most forward-thinking and progressive people. She stays ahead of the curve in terms of the latest innovations in technology, as well as what’s happening in the world of digital and analytical marketing.

Dana is one of only two people to receive Embrace Home Loans CEO’s Excellence Award. She has also been named as National Mortgage Professional Magazine’s Most Powerful Women of 2019 and was a recipient of the 2019 Women With Vision Award.

Dana says, “It’s a challenging and exciting time in the mortgage business and the time is ripe for innovation. I encourage all women, as well as men, to be a part of it.”

Desirée Patno is considered by many to be the Grand Dame of the banking and real estate industry. The list of her credentials, accomplishments, and prolific endeavors is lengthy and impressive. As publisher of NAWRB Magazine and Women’s Housing Ecosystem Report (WHER), she curates dozens of resources and reports the expertise of key players in the economic ecosystem to build a dynamic resource platform for future generations.

Leveraging significant communication resources, Desirée provides women-owned and veteran-owned small businesses specialized coaching and financial literacy training, including innovative ways to access capital, obtain government contracts, and secure one’s resources.

She is the CEO and president of Women in the Housing and Real Estate Ecosystem (NAWRB) and Desirée Patno Enterprises, Inc. (DPE). She serves as an advisor for AmicusBrain Innovations Inc., CSO of Zulu Time and is a national speaker. Through her relationships with senior leadership executives, government officials, and industry experts, Desirée and her team assists the development and strengthening of small businesses for sustainability with Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) training, as well as financial literacy for consumers.

Desirée hosts the Know the Rules of the GameⓇ podcast, featuring invigorating and open discussions with key executive leaders and experts on recent trends and developments in the housing and real estate ecosystem, as well as intimate discussions with peers, family, and friends, that make listeners feel a part of the conversation.

Desirée has been recognized throughout the MBA and mPower community for her contributions in our industry. The list of awards and honors conferred on Desirée is lengthy. Suffice it to say, if there is an award given in the arena of banking and real estate, Desirée has received it or likely will.

Desirée has founded a community built on leading, highlighting, promoting, and educating female professionals. In these highlights of her activities and affiliations, a clear picture is drawn of a true leader and dedicated supporter of women; a Woman with Vision worthy of following and emulating.

First and foremost, I am honored. I have a true passion for mortgage and to change the industry one family at time. Truly blessed to do what I do and to be a part of this great organization.” 

Dixie Sanders is an incredible leader and innovator who has consistently risen to the top of the real estate industry over the past 25 years. She operates and originates in a branch doing tens of millions of dollars in originations monthly. Even after achieving what many might call the height of success, Dixie continues to be on a mission. She knows what she wants, and she knows she wants to be aligned with people who push her.

In addition to loan originations, Dixie has dedicated herself to a life of coaching both for The Core and now for 20/20 Vision for Success Coaching. The importance of coaching and being coached in business and life are core principles for Dixie, “Most of the time we cannot see the forest through the trees and that is what a coach will do for you.”

Dixie is a trendsetter and a go-getter who delivers high service. Proudly partnered with Homebridge, she wakes daily to serve her partnerships, to lead her team, and to perform with the strong work ethic she has had for her entire life. She has served and continues to serve with the same advice she gives mortgage professionals seeking knowledge, with integrity and with passion.

The mortgage business is ever-changing and will pass you by if you can’t change with it. My vision for the future of women in the mortgage space is to stay focused on human interaction while embracing technology that prioritizes the client experience.”

Erin Carvelli is an experienced mortgage lending professional, having worked within the industry for over 22 years. Her career has led her to touch nearly every facet of the industry including processor, underwriter, and manager. This expertise has earned her the nickname, Erin the Expert.

Erin is a proponent of a high-tech and high-touch model. She leverages technology to create a seamless client experience while focusing on maintaining a human connection with her clients. This model allows her clients to feel empowered and make the best decisions for their home financing. Erin’s guidance makes an otherwise overwhelming situation as smooth and stress free as possible.

Despite male dominance in the industry, she has always been able to thrive and steadily gain momentum by having a solid base of knowledge, a keen sense of what clients need, and prioritizing their experience. Erin knows mentorship is the best way to press her vision forward and has always taken an interest in the women she’s been able to influence, from processors to loan assistants and aspiring loan officers. Erin always takes the time to explain things from the perspective of what she’s learned over the years and hopes her guidance and expertise will propel the women of mortgages forward.

Erin Carvelli is a top producer that heads a sales team at Greenway Mortgage, a boutique correspondent lender.

Being included alongside so many impactful women in our industry inspires me to continue to strive to help others learn and grow. There are so many opportunities available within our industry for women and this award showcases examples of those offerings. I applaud Women With Vision for pioneering a focus on excellence, vision, and women!”

Ginger Bell is a best-selling author, an Emmy award-winning producer, speaker, and training specialist. With Edumarketing Agency she helps companies and entrepreneurs create educational campaigns and strategies to grow their business.

Ginger develops a variety of training, marketing, and online education programs and creates video marketing and branding strategy for her clients. She has worked with numerous companies such as Arch MI, Total Expert, Finance of America, First American Title, FirstFunding, Re/Max, Motto Mortgage, Tovuti, Windermere and countless entrepreneurs and small business owners across the US.

