Tag Archives: Women of Influence

FirstClose’s SVP of HR Katie Smith named 2025 HousingWire Woman of Influence

Smith's leadership has helped FirstClose drive innovation, retention and culture-building while scaling its home equity lending technology platform in a volatile market

AUSTIN, Texas, July 3, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced its Senior Vice President of Human Resources Katie Smith has been named a 2025 HousingWire Woman of Influence. The national award recognizes her exceptional leadership, commitment to company culture and impact on the fintech and mortgage lending industry.

Image caption: FirstClose’s SVP of HR Katie Smith.

Smith has played a key role in guiding FirstClose through a volatile market cycle, emphasizing transparency, support and people-first strategies. Over the past year, she launched a companywide leadership and management training program with 100% participation. Her efforts resulted in a 35% increase in employee satisfaction and a 50% reduction in voluntary turnover. Smith also led efforts to expand FirstClose’s workforce by 20% in 2025 while strongly emphasizing onboarding and culture. She guides executive recruitment, leads companywide meetings and is often the first point of contact for employees seeking support or mentorship.

“Katie is not just our head of HR. She is the cultural cornerstone of FirstClose,” said Tedd Smith, CEO of FirstClose. “Her leadership has carried this organization through challenging market cycles, not only stabilizing our workforce but transforming it. From championing leadership development to personally supporting teams through change, Katie brings a rare combination of strategic vision, empathy and consistency that has elevated every facet of how we work and grow.”

Outside of FirstClose, Smith contributes to HR leadership forums and mentors professionals entering the field. Her advocacy for strong people practices reflects her belief that culture is key to business success.

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by HousingWire,” Smith said. “But this recognition is really a reflection of the incredible team I have the privilege to serve every day. At FirstClose, we’ve worked hard to build a culture where people feel supported, empowered and connected to something bigger than themselves. What drives me is helping people thrive and making sure our values are reflected in everything we do.”

Now in its 16th year, the Women of Influence award honors leaders across mortgage, real estate and fintech who are making a measurable impact on their organizations and the broader housing economy. Winners were selected by HousingWire’s editorial team and a panel of industry professionals, based on their professional accomplishments, industry contributions, community involvement, and overall influence. The 2025 list reflects the depth and diversity of talent leading housing into the future.

“This year’s honorees reflect the depth of talent and leadership shaping today’s housing economy,” said Sarah Wheeler, Editor-in-Chief at HousingWire. “With a strategic vision and a deep commitment to their teams and communities, these women are not only driving progress but also paving the way for the next generation of leaders.”

About FirstClose:

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, FirstClose, Inc. is a fintech provider delivering digital solutions purpose-built for home equity and mortgage lending. Its platform combines property data intelligence, automated workflows and vendor integrations to streamline home equity originations by reducing costs, accelerating turn times and enhancing the borrower experience. Trusted by lenders nationwide, FirstClose empowers users with configurable technology for instant decisioning and end-to-end order management. Learn more at https://www.firstclose.com/.

NEWS SOURCE: FirstClose

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (FirstClose), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/firstcloses-svp-of-hr-katie-smith-named-2025-housingwire-woman-of-influence/

Class Valuation’s Melinda Lesinski named to HousingWire’s 2025 Women of Influence list

TROY, Mich., July 1, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Executive Vice President, Head of Operations Melinda (Mindy) Lesinski has been named to HousingWire’s 2025 Women of Influence list. HousingWire’s Women of Influence program was launched in 2010 to recognize women making notable contributions to both their businesses and the industry at large, with a specific focus on contributions during the most recent 12 months.

Image caption: Executive Vice President, Head of Operations Melinda (Mindy) Lesinski of Class Valuation.

Lesinski joined Class Valuation in September 2024 and quickly emerged as a leader with dual mastery of appraisal and mortgage operations, propelling Class Valuation’s evolution as a market leader in technology-enabled valuation services. Since joining the company, Lesinkski has led a sweeping operational overhaul, merging disparate systems, processes, and teams into one unified framework. Her strategic, process-driven leadership and commitment to building a culture of collaboration have transformed the Operations team into a single, high-performing unit.

With more than two decades of hands-on experience across lending institutions and appraisal management companies, she’s held senior operational roles at Chase, Solidifi, Valuation Connect and now Class Valuation. This breadth of experience equipped her to unify siloed groups into a team that embraces innovation and delivers consistent, elevated service.

