Tell us about your career path. My career path has taken me to many areas I did not expect or (truthfully) understand until I was able to reflect back. Fresh off a move from Oklahoma to New Jersey after college, I started my first position at PHH US Mortgage as a Mortgage Associate in 1993 during one of the early refinance booms. I knew nothing about lending or mortgages when I took the role, but I kept a very open and can-do attitude. I was quickly promoted through fulfillment roles, and within a few years I was a manager. I found what I loved to do and that was empowering my team to be successful by providing them with the tools they needed. I led Private Label teams that supported numerous banks and financial institutions. I worked side by side with my Corporate Sales and Originations partners to sell our platform and ensure we delivered. Still being open to any and all opportunities, I was given the option to join the M&A team for the PHH/MLCC merger. This meant I could spend some time in Florida vs. New Jersey, so I enthusiastically said yes! I worked my way into a permanent role in Florida leading fulfillment teams supporting Merrill Lynch. A very pivotal moment happened when I was given the opportunity to move from fulfillment to originations. I came to understand the different pressures loan originators had from their seat. This was incredibly eye opening and gave me new perspective. I took that newfound knowledge and educated my partners in other areas of the mortgage process on this perspective. Having the full end-to-end experience helped me be a better leader and partner and opened more doors for my career. I was recruited to join Countrywide Mortgage to lead Corporate Relocation originations. This eventually led to my oversight of originations, fulfillment, closing and underwriting. The role took me to the DFW area (back close to home) for the first time in over 11 years and I have been here since. Countrywide led to a Bank of America post-merger where I held many different roles leading fulfillment teams and divisions. I decided to look for opportunities elsewhere and joined UBS leading originations and fulfillment. This role was especially attractive to me as I would be able to lead the end-to-end process again. Growing the mortgage business for 5 years, I was given the opportunity to lead Service Strategy, a bank modernization project. This was a big leap of faith for me, but I was excited to give it a shot. My role has evolved to what it is now (and is still evolving) as Head of Banking Service Transformation.
Is this the career you always expected to have? Or the field you wanted to be in? Not at all! I am not sure where I thought I would end up when I graduated from college, but the mortgage industry seemed to know. When I reflect back, it is more clear to me that I was put in certain positions to grow or teach me what I enjoyed / did not enjoy, and more importantly, understand the impact I can have in my role and on others as a leader.
Did you face any challenges/setbacks as a woman in your profession? This is a tough question to answer and pinpoint. I have been the only woman in the room many times throughout my career, sometimes feeling respected and sometimes not. I have had challenges and wonderful experiences working for both men and women. It is the professional, authentic make-up of the person, not the gender, that I find can impact careers.
Who inspired you to be a leader and why? My father. I watched him grow through his career in the US Postal Service from a letter carrier all the way to Postmaster. I know I got my work ethic from him and learned along the way how to handle challenges, people and business in the right balance. He was my sounding board as I drove home from work almost every night.
What does the WEW mean to you?
In a word, enrichment. I am extremely honored to be part of this amazing group of successful, authentic, empowered, real women. I have made lifelong friends that I know will be there if and when I ever need them. They also know I am there for them in return.
How do you encourage women to not give up?
I focus on the positives while acknowledging the negatives. You own your energy and what you do with it. Allow yourself to focus on what you know you can impact and not dwell on what you cannot. Also, celebrate small victories along your journey as it makes the travel from start to finish more enjoyable and digestible.
What advice do you have for women looking to grow either within their own organization or to start their own business ventures?
My advice is to find a sounding board that can connect you to the right people to gain exposure. Also, be willing to step outside of your comfort zone in order to grow and expand. You need to understand that setbacks or failures can fuel your career based on how you respond and adapt.