Ginger has won numerous awards and accolades. She has been named as one of Mortgage Banking’s Most Powerful Women, one of the 50 Most Connected Professionals, and an Elite Women of Lending. For her commitment to training and education she was awarded the Professional Woman of the Year award by the National Association of Professional Women.

I align my success with those around me, and I am humbled to receive this award and excited because it’s received because of who I am and not because of where I’m associated. Receiving this, especially being nominated by those I respect and admire, gives me hope, strength, and encouragement to stay on my course and to keep pushing other women in our field to grow and succeed.”

Hilary Passo has spent most of her professional career looking for ways to improve and expand the companies where she works and those she believes in. Hilary is the vice president of HR and personnel development for First Option Mortgage. Her career endeavors focus on bringing technology into the workplace, expanding inclusion and diversity efforts, and creating a transparent and safe environment for growth. Not one to shy away from opportunities, Hilary has spent her life on harnessing human talent, challenging the status quo, and creating change.

Hilary loves music, her friends and family, reading, and exploring the world around her. She admits to having a fun side, “I enjoy telling (hopefully) funny stories and going on adventures with as many people who will join.” Hilary believes in women empowering women and setting a stage for marginalized people to have a voice. She credits the 20/20 Vision for Success Coaching program for guiding her to stand proud of her experiences and be open about her skills and accomplishments, both professionally and personally.

Throughout her 10-year career in human resources, Hilary has raised $400K+ in grant money towards education, technology, and accessibility enhancements. She has opened eight businesses under a holdings company with an 87 percent success and retention rate, and in 2019 she received the MBA Small Business Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Hilary holds a B.A. in Commercial Music, a B.S. in Computer Science, and an M.S. in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies from Florida State University. She is a published poet, wine enthusiast, and all-around nerd for knowledge.

My number one mission is to see more women surviving and thriving both in their professional and personal lives.”

Jaime Trull is a financial literacy coach and speaker focused on helping entrepreneurs feel more confident about the numbers side of their businesses. She is committed to helping women understand the financial side of their business and use the knowledge to transform both their professional and personal world. Her goal is to set a course for financial success through the implementation of new processes and a renewed excitement about your business!

As women our strengths come from learning from one another, supporting each other, and always following our passion. As an innovator and woman in tech, overcoming obstacles with self-confidence rather than self-doubt becomes routine. Success comes from tapping into the strength that comes from listening and trusting one’s inner voice to push and persevere.”

Jane Mason has earned a reputation as an industry visionary beginning with her first foray into the mortgage and banking arena. In 2008, Jane left a successful career with a local law firm and set off to build and deliver a new way for companies to do business. Armed with a vision to automate processes and develop workflows in a multidirectional manner, Jane packaged her concept, the innovative workflow application known today as CLARIFIRE®, and pitched it to a large multinational financial services corporation.

With confidence and raw passion for change, Jane won her first major client and developed an enduring relationship with the financial services corporation. Jane has repeatedly shown herself to be a groundbreaker, pushing the CLARIFIRE® application to the forefront of technology breakthroughs in the mortgage, banking, and healthcare industries.

Throughout her career, Jane has exhibited a capacity to push the industry envelope and evoke real change, earning her a reputation as a pioneer of process. Beyond achieving success as an inventive trendsetter, Jane exemplifies how passion can become reality through persistence, diligence, and dedication to one’s vision.

Jane sees that the future of women in our industry is vast, and she knows it is not accomplished alone. She continues to promote and mentor women professionals from both inside and outside of her industry, including within her community and her college alumni, and she is committed to fostering the advancement of women in the workplace.

Jane regularly publishes articles and blogs on thought leadership and shares her personal story at industry conventions, virtual conferences, and other forums. By seizing every opportunity to share her experiences and her passion, Jane continues to encourage women to achieve their dreams, no matter how small, or how difficult the journey.

A year ago, I attended the Vision Summit where I saw the 2019 Women With Vision Award winners recognized on stage. It was impressive, memorable, and impactful. Fast forward to today when the goal I set that day became a reality! Receiving this award in 2020 has impacted me in my personal and professional life, boosting my confidence, and broadening my connections.”

Janet Pagan has been a relentless crusader for 22 years, dedicated to helping families obtain the American Dream of homeownership. Her focus on building relationships and contributing within the community has enabled her to both achieve her own goals and help others reach their dreams, whether it is for homeownership, referral business, or small business growth. Janet is active in her community as a volunteer and in women’s networks where she mentors, encourages, and promotes growth for women coming into the mortgage industry.

I’m honored someone would nominate me for a Women With Vision Award. It means by pursuing my passion to help others, I’m making a difference in businesses and lives.”

Jen Du Plessis is a female icon in our industry who has done amazing things for all women. She is an educator, author, teacher, trainer, and speaker. She has led by example in the trenches of originations, as is evident in the numerous industry awards she’s won, as well as her leadership in management over several decades. Jen continues to be at the forefront of all things that lead women with her incredible vision spread across the industry through podcasts, retreats, speaking, and teaching at conventions and private events.

America’s Mortgage Mastery Mentor, Jen Du Plessis, is passionate about empowering mortgage and real estate professionals to achieve professional and personal breakthroughs so they can stop the daily chaos. She works with mortgage and real estate professionals who are overwhelmed in their daily routines and feel like they are sabotaging their personal lives for the sake of their business success.

Jen is a recognized influencer in the industry. She is an Amazon #1 best-selling author, the host of two podcasts, and a highly sought-out, charismatic speaker. Jen has shared the stage with several well-known motivational and industry speakers, including Tony Robbins, Barbara Corcoran, and Jack Canfield.