Her leadership style is grounded in transparency, empathy and execution. From a young appraiser in her early twenties navigating a male-dominated field to an accomplished executive championing equity and inclusion, her mentorship underscores her commitment to shaping the future of Class Valuation and the broader valuation ecosystem.

Beyond her role at Class Valuation, Lesinkski is a dedicated mentor and advocate for women in real estate finance. She plays an active role in the nonprofit Women Empowering Women, where she guides and supports rising female professionals. Additionally, she has been involved with the Junior League of Greater Lakeland for more than a decade, contributing to numerous community projects and leadership initiatives to advance its mission of empowering women to drive meaningful, lasting impact in their communities.

“HousingWire Women of Influence honorees are leading meaningful progress across the housing economy, with influence spanning mortgage, real estate and the entire homeownership experience,” said Clayton Collins, CEO of HW Media. “They’re driving real results at some of the industry’s most impactful organizations.”

“Mindy isn’t just leading change — she’s creating cohesion, setting standards and redefining excellence across the organization,” said John Fraas, CEO of Class Valuation. “Under her leadership, Class Valuation has established more transparent processes, fostered collaboration and championed technology-driven workflows. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments here and grateful for this external recognition of her excellence and leadership by HousingWire.”

About Class Valuation:

Class Valuation is a leading nationwide appraisal management company (AMC) renowned for its commitment to fast turn times, exceptional quality and unparalleled client service. The company leverages a powerful combination of skilled professionals, innovative products, streamlined processes and advanced technology to empower lenders in fulfilling homeownership dreams. Consistently recognized by top mortgage lenders for its outstanding performance, Class Valuation has also earned accolades as a top workplace and received numerous industry awards. Founded in 2009, Class Valuation is headquartered in Troy, Michigan. For more information, please visit https://www.classvaluation.com.

Tags: @ClassValuation #appraisal #valuation #lending

NEWS SOURCE: Class Valuation

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Class Valuation), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/class-valuations-melinda-lesinski-named-to-housingwires-2025-women-of-influence-list/

Floify’s President and General Manager Sofia Rossato named to 2024 HousingWire Women of Influence and Inman Best in Finance lists

BOULDER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Sofia Rossato, its president and general manager, has received two new honors, being named to HousingWire's Women of Influence and Inman's Best in Finance list. The Inman award is the second in a row for Rossato.

Rossato was tapped to lead Floify in Spring 2022, soon after the popular mortgage point-of-sale company's acquisition by Porch Group. Taking the helm of a fintech company during a historically brutal housing market, Rossato has proven her mettle as a leader by strengthening Floify's market footprint with customer empathy and business acumen.

Since taking over at Floify, Rossato has infused new life into the popular mortgage point-of-sale (POS), overseeing the rapid rollout of features that help its lenders and broker customers optimize operations and improve borrower service. Last fall, she greenlit a verification of income and employment waterfall workflow and oversaw the launch of Floify Broker Edition in December 2023, followed by Floify Lender Edition in March 2024.

Prior to Floify, Rossato was managing director and COO for the billion-dollar information division of $17B fintech, IHS Markit. She also was CEO of SnapEngage, an omni-channel messaging platform and early adopter of AI.

HousingWire's Women of Influence program was launched in 2010 to recognize women making notable contributions to both their businesses and the industry at large - with a specific focus on contributions during the most recent 12 months.

Inman's 2024 Best in Finance list, now in its second year, honors professionals hand-selected by Inman's editorial team for their role in shaping the mortgage and financial services industries through leadership and commitment to innovation.

"I am deeply honored by both of these awards and want to thank and recognize the small but mighty team we've assembled here at Floify for getting us here. These awards truly belong to all of us," says Rossato. "I'm proud of the products we've launched during the past 12 months and the business value they are providing to mortgage lenders and brokers at a time when we all need to contain costs and boost productivity. We are proud to be leading this charge for our customers."

The complete lists of HousingWire Women of Influence winners and Inman Best in Finance winners can be viewed on the publications' respective websites.

