Aside from bringing on a diverse group of industry leaders to the Mortgage Women Leadership Council Advisory Board, the council, this year, is ushering in a new structure.

The format, which introduces new advisory board subcommittees, is designed to expand opportunities for collaboration, strengthen industry recognition initiatives, and create new ways for members to engage with the growing community, said Meghan Golden, director of digital communications for the council.

The transition comes on the heals of the recent induction of the newest advisory board members, many of whom expressed a strong desire to begin contributing immediately to the council’s continued growth, Golden said. In response to that enthusiasm, the board leadership team developed the subcommittees, inviting the metmbers to join groups that speak to them so they can channel the council’s expertise, industry relationships, and leadership experience into initiatives that benefit the broader MWLC community. 

These committees will help guide efforts to expand programming, increase visibility for women in the mortgage industry, and strengthen the connections that define the council network, Golden said. 

The framework allows board members to collaborate on targeted initiatives designed to support professional growth, elevate industry voices, and expand opportunities for engagement among members.

In a recent meeting, the advisory board decided on several target areas of focus for the subcommittees.

To begin with, Golden said, the members want to strengthen the council’s recognition initiatives, so outstanding women across the mortgage industry continue to be celebrated and highlighted. To this end, the council will elevate more voices, spotlight leadership across different industry sectors and provide meaningful opportunities for women to gain visibility for the impact they are making within their organizations and the broader mortgage community.

Members also plan on finding more time to connect throughout the year. In this manner, they will strengthen their sense of community conversation, collaboration, and peer support across council programs, working groups, and events, Golden said. The goal is to make it easier to build relationships, share insights, and stay engaged with the council between major industry gatherings.

As the organization continues to expand, part of the advisory board’s work will focus on identifying ways to introduce more professionals to the council network and increase participation in its programs.

By leveraging the collective industry relationships of its advisory board members, the council hopes to broaden awareness of its initiatives and create additional opportunities for women across the mortgage industry to participate in the community.

The new structure will also support initiatives that align with the council’s broader mission of advancing women in the industry while encouraging meaningful engagement within the communities the organization serves. These efforts may include programs that highlight diverse perspectives within the industry as well as opportunities for members to come together around service and community impact.

Alongside the subcommittee launch, council leaders are exploring new ways to keep community conversations active and accessible for members. The goal is to create an environment that makes it easier than ever for council members to reach out to one another, connect with leadership, and stay engaged with council initiatives throughout the year.

The new subcommittee structure reflects the enthusiasm of the advisory board and the organization’s commitment to building a collaborative leadership community. By strategically tapping into the experience and strengths of its board members, the council has set out to continue expanding opportunities for connection, recognition, and professional growth — while strengthening the network that brings women across the mortgage industry together.

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Board Members Speak About Women In Leadership

This year’s new advisory board members come from varying backgrounds and include CEOs, COOs, founders, managing partners, broker-owners, executive directors, presidents and vice presidents. While their skillsets and expertise span different aspects of the industry, they share a passion for joining the board, believe in the power of mentorship to build others up and see the council as a means to create a safe community and space for women to grow professionally. 

While they each have individual management styles, they share the desire to bring more women to the industry table and are tapping leadership skills to lift and build women up. They speak of the power of mentoring and bringing in diverse voices. Overall, the group shares a belief that leaders should work collaboratively while supporting and empowering others -women in particular. Over and over, they speak of confidence, resilience, inspiring, elevating and lifting others up. They see the board as a space to achieve these goals and want to have an impact in creating pathways and opening doors for more women to step into their potential.

Sydney Payne, COO at Simplending Financial, for example, believes leadership is about creating space for others to rise. While she acknowledges leading involves setting direction and making decisions, for her it also means mentoring, advocating, and ensuring diverse voices are heard. In guiding women toward empowerment, leaders must model confidence, resilience, and collaboration while challenging barriers that have historically limited opportunities, she adds.

“I saw firsthand the impact of inclusive leadership,” she said. “Having my mentors showed me that leadership is most powerful when it empowers others to see their strengths and step into their own potential."

Suha Zehl, founder and chief innovation officer at Z Technology Solutions, notes that leadership is not about titles or hierarchy, but creating space where others can rise. To empower women, leadership should model courage, authenticity, and resilience so other women feel seen, heard, and capable of stepping into their own power. 

“It means using my influence to advocate for equity, to amplify underrepresented voices, and to mentor the next generation so that the path is a little clearer and a little wider for those who follow,” she said. “Leadership is legacy and it’s our responsibility to ensure the impact continues long after any one of us has left the room.”

Erica LaCentra, CMO at RCN Capital believes showing up authentically, leading by example, and providing meaningful contributions is the way to empower women. She hopes for a future in which women holding leadership roles is not the exception but expectation, and wants women to stop being hesitant to step into leadership roles.

Jacqueline ‘Jax’ Crider, managing partner at PBJ believes true leadership is intentional. She stresses the importance in understanding the people she is leading, recognizing their struggles, and helping them see who they can become.

“It’s not just directing others; it’s inspiring them to rise into the best versions of themselves,” she said.