Jen regularly contributes to Mortgage Executive Magazine and Mortgage Women Magazine and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. She has also appeared on Good Morning America, Voice America, and Mortgage News Network.

Married to her high school sweetheart for 37 years, Jen is a mother of two, and glamma of three. She is a competitive ballroom, latin, and swing dancer, competitive markswomen, and loves to play tennis. Often you will find Jen with her family baking, traveling, or wine hopping at the more than 47 wineries near her home in northern Virginia’s hunt country.

To receive this award is layered for me. My love, admiration, and appreciation for Christine Beckwith is not to be described in a few words. Christine embodies a woman with a vision and, with this award, has created a true category in this space that no one has done before. It is an extraordinary feeling to receive this award. I will forever be grateful. I am encouraged to continue my efforts to progress the vision and culture of the company I work for and with. To the women who have received this award and who will receive this award, it is an honor to stand with you.”

Jenna Silverman is the chief operating operator of Culture Matters, a high-level coaching company working with companies to establish (or re-establish) their core values and build training platforms. She is an advocate for change because she believes without change there is no growth and without growth, there is no education. Jenna brings a strong background in psychology, hospitality, and marketing to the job, along with leadership skills to create organization out of chaos. Jenna is a brand ambassador who can produce an incredible story into videography and an executor and an influencer of incredible magnitudes.

When Jenna is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and traveling.

Since our first event in January 2018, I’m proud to say we’ve helped forge hundreds of new business relationships resulting in millions of dollars in technology sales, salary increases, and career advances.”

Jeri Yoshida is a co-founder of the mortgage industry’s first and only technology summit for women executives. NEXT Mortgage Events brings hundreds of C-suite and high-ranking mortgage lending executives together to exchange intel and learn what’s NEXT in industry technology.
Jeri brings 15 plus years of mortgage industry experience primarily focused on public relations for mortgage lenders and their B2B product and service providers. She is committed to assuring a continued platform for women to grow their visibility and career opportunities in the mortgage industry. Yoshida provides access to intel and individuals women mortgage executives need to succeed.

When not bringing top executives together or finding ways to provide them with intel that gives them a competitive advantage, Jeri says she’s likely to be found traveling in Europe, playing with her dog, watching local theatre, or in a kitchen ruining a perfectly good recipe.

I am thrilled that mortgage women are being recognized for their achievements and that a new generation of mortgage women will be carrying the torch, enlightening the world to the contributions they make to the industry.”

Karen Deis is a pioneer for women in the mortgage industry. As owner of her first company she was the first woman closing agent, loan officer, branch manager, and she ran the first women-owned mortgage company with an all-female staff in her small town. As a result of a family tragedy, Karen and her co-owner sister chose to sell the company. It was Karen’s desire, following the loss of her sister, to mentor other women and share with them how they could grow their own mortgage businesses. Understanding how women conduct business differently than men, Karen realized women needed a place where they could receive peer advice and network with other women in the mortgage business.

While attending mortgage industry events, Karen noticed a lack of women speakers. Recognizing opportunity and embracing how filling this need fit her vision for women in the mortgage field, she created the Mortgage Women Speakers Bureau. MWSB is a platform where top women experts in the mortgage industry can be discovered and hired to speak. Karen continues to work toward fulfilling her vision for women in mortgage and is succeeding in her goal to make sure more women are hired as speakers at industry events.

Katie has quickly risen to become a strategic leader and innovator in the mortgage industry. Her experience in all aspects of the mortgage industry including, consumer direct, correspondent, and wholesale, have given her the insight to be a key voice for the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) and the entire broker community. Her proven team leadership skills, focused on encouragement and positive reinforcement, allows for her teams’ consistent growth and is central to their success. Prior to entering the mortgage industry, Katie worked in healthcare with a focus on competitive intelligence and supply-chain management, developing extensive behavioral profiles. Katie has held leadership positions since early in her career. Her sound approach to leading teams and building relationships has consistently been directly reflected in the results she brings to the table.

Katie Sweeney is currently the Executive Vice President of Strategy for AIME where she oversees the day-to-day operations. Under Katie’s leadership, AIME has taken a data-driven approach to all facets of operations. Her industry knowledge has also helped guide AIME’s member education efforts. Katie has successfully brought to market an innovative, all-in-one platform and custom lender portal for the wholesale mortgage channel, managed new customer acquisition and portfolio retention for a top-10 government lender, and formalized partnerships with over 50 leading lending institutions and service providers.

Receiving this award has been a humbling experience. There is no greater feeling than being given the opportunity to serve, connect, and give back the leadership that has been given to me.”

Kelsey Rauchut is an industry leading national business development manager and growth coach with AnnieMac Home Mortgage. Kelsey possesses determination and kindness and is all about helping others grow. She is a mortgage and real estate connector who takes an innovative approach providing new solutions for increasing monthly transactions and balancing quality of life for mortgage and real estate professionals nationally to thrive in today’s market. Over the past seven years, her approach has paid off; she has acquired close to $1 billion in mortgage production.

Kelsey was Mortgage Banking’s Most Powerful Women Award Winner in 2019 and featured in National Mortgage Professional Magazine. She is also a two-time President’s Club winner, in both 2019 and 2020.
Kelsey has a vision of growth and collaboration for women in our industry; a vision for women to come together and dominate the Mortgage world.