About Floify:

Floify is a digital mortgage automation solution that streamlines the loan process by providing a secure application, communication, and document portal between lenders, borrowers, referral partners, and other mortgage stakeholders. Loan originators use the platform to collect and verify borrower documentation, track loan progress, communicate with borrowers and real estate agents, and close loans faster. The company is based in Boulder, Colorado and is a subsidiary of Porch Group, Inc. ("Porch Group") (NASDAQ: PRCH).

For more information, visit the company's website at https://floify.com/ or on social media at Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter / X.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although the Company believes that its plans, intentions, and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or realize these plans, intentions, or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning the Company's possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events, or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by, or include the words "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "plans," "scheduled," "anticipates," "intends," or similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Porch and its management at the time they are made, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (1) expansion plans and opportunities, and managing growth, to build a consumer brand; (2) the incidence, frequency, and severity of weather events, extensive wildfires, and other catastrophes; (3) economic conditions, especially those affecting the housing, insurance, and financial markets; (4) expectations regarding revenue, cost of revenue, operating expenses, and the ability to achieve and maintain future profitability; (5) existing and developing federal and state laws and regulations, including with respect to insurance, warranty, privacy, information security, data protection and taxation, and management's interpretation of and compliance with such laws and regulations; (6) the Company's reinsurance program, which includes the use of a captive reinsurer, the success of which is dependent on a number of factors outside management's control, along with reliance on reinsurance to protect us against loss; (7) uncertainties related to regulatory approval of insurance rates, policy forms, insurance products, license applications, acquisitions of businesses or strategic initiatives, including the reciprocal restructuring, and other matters within the purview of insurance regulators; (8) reliance on strategic, proprietary relationships to provide the Company with access to personal data and product information, and the ability to use such data and information to increase transaction volume and attract and retain customers; (9) the ability to develop new, or enhance existing, products, services, and features and bring them to market in a timely manner; (10) changes in capital requirements, and the ability to access capital when needed to provide statutory surplus; (11) the increased costs and initiatives required to address new legal and regulatory requirements arising from developments related to cybersecurity, privacy, and data governance and the increased costs and initiatives to protect against data breaches, cyber-attacks, virus or malware attacks, or other infiltrations or incidents affecting system integrity, availability and performance; (12) retaining and attracting skilled and experienced employees; (13) costs related to being a public company; and (14) other risks and uncertainties discussed in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and in Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, as well as those discussed in subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), all of which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Nothing in this release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the forward-looking statements in this release do not reflect the potential impact of any divestitures, mergers, acquisitions, or other business combinations that have not been completed as of the date of this release. Porch does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of changed circumstances, new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Sofia Rossato, its president and general manager, has received two new honors, being named to HousingWire's Women of Influence and Inman's Best in Finance list. The Inman award is the second in a row for Rossato.

Related link: https://floify.com/

HousingWire honors TrustEngine Vice President Rachel Cunningham as a 2023 Women of Influence

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. /ScoopCloud/ -- TrustEngine™, a provider of data-driven homebuyer engagement and education solutions for lenders, today announced Vice President of Customer Success Rachel Cunningham has been named a HousingWire 2023 Women of Influence award honoree. The Women of Influence awards program recognizes the achievements of women who are shaping the U.S. housing economy.

Cunningham was recognized for making an outstanding impact on TrustEngine and its lender clients during her multi-year tenure leading customer success at the company. During the merger of Sales Boomerang and Mortgage Coach, now TrustEngine, Cunningham restructured customer success into three divisions to better serve clients under a unified brand. Her enhancements to the company's onboarding procedures greatly accelerated implementation timelines and her coaching of the customer success team to take on an advisory approach to account management led TrustEngine to exceed retention targets. Under Cunningham's leadership, TrustEngine has achieved a 98% customer satisfaction score.

As interest rates began to rise, Cunningham took proactive measures to both support lenders through a steep drop in volume as well as prevent client churn. Guided by empathy, Cunningham consulted with clients to optimize their service plans for the new market. Also, with many clients undergoing mergers and acquisitions themselves, Cunningham developed special procedures to support unique contractual changes and onboarding scenarios.

"Rachel has proven herself to be a highly adept leader who uplifts her team, organization and lenders at every turn," said TrustEngine CEO Richard Harris. "I commend all that she has accomplished and her unwavering dedication to ensuring clients have the resources and know-how to build revenue with TrustEngine's tools, no matter the mortgage market."