Andrea Ruiz, loan officer branch manager at Not Your Average Lender defines leadership as the ability to inspire, guide, and create opportunities for others to reach their potential. To raise women up, leadership must break barriers, advocate for equity, and cultivate an environment where they feel supported and confident to step into decision-making roles. 

“True leadership is not only about leading from the front but also about lifting others up, amplifying women’s voices, and modeling integrity, resilience, and collaboration,” she said. “I want to use my voice and platform to inspire other women to not only pursue leadership but to own it confidently.”

True leadership is not only about leading from the front but also about lifting others up, amplifying women’s voices, and modeling integrity, resilience, and collaboration,” Andrea Ruiz, loan officer branch manager at Not Your Average Lender.

Courtney Dodd, head of marketing at Floify believes leadership is about creating an environment where others feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. 

“It’s not just about setting direction, but about lifting people up along the way,” she said. “True leadership is less about titles and more about influence, the ability to inspire, to advocate, and to open doors for those coming behind you.”

To lift women up, leaders should use their voices and platforms to make space for others, encouraging confidence in rooms where women may have historically been underrepresented, and showing through action that collaboration and empathy are strengths, not weaknesses.

Annette Foulkes, broker/owner for Sterling Financial Services LLC sees leadership as the ability to guide and inspire others by showing up with integrity, resilience, and empathy.
“It’s not about a title, it’s about setting an example, creating opportunities, and helping others grow,” she said. 

She is passionate about using my experience to support and empower other women through the Advisory Board.

Andrea Keirn, Senior Director of Marketing Operations at the Federal Savings Bank believes leaders empower women through influence, inspiration and by guiding other toward shared goals while intentionally creating opportunities to amplify women's voices, decisions, capabilities and contributions. In addition to decision-making and vision-setting, leaders should model inclusion, foster equity and challenge organizational, structural and societal barriers that have historically limited women's advancement.

Shelby Fennewald, home equity manager at Central Trust Bank defines a leader as someone who models the way for those around them and demonstrates empathy even in situations where understanding may be limited. She sees the advisory board as a space where women continue to grow, learn, nurture, and change the mold.

Dana Georgiou, CEO at Lending Luminary sums her leadership journey as “Grit, Grind, and Grace.” She says women can have soft hearts, but firm spines. She envisions a future where women don't have to choose between strength and grace or between being successful and being supportive and says her philosophy is that women can be fierce competitors and compassionate collaborators. 

“They can close million-dollar deals and text someone just to check in,” she said.

“They can close million-dollar deals and text someone just to check in,” Dana Georgiou, CEO at Lending Luminary.

Melissa Rice, executive director at 63 Capital and Investments says leadership is about showing up, standing firm in your values, and helping others rise with you and being the one who listens, encourages, and leads by example. She believes real leadership is rooted in faith, humility, and purpose and is not about being perfect, but being present.

Leadership in regards to women’s empowerment is breaking barriers and building bridges. 

“It’s having the courage to speak up, even when your voice shakes, and the wisdom to know when to step back and let someone else shine,” she said. “It’s mentoring, sharing resources, and creating opportunities for other women to thrive.”

Sue Meitner, CMB President at Centennial Lending Group said leadership is guiding, supporting, and empowering others to reach their potential. In women’s empowerment, it means advocating for representation, fostering confidence, and building communities where women advance together

Her vision is to see more women in leadership roles across the industry, including leading branches, divisions, companies, and strategic conversations. 

“We are already capable; we simply need the access, confidence, and support to step forward,” she said.

Janet Pagan Branch Manager at PRMG, described leadership as the ability to inspire, elevate, and create space for others to thrive, especially those whose voices have historically been underrepresented.

To encourage women’s empowerment, leader must show up with authenticity, lead with empathy, and using their influence to open doors for others. 

“It’s not just about making decisions, it’s about making a difference,” she said.

Cindi Harris, founder and owner of Harris Real Estate Valuation and Consulting LLC, defines leadership as empowering others, building trust, creating a safe space for authenticity and courage, and paving the way for others -especially women- to navigate spaces historically not designed for them with strength and grace. She noted that women are needed in leadership. 

“We bring empathy and wisdom to the table in a way that is critical for teams,” she said.

“We bring empathy and wisdom to the table in a way that is critical for teams,” Cindi Harris, founder and owner of Harris Real Estate Valuation and Consulting LLC.

Eliana Parada, producing branch manager at Supreme Lending, said leadership is rooted in service, vision, and empowerment and requires breaking barriers while building bridges.

LaDonna Lockard, Licensed Realtor and Education advocate, is passionate about helping women grow in confidence and clarity. She believes leadership means sharing experience, supporting growth, and creating opportunities that allow others to step fully into their potential.

Elizabeth Mix, CMB and vice president at Western Alliance Bank, believes leadership is about creating confidence through guidance, opportunity, and consistent support.

Ultimately, this group of women not only seeks an avenue for giving back to the mortgage community, but wants to assure the opportunities for women continue to expand and there are always welcoming places for them at the table.