As a professional in the mortgage field, it is my greatest pleasure and honor to work with clients to tailor a loan solution to meet their needs.”

Kimberly Kissane opened her first mortgage company in 2006. Although she was young, only 23 years old at the time, she knew this to be what she wanted to do and believed she would be successful. She partnered with Premier Choice Mortgage, first as the senior loan adviser then as an owner when she purchased the company. Kimberly believes in the broker model in relation to origination and prefers the one-on-one contact brokers enjoy with clients.

Kimberly has been a force in this business for many years and has proven that even during a pandemic, she will not be stopped. Since surviving the crash of 2008, she has remained a successful broker and is an involved member of the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME), serving with the AIME Women’s Affinity Group.

Kimberly continues to inspire her team with a strong work ethic and willingness to help others. She is a mentor to her staff and leads them to their own success in the mortgage business. Her dedication to her team, family, and clients is pure excellence at its finest. In addition to serving her clients well, she is actively serving her community and raising two growing kids. She enjoys watching her son play competitive baseball as well as spending time with her family and friends entertaining at her home.

Receiving this award is truly an honor! I have had the privilege to meet some fantastic women in our industry and I hope I am able to inspire other women the way I have been inspired. I am proud of what my team and I have accomplished and excited to share this honor with them. I hope to leave behind a legacy and this recognition is definitely the step towards building my legacy!”

Kiran Shah is a natural leader as is evident in both her personal and professional life. She is motivated and driven by achievement and has a heart of gold. She cares about her people and aspires to help them grow and achieve their dreams.

Kiran’s 10 years in the mortgage industry, starting as a processor and culminating today as area president managing more than 50 people, has proven to be her professional passion. In 2008, she launched an insurance agency and happily returned to mortgage in 2014 when she joined First Option Mortgage.

Kiran recently celebrated 13 years of marriage and has two boys. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family. Kiran strives to maintain a work-life balance and makes sure her business and home are both cared for and valued. At the end of the day, she is committed to helping other women grow and succeed in leadership positions within her company to find the same satisfaction and success she enjoys.

I’m truly honored to be recognized with the 2020 Women With Vision Award. I wasn’t expecting it and it makes me feel like I’m going in the right direction. Thank you so much!”

Laila is a trailblazer. Eloquently spoken, incredibly focused, and brilliant with marketing, she is exceptional in her expertise. When she speaks, people listen. Laila is well connected and networked within our industry, followed by many of the mover and shakers. She leaves people inspired. She has a vision for women to progress, rise through the ranks, and hold positions that help us evolve well past our current state.
Laila Khan currently serves as the assistant vice president of marketing and communications for Guidance Residential. Laila is active across the industry in organizations, as a contributor to publications, and as a speaker. Laila has been recognized with the Top 20 Sales, Marketing, and PR Trailblazer Awards and was a Mortgage Banker Association Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Recipient.

“I’ve always been reluctant to pursue or accept recognition for my accomplishments”, Laila shares, “because I’m always looking ahead as to what more is needed. It’s a mindset–unless it’s perfect, there’s nothing to celebrate and I, by my own standards, have a ways to go. As a Muslim American woman and the mother of 2 daughters and a son, I believe in purposeful work and legacy building. While these are weighted words, each of us harnesses the ability to contribute and improve upon our own spaces. I need to do my part and open these doors so the next time someone who looks like me or sounds like me comes around, it’s a familiar feel. In that effort, I feel building bridges is imperative because as we get to know one another, we develop more of an understanding for each other and recognize that our similarities heavily outweigh our differences. I’m grateful to work for a company with such great leadership that I learn from all the time. Every day is an opportunity to be your best, do your best, and recognize that in all that effort, we are just beginning.”

Being named the first Women With Vision Award Winner for 2020 was a complete surprise! I have watched other leading women receive this award, and I am humbled to be a part of such a successful group of women leading the way in our industry.”

Laura Kay has been in real estate lending, sales, and leadership for over 20 years and in 2018 she was named in the Top 40 Under 40 by National Mortgage Professionals Magazine. Laura Kay is a coach for lenders and real estate producers on how to grow their business. In 2019, she served as president of the Iowa Mortgage Association. She teaches secondary markets and warehouse lending for the Mortgage Bankers Association.

For many years, Laura Kay has seen herself as the Keeper of the Flame for all the strong women leaders who taught her along the way. As a Women With Vision Award Winner, she looks forward to continuing the legacy by helping others along who follow her path.

Receiving this award has allowed me to see my worth. I have worked hard in the industry for 20 plus years making a name for myself. This award validates my efforts. I am humbled and blessed to have been recognized.”

Laurie is a creative, persistent, agile business professional who brings a strong focus to the table when nurturing relationships with existing clients and developing new business opportunities. Her expertise lies in creating penetrative marketing strategies to help fulfill a business’ potential. On an individual level, Laurie is committed to personal development and progression, taking an enthusiastic approach to direct sales. Her proven track record of achieving targets in a competitive environment speaks for itself.

I am humbled and amazed to be a two-time winner. This award has opened doors for me I never thought could open. The world is at my feet, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

Leora Ruzin, Certified Mortgage Banker, is an advocate for common-sense mortgage lending practices and is passionate about advances in first-time homebuyer and low-to-moderate income lending programs. Leora holds degrees in accounting and business management. A veteran of the United States Army, she lives in Merced, California with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

In addition to helping evolve and streamline the wholesale experience for brokers at Equity Prime Mortgage, Leora was named managing editor of Mortgage Women Magazine at the beginning of 2020.