About TrustEngine:

More than 200 independent mortgage companies, credit unions, banks and brokers depend on TrustEngine's innovative solutions to unlock additional loan opportunities, increase conversion and strengthen customer loyalty through individualized, data-driven engagement and education. With Sales Boomerang's intelligent alerts, lenders always know when a past customer or prospect is ready and credit-qualified for a loan. Award-winning loan presentations from Mortgage Coach equip lenders to deliver a consultative home financing experience that encourages faster, more informed loan decisions. The TrustEngine Borrower Intelligence Platform (BIP) combines the best of both flagship products with world-class data analysis and segmentation, sophisticated probability and profitability modeling, intelligent loan pacing and routing, compelling borrower interactions, and ongoing performance evaluation and optimization. The result is a category-leading solution that enhances lenders' existing technology investments and puts data in the driver's seat of every customer engagement. For a closer look at how TrustEngine turns loan officers into trusted mortgage advisors, visit https://www.trustengine.com/.

TrustEngine™, a provider of data-driven homebuyer engagement and education solutions for lenders, today announced Vice President of Customer Success Rachel Cunningham has been named a HousingWire 2023 Women of Influence award honoree. The Women of Influence awards program recognizes the achievements of women who are shaping the U.S. housing economy.

Related link: https://www.trustengine.com/

Promontory MortgagePath COO Debora Aydelotte Earns Top Female Industry Leadership Honors from HousingWire and Mortgage Banker Magazine

DANBURY, Conn. /ScoopCloud/ -- Leading digital mortgage and fulfillment solutions provider Promontory MortgagePath LLC announced Chief Operating Officer Debora Aydelotte has been recognized by HousingWire and Mortgage Banker Magazine for her leadership contributions to the mortgage industry. Aydelotte has been named one of HousingWire's 2021 Women of Influence and is among Mortgage Banker Magazine's 2021 Powerful Women in Mortgage Banking.

Over the last 12 months, Aydelotte has overseen the launch of Transform, Promontory MortgagePath's expanded service delivery model, and kicked off the company's CDFI and MDI initiative. Under Aydelotte's leadership, Promontory MortgagePath has also expanded its operations with an additional fulfillment center, doubled its workforce year-over-year and garnered key endorsements from organizations such as the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, the Community Development Bankers Association, the Oregon Bankers Association and the Oklahoma Bankers Association.

"Advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion has been a personal mission throughout my entire career, and being able to channel that passion into the work Promontory MortgagePath is doing to promote greater inclusion and equity in financial services has made my work that much more meaningful," said Aydelotte. "For nearly two decades, it has been my privilege as an executive to mentor others and contribute to their growth, and I am honored to be recognized by both HousingWire and Mortgage Banker Magazine for these efforts."

Each of these awards seeks to highlight female pioneers, innovators and leaders in the mortgage industry. To view Aydelotte's profile and the full list of HousingWire Women of Influence honorees visit https://www.housingwire.com/articles/presenting-housingwires-2021-women-of-influence/. Aydelotte's feature in Mortgage Banker Magazine, along with the full list of honorees, can be viewed at https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news/powerful-women-mortgage-banking-2021.

About Promontory MortgagePath LLC | NMLS ID 1532373

Promontory MortgagePath is a fast-growing team of passionate problem solvers on a mission to fundamentally change the way lenders approach their mortgage business. The company combines an intuitive, collaborative digital mortgage platform with modern, comprehensive fulfillment services, giving lenders the progressive technology and scalability required to profitably compete in today's rapidly changing residential mortgage market. Promontory MortgagePath's founder, former U.S. Comptroller of the Currency Gene Ludwig, is widely recognized as a visionary thinker on the critical issues confronting financial services, and his companies are renowned for helping community lenders resolve their most pressing challenges. To learn more, visit https://www.mortgagepath.com.

Leading digital mortgage and fulfillment solutions provider Promontory MortgagePath LLC announced Chief Operating Officer Debora Aydelotte has been recognized by HousingWire and Mortgage Banker Magazine for her leadership contributions to the mortgage industry. Aydelotte has been named one of HousingWire's 2021 Women of Influence and is among Mortgage Banker Magazine's 2021 Powerful Women in Mortgage Banking.