“It has been an amazing experience,” Ruzin says, “to be the steward of a publication that has been a part of my career since 2015, and I am lucky to be in a position to open doors for other women who want to share their passion through words.”

Ruzin, a 14-year veteran in mortgage, believes it is important for women to advocate for themselves. Recent events in our industry have proven women with the skills and tools to be successful and work together to rise make this industry stronger.

This award gives me an opportunity to share my experience and knowledge, and empower women to be independent, to be bold, and help their dreams become reality. I took a leap of faith 30 years ago. This award validates the vision of a powerful mind. I see no color, I see no gender.”

Lil Lacson Abee has over 30 years of experience within the mortgage industry. She began as a real estate salesperson but with the encouragement of an account executive she made the decision to open her own mortgage brokerage. Over the years, she has mentored other women looking to open their own brokerage firm. Even with all the challenges 2020 has presented, this year has allowed her to focus on building her business and she has exceeded her own goals for the year.

Lil’s life is focused on service. She defines herself as the mother of her household, a role unlike the typical mom. Lil provides support to our military troops overseas. After 9/11, her husband was deployed several times as a U.S. Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan. When he was home, he was also serving as a Police Officer. Her two oldest sons also joined the U.S. Marines and after their military service, one son pursued a career in law enforcement while the other pursued a career as a firefighter. And her youngest child is to join the Air Force ROTC program in college. As the mother of military service members and first responders, she found her niche in serving those who served! Serving the people who she knows; her family.

Her vision for women is to have courage and take a leap of faith just as she did in 1990 when she opened her Mortgage Brokerage and as she’s doing now in 2020. Without action, it’s just a dream. It is up to each woman to do everything in her power to make dreams become a reality.

This is my very first award! I am happy I was nominated for this award and proud of the work I have done. I will continue to educate borrowers in our community and help them become homeowners!”

Mara Prestes, who joined the mortgage industry in 2016, is of Brazilian decent. From her starting role as a junior processor, Mara soon recognized her highest and best value was in origination and she set out to receive her LO license. Today, as a loan originator, one of Mara’s strengths is her trilingual language skills which enhance her ability to help many people from different areas of the world. She loves what she does and proudly enjoys helping people achieve the dream of home ownership. In her free time, she spends as much time as possible with her baby daughter and enjoys hanging out with her friends and traveling. “I am at the start of my career,” Mara says, “and I look forward to growing in this business and spending many years helping people.”

Through the mPower Community, I have met many amazing women who have helped me every day. It’s how I met Christine, and we continue to work together to support women in our industry. I am honored to be an award recipient.”

Marcia M. Davies is chief operating officer for the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA ) where she has numerous responsibilities, including, but not limited to, ensuring cross-organizational alignment, facilitating the implementation of strategic initiatives, and maintaining oversight of key organizational priorities. She is also the lead strategist for MBA’s external activities including public affairs and the marketing division and provides leadership to several other divisions throughout MBA.

Marcia is the founder of mPower – MBA Promoting Opportunities for Women to Extend their Reach—MBA’s networking platform for women in the real estate finance industry. Under her leadership, mPower has grown into an engaged community of more than 24,000, providing best-in-class conference and webinar programming, networking events, and online opportunities to stay engaged. Through mPower, more women are positioned to achieve leadership status and are well represented in all segments of the industry. mPower is the largest women’s group in the industry.

Marcia also serves as a board member for MBA’s Open Doors Foundation and is a member of several industry organizations including the NAWRB Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council (NDILC) and the Women in Housing Finance and the International Women’s Leadership Association.

Marica has been awarded numerous awards throughout her career including: the Silver Stevie Awards for Women in Business 2018 Maverick of the Year, the Five Star’s Laurie A. Maggiano Legacy Award, the NAWRB 2018 Industry Revolutionary Award, and the CIFS Diversity & Inclusion 2018 Trailblazer Award. In 2015, she was named as one of HousingWire’s 2015 Women of Influence.

Receiving the Women With Vision Award has felt like a milestone in the community of hardworking and amazing women. I am honored to be in this group and will cherish it for always.”

Maria Quattrone founded Maria Quattrone and Associates in 2005 and has owned her own real estate firm for the last seven years. Her firm provides a private banking model to her clients across the country.

“As a real estate firm,” Maria says, “we’re hired to get a job done no matter how challenging it is. We look for the solutions instead of the problems and create a better foundation. Communicate; if you do not ask, you will not receive. Be a problem-solver. Be the Solution.”

Through Maria’s leadership, her company has grown into one of the most successful real estate companies in Philadelphia. In 2020, Maria launched Be the Solution, a live show and podcast distributed across the country.

Maria has numerous awards and accolades. She has been exclusively endorsed as the recommended agent in the Greater Philadelphia Metro

Marketed by Barbara Corcoran, the real estate mogul on Shark Tank and ranked the number two agent in Pennsylvania by America’s Best. Maria is active within her community and supports numerous organizations such as Big Brother Big Sisters, Haven Women, and The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.

This award was a surprise to say the least. This community of women in the mortgage field have become sisters in arms, a shoulder to cry on or lift me up. These women are the people in my corner. My kids and husband, Chris, are thrilled that I am being honored for all my hard work. I am showing my kids what it means to hustle with heart and never back down when you are told you can’t or are not enough.”

Mary has been told by many along her fifteen-year journey she would never succeed solo, never help more than one family a month, never be able to provide for her own family. It was in saying no to these naysayers that Mary realized a great passion to be the best for herself and her kids, and be the best for her clients, serving them with honesty and integrity in every aspect of their transaction.

Mary began her career in 2005 in the mortgage and real estate industry, first focusing on real estate and then falling in love with the mortgage side. In 2009, focusing on her family, she worked with clients on a referral basis. She was eventually approached to be a loan partner and this is where she found her footing, running a team of five, originating for the broker, and handling client relationships. In 2017, Mary earned her NMLS license and ventured out on her own.

Integrity is at the core of what Mary does, as she describes here, “I am still a new broker in terms of being out on my own. I am still building relationships with my community and network, serving my clients and community in the best way I know how by treating them as my best friend, brother, parents; never anything less than. My clients are incredible and the reason I am here, doing what I love every day.” Mary focuses on building relationships with her clients and learns about them and their families and takes all the information into consideration when she is working with them. She always has her client’s best interest at heart. One of her life-long goals is to help as many women as possible become financially independent.

Mary spends her free time enjoying the outdoors with her husband, kids, and dogs. She is an avid volunteer for several non-profit organizations serving local law enforcement and their families, as well as at-risk single mothers.

New talent breeds innovation. Women have an enormous opportunity to help the mortgage industry overcome its challenges and reshape its future. Greater representation of women throughout the industry will ultimately lead to increased collaboration and integration between segments, creating greater efficiencies, lower costs, and improved customer service.”

Over a 20-year career, Maylene Tan Khieu has emerged as a knowledgeable and trusted expert in the mortgage banking industry. Her skills and perseverance led her quickly to the C-suite, where she currently serves as chief administrative officer, responsible for all aspects of New Day USA’s quality control, vendor management and servicing, and customer service programs. As she has risen up the ranks at NewDay, Maylene has made time to mentor other future leaders, both male and female.

“From the day she joined our company, May has been a key contributor to our growth and success,” said Rob Posner, CEO of NewDay USA. “Her deep expertise in FHA and as a VA underwriter have been critical to building NewDay USA’s reputation as one of the nation’s leading originators of government mortgage loans. We would not be the company we are today without her.”

Throughout her career, Maylene has been a strong proponent and supporter of developing programs that attract and train young, capable, innovative, and driven women professionals to the industry. While the mortgage industry as a whole is still primarily run by older professionals–and mostly men–who have struggled to attract new talent into the field, Maylene is confident current and future talented women leaders have already begun expanding the industry.

Prior to joining the NewDay in 1999, she was operations manager at Federal Funding Corporation. Maylene has a BS in Accounting from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. Pooja Bansal, NewDay USA’s chief human resources officer said, “She’s a hardworking and motivated leader. Her work ethic is off the charts, and her perspective carries enormous weight because she has literally worked in every part of the mortgage business.”

This award has helped me to achieve more recognition within the industry. I am sincerely grateful for this honor!”

Melanie Walburg has over 20 years of experience within the mortgage industry. In 2005, she started her own mortgage brokerage, Destiny Mortgage Lending. She is extremely hardworking and continues to be a top producer in the broker channel, being one of the top 100 producers in the country and in the top 1 percent in Georgia. Melanie has taken the time to help and coach others who are entering the industry. Melanie empowers women to be strong leaders, work hard, and build an empire for themselves.

My vision is to prove to the world success doesn’t have to look a certain way or fit into a particular mold.”

A mortgage broker since 2004, Melissa has always been an outside-of-the-box thinker. She is extremely tenacious, often reciting the famous movie quote, “Goonies Never Say Die” when she encounters a roadblock or unique situation in her industry.

Melissa’s greatest gift is the ability to connect and find commonality with everyone she meets. It doesn’t matter if they are a multi-million-dollar CEO or a first-time homebuyer, to Melissa they are equally important (just ask her to tell you her conveyor belt theory). She firmly stands by her motto, Authenticity Wins. Every Time.

When Melissa made a particular conscious change in her mindset, she was able to more than double her business and give herself a raise from making $30,000 to six figures in one year. A notable public speaker, she can inspire, energize, and encourage others to discover and utilize their inner strengths to propel their lives and careers to greater heights.

Being an award winner and having the ability to help influence other women along their own journey means the absolute world to me. Sharing this prestigious award with some of the most talented and inspirational women in our country is so very humbling and contributes to shaping my own vision of doing more and being more every single day.”

With over 15 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Michelle Dugan opened MS Lending, LLC, a boutique mortgage brokerage in Mississippi. Michelle also helps to co-lead several online masterminds for mortgage loan originators with a combined membership of over 500. During 2020, Michelle and her best friend, Ashley Miller, launched the Blondes Have More Funds podcast. The podcast focuses on empowering women by shining a light on the realities of the female journey. Michelle volunteers with several organizations on a local level.

Michelle has been recognized with several awards including being named Top 40 under 40 by National Mortgage Professional Magazine, one of the Top 50 Leading Business Women of Mississippi, and the 2019 Women With Vision Award.

Winning is about having the right attitude, determination, and learning from our failures. It is exciting to be recognized by such a successful organization!”