Related link: https://www.mortgagepath.com/

HousingWire honors Sales Boomerang VP of Sales Taylor Castranova as a Women of Influence

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Sales Boomerang, the industry's top-rated automated borrower intelligence and retention system, today announced Vice President of Sales, Taylor Castranova is an honoree of HousingWire's 2021 Women of Influence Award program.

As the vice president of both the customer success and sales departments, Castranova has proven a valuable asset, exceeding expectations in Sales Boomerang customer growth, as well as helping Sales Boomerang customers achieve unprecedented growth. In the last year, Castranova has assisted Sales Boomerang in tripling its revenue and increasing existing customers' growth rates by 400%. Sales Boomerang customers have recorded an average 20-40% lift to loan volume and generated more than $30 billion in additional loan volume industrywide.

"Taylor is a cherished member of the team," said Sales Boomerang CEO Alex Kutsishin. "She has a knack for taking charge of seemingly small initiatives and yielding impressive results. Taylor is beyond deserving of this recognition and we are extremely proud of her."

"Another way to describe our Women of Influence honorees this year would be the women who are making an impact, which is something we saw woven into each of these amazing award winners," Brena Nath, HW+ managing editor, said. "Congratulations to these women who are cultivating a new path forward for the housing industry and reimagining a better, more collaborative future."

The HousingWire Women of Influence Awards program seeks to highlight the outstanding efforts of women in shaping and driving the U.S. mortgage, real estate and fintech industries forward. The full list of 2021 Women of Influence winners can be reviewed at https://www.housingwire.com.

About Sales Boomerang:

Sales Boomerang transformed the relationship between mortgage lenders and borrowers with the introduction of the first automated borrower intelligence system in 2017. The company's intelligent alerts notify lenders as soon as a past customer or prospect is ready and credit-qualified for a loan. As the mortgage industry's #1 borrower retention tool, Sales Boomerang is trusted by more than 125 lenders - including brokers, independent mortgage companies, credit unions and banks - to help build lasting borrower relationships that maximize lifetime customer value. To date, Sales Boomerang alerts have enabled lenders to close more than $30 billion in additional loan volume that would have otherwise been overlooked and achieve customer retention rates that outperform industry norms by an average of 3-5X. To learn more about Sales Boomerang and its No Borrower Left Behind(tm) ethos, visit https://www.salesboomerang.com.

@SalesBoomerang @HousingWire #WomenOfInfluence

About HousingWire:

HousingWire is the most influential source of news and information for the U.S. mortgage and housing markets. Built on a foundation of independent and original journalism, HousingWire reaches over 60,000 newsletter subscribers daily and over 1.0 million unique visitors each month. Our audience of mortgage, real estate and fintech professionals rely on us to Move Markets Forward. Visit www.housingwire.com or www.solutions.housingwire.com to learn more.

Sales Boomerang, the industry's top-rated automated borrower intelligence and retention system, today announced Vice President of Sales, Taylor Castranova is an honoree of HousingWire's 2021 Women of Influence Award program.

Related link: https://www.salesboomerang.com/

Mid America Mortgage’s Kara Lamphere Named 2020 HW Woman of Influence

ADDISON, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Mid America Mortgage, Inc. (Mid America) announced today that Chief Operating Officer Kara Lamphere has been named a 2020 HousingWire Woman of Influence. A two-time winner (2017), Lamphere was recognized this year for her continued efforts to push the envelope regarding what is possible for lenders in today's origination environment. As COO, she has secured Mid America's position as a digital mortgage pioneer and innovator and, by virtue of that legacy, positioned Mid America to thrive where competitors faltered amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Kara's recognition as a Woman of Influence is well-deserved, and everyone at Mid America is proud to share with the industry what we've all know for a while," said Mid America Owner and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bode. "Kara has been instrumental in the continued success of our digital mortgage platform, earning recognition both for herself and Mid America along the way. We are honored to have her on our team."

"This year's Women of Influence represent leaders who have faced some of the most unprecedented challenges the housing industry has seen in years," HousingWire Magazine Editor Kelsey Ramírez said. "Their strength set an example of leadership that impacted not just their teams or companies but the industry overall. This was one of the most competitive years we have ever seen for the award, and we are proud to introduce you to the top 100 Women of Influence."