Neena Vlamis is the president and founder of A and N Mortgage. Since founding A and N Mortgage, is licensed in eight states, headquartered in Chicago. Neena and her team work with her borrowers to find the perfect mortgage for their unique financial circumstances.

Neena enjoys working with her team of lending consultants and educating her real estate partners on new lending and mortgage products.

Outside of her business, Neena loves being mother to her three children.

Being given this award is proof I love what I do, who I work for, and I am at the place where I belong. Receiving this recognition affirms my desire to keep growing professionally and within the company and to motivate others to achieve the same.”

Paola Colina started as a loan officer assistant at First Option Mortgage in October of 2019. A few months later, she became the branch’s loan processor. Most recently, she was named the processing supervisor across several branches within the company. Paola has outstanding customer service skills as well as strong interpersonal and management skills. She really enjoys training new processors in her team and wants them to be the best in the company. Paola wishes to be part of the success and continuous growth of the business and men and women leaders who trust her oversight saying, “I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to work for First Option Mortgage.”

I feel proud to have received the 2020 Women With Vision Award! I accept this award in honor of all women unseen in the mortgage industry. My own vision of powerful women running independent mortgage companies is something I will work tirelessly to achieve until I retire from this industry that has offered me many blessings!”

Patty is an award-winning entrepreneur and the co-founder and president of New American Funding. A first-generation Latina, she leverages more than 39 years of experience in the mortgage industry to lead the company’s sales and operations efforts. In addition, Patty created the company’s Latino Focus and New American Dream initiatives to improve the home lending experiences for Latino and Black home buyers.

Patty is also a popular keynote speaker for mortgage events across the nation. She is on numerous committees for organizations such as the Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), and the Housing Counseling Federal Advisory Committee (HCFAC). She frequently visits Washington, D.C. to lobby for the industry and homeowners. Ernst & Young recognized Patty as 2016 EY Entrepreneur of The Year® Orange County.

Being recognized for something that I truly care about is an honor and a privilege, and I am humbled to be amongst the other dynamic female recipients.”

As a Business-to-Business sales professional, Rhiannon Bolen is a trusted advisor in the mortgage industry where she has served in various roles for over 20 years. As an enterprise level sales executive her focus is to support her clients’ initiatives and help them navigate through the challenges lenders face in the mortgage industry. Rhiannon is dedicated to creating opportunities for women from all industry backgrounds so they create success for themselves.

Rhiannon is actively involved within the industry. She is a board member of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association where she has served as the committee chair on various committees for the past 10 years. She is also the founder of Texas Women Mortgage Bankers, a group within the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association. In the past she has served as the president for the Dallas chapter of NAPMW and is a past president of the Dallas Mortgage Bankers Association.

Within the TWMB group, she works to provide industry panels, women leadership keynotes ,and Open Forum Roundtables–an opportunity for members to engage and candidly interact about navigating challenges and sharing best practices for women in the mortgage industry. The program she is most proud of is the Mentor Matching program where mentees are matched with mentors and are provided an opportunity to engage and offered guidance and advice.

Rhiannon summarizes her experience as a Women With Vision Award winner thusly, “As an involved industry advocate, I think it’s important to engage and learn from peers and colleagues constantly. I have been fortunate to work for companies supportive of my involvement in industry associations and my desire to advance my knowledge and career and to take on roles in a leadership capacity. I am passionate about helping to support others in their career growth and trajectory. As this has evolved into volunteer work for women’s groups, I was eventually led to Women With Vision and saw the value being an active participant could bring for my personal growth.”

This is the first prestigious award I have received recognizing me for my hard work and dedication. This award encourages me to focus and accomplish my goals.”

Sabina Chowdhury used her degree in business administration for 15 years pursuing a career in human resource and management. Her experience across diverse industries held her in good stead when she made a career pivot in 2017 to take on the challenge of a career in the mortgage industry. Sabina is currently a processor with First Option Mortgage, building a base and platform for continued career growth.
“It makes me proud that someone recommended me for this award,” Sabina says. “Recognition of efforts put forth always makes a difference and encourages me to do better in the future.” Sabina is an avid traveler who enjoys exploring new countries, cultures, traditions, and foods.

Receiving this award has reinforced the importance of setting the right example to lift other women around me up to be confident, compassionate, and driven to achieve their maximum potential.”

Sarah DeCiantis leads United Wholesale Mortgage’s marketing, public relations, social media, and internal communications. Since joining UWM in 2014, Chief Marketing Officer, Sarah DeCiantis, has built the marketing effort from a small group to a team of 50 people. This team provides strategic direction to support the growth and success of UWM and their broker network. Her focus has been on branding UWM as the best mortgage company in the nation as well as providing tools and resources to mortgage brokers to help grow their business and the wholesale industry market share while helping borrowers purchase their dream home.

Sarah is a true visionary when it comes to helping brokers enhance their marketing and business capabilities, creating greater visibility for brokers so they can offer lending solutions to more borrowers. As a leader, Sarah prides herself on truly being in the weeds in all aspects of UWM Marketing. She meets with clients to help assess their goals from a marketing perspective so UWM can help them grow their business, stressing the importance of building a strong social presence and driving business through content. Sarah provides clients with the knowledge to leverage marketing tools and technology. She works tirelessly to educate consumers and realtors that independent brokers are the best partners to work with when it comes to obtaining a mortgage.

Sarah is a HousingWire Vanguard Award winner, a part of the MPA Hot 100, and NMP Magazine’s 40 under 40. She has a vision for the industry to continue its growth, opening opportunities for more women to join the wholesale channel in a variety of positions including mortgage brokers, realtors, processors, and underwriters.

This is the first award I have received. It is privilege to be recognized as a woman leader and it makes me proud to see how the work I do is appreciated and recognized. I’m honored that someone recommended me for this award. Validation of efforts put forth always make a difference.”

Shelly-Ann Campbell brings close to 10 years of experience within the real estate industry as a business development vice president and realtor. Most days Shelly-Ann directs First Option Mortgage in developing and maintaining business within the Atlanta area. Always in attendance at Atlanta’s top industry events and often fondly proclaimed the life of the party, Shelly-Ann builds and maintains solid relationships everywhere she goes. Her opinions are highly valued and people trust and respect her judgment. She has a proven knack for persuading and influencing high-ranking individuals. Shelly-Ann’s goal is to live a life of faith, service, and empowerment of others.

I believe it is vital to always look for ways to increase efficiencies while at the same time providing the most competitive pricing and products to help our sales team grow and win more deals.”

Sheri Nedley has worked her way from being The Mortgage Firm’s first closer in correspondent lending in 1999 to Senior Vice President of capital markets and operations today. Through her self-assurance, knowledge and financial background, Sheri has led the company to over $2.5 billion a year in production. Even throughout unpredictable times within the industry, Sheri has implemented changes within the company to increase profitability and allow the company to execute at a high level

Sheri continues to find new ways to operate that allows her teams to do more with current staffing. She responsible for implemented outsourcing, AI/Robotics, additions to the company’s tech stack, as well as improvements in Lender relationships and product offerings.
Sheri holds herself with great dignity and integrity, enjoys a solid work ethic and is admired by her colleagues as a steadfast, solid, manager who garners respect from the operations and sales teams alike.

Receiving this award is especially meaningful because it is a direct recognition from my colleagues. Being recognized as a leading woman in the Mortgage Industry, among the other incredible women who won this award, is an honor. As a WWV Award winner, I’ve gained recognition in my community and social media network.”

Skylar started with Acadia Lending Group in 2011 as a loan officer Assistant. She worked her way through the company, rising to become a full-time loan officer in 2015. Skylar currently is a Top 100 and Top 1% loan originator in the country, as well as the Top Originator in the State of Maine. She provides affordable, reliable, lending options to people looking to purchase property. Her main focus is to make the process as smooth and easy as possible for the client, while making it a great, personable, and memorable experience.

In the opinion of coworkers, Skylar “is truly a woman to be admired. Not only can she originate and close 50 plus loans per month, but she is also raising three young children! She is one to watch and to look up to.” She was presented the 2018 and 2019 Scotsman Top Originator Award, as well as the Scotsman Top Women Originator Award.

To be a two-time winner of this award means a lot to me. The past few years have been challenging to me personally and professionally. Receiving recognition by the esteemed group making this winner selection is a boost to my confidence and affords me new vigor to find ways I never dreamt of to give back to other women.”

Stacie Rankey has served for 20 years delivering a broad base of skills, including sales, client relations, marketing, human resources, and operational management, to a range of companies. Focusing in recent years on the mortgage industry, she has specialized in title and compliance roles as well as offering a range of solution-based services through her company, Full Circle Solutions.

Stacie brings her excellent communication and presentation skills into focus to promote ideas to individuals and groups at all levels in an organization. She is a fighter who steps up to the bar and beyond saying, “Going through breast cancer taught me that I am stronger than I thought. It prompted me to develop Survivors Voice, a new YouTube channel for women to share their stories. There is a need for this kind of resource for women and men fighting breast cancer, as well as their caregivers, to have a voice.”

Stacie exemplifies the premise of the Women With Vision Award by showing how, when the vision changes, she continues to make an impact ensuring betterment and growth for the next generation of women with vision.

I am more comfortable being the person behind the scenes. Receiving this award makes me recognize I do have influence and I need to use it wisely, and most importantly, I owe it to the people who have helped me over the years, to pass the baton and help others achieve their own professional success.”

Tara has a forward vision to see more and more women at the helm of mortgage business and leading the charge. Tara acts as a mentor for those looking to do the same. Healy has over 20 years of experience within the mortgage industry with special focus in the areas of origination, operations management, and compliance. She currently serves as the vice president of compliance for Cherry Creek Mortgage Co., Inc.

A true advocate for the mortgage banking industry, Tara serves as the youngest female president of Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association (CMLA), a member of the CMLA Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee, past chair of the CMLA Education and Events Committee, and a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association Legal Issues and Regulatory Compliance Committee. Tara was awarded the prestigious Certified Mortgage Banker designation in 2018 and is one of only 11 women in Colorado to have this designation.

I appreciate my husband for thinking highly of what I do and that I deserve this award. He was impressed by the organization when he attended a training and nominated me for the award. It is gratifying to know he thinks of me as a woman with vision!”

Tracy Tragesser is a leader within her market. She has led her branch through consistent community involvement and has increased small business success. This has led her to consistently grow revenue in small business loan revenue, Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) revenue, and depository accounts. Tracy has received the sales leader award in 2018 for leading in the 2017 fiscal year.

Tracy believes strong women in banking will climb the ladder to senior management positions.