The Women of Influence are selected by HousingWire's Editorial Selection Committee based on their professional achievements within their organizations, but contributions to the overall industry, community outreach, client impact and personal success also factor into the committee's decision. The full list of HousingWire's 2020 Women of Influence can be viewed here: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/here-are-housingwires-2020-women-of-influence/.

About Mid America Mortgage, Inc.

Mid America Mortgage, Inc., Addison, Texas, is a multi-state, full-service mortgage lender serving consumers and mortgage originators through its retail, wholesale and correspondent channels. We offer a wide range of residential home loan programs to meet the needs of most home buyers and homeowners and are also the nation's leading provider of Section 184 home loans for Native Americans. Learn more at https://www.midamericamortgage.com/.

In operation since 1940, Mid America has thrived by retaining its entrepreneurial spirit and leading the market in innovation, including its adoption of eClosings and eNotes. Click n' Close is Mid America's ultra-secure, digital mortgage approval and closing process that gets home buyers from application to closing within two weeks. With just a few clicks at closing, Click n' Close puts keys in the home buyer's hand in 15 minutes or less. Apply online at https://www.midamericamortgage.com/click-n-close/.

Frequently named a top mortgage employer/workplace by industry trade magazines such as Mortgage Professional America, MReport, National Mortgage News and National Mortgage Professional, Mid America is looking for tech-savvy, service-oriented mortgage professionals to join our growing team. We are dedicated to providing our employees with industry-leading tools and technology to deliver a great package of competitive pricing, programs and knowledgeable service. Want to join our team? Visit https://www.midamericamortgage.com/careers/.

Twitter: @midamericamtge

Mid America Mortgage, Inc. (Mid America) announced today that Chief Operating Officer Kara Lamphere has been named a 2020 HousingWire Woman of Influence. A two-time winner (2017), Lamphere was recognized this year for her continued efforts to push the envelope regarding what is possible for lenders in today's origination environment.

Related link: https://www.midamericamortgage.com/

SimpleNexus’ Pamela Faulkner and Anna Ratanawan Named to HousingWire’s 2020 Women of Influence List

LEHI, Utah /ScoopCloud/ -- SimpleNexus (https://simplenexus.com/), developer of the leading digital mortgage platform for loan officers, borrowers and real estate agents, today announced that Director of Mortgage Solutions Pam Faulkner and Vice President of People Operations Anna Ratanawan have been named 2020 HousingWire (HW) Women of Influence honorees. Now in its tenth year, the Women of Influence awards program recognizes high-achieving women across the mortgage, real estate and fintech industries.

"SimpleNexus applauds Pam and Anna for being recognized as Women of Influence who are shaping the future of the housing economy," said SimpleNexus Founder and CEO Matt Hansen. "Their savvy, expertise and professionalism make it possible for us to continue setting the bar for what a digital mortgage platform should be."

Faulkner was recognized for keeping SimpleNexus' fast-growing team of more than 100 technologists grounded in what really matters to frontline mortgage lenders. Her three-decade career in mortgage technology includes 13 years at cloud-based mortgage finance technology provider Ellie Mae. Faulkner also serves on the board of directors and audit committee of the Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, a unit of the Farm Credit System, America's oldest government-sponsored enterprise (GSE).

Ratanawan was recognized for building the highly passionate and productive teams that have been pivotal to SimpleNexus' emergence as a digital mortgage technology frontrunner. Notably, Ratanawan reorganized SimpleNexus' product and engineering divisions, a change that has accelerated SimpleNexus' product roadmap and enabled staff to advance their skill sets. Before joining SimpleNexus, she served as director of people operations at online fashion boutique Jane.com and senior human resource manager at global project management SaaS firm Workfront. Ratanawan is an elected member of the Utah County Executive Human Resources (HR) board of directors where she organizes meetups, education and training for HR professionals and mentors HR students.

"This year's Women of Influence represent leaders who have faced some of the most unprecedented challenges the housing industry has seen in years," HousingWire Magazine Editor Kelsey Ramírez said. "Their strength set an example of leadership that impacted not just their teams or companies but the industry overall. This was one of the most competitive years we have ever seen for the award."

The full list of 2020 HW Women of Influence honorees can be viewed at https://www.housingwire.com/articles/here-are-housingwires-2020-women-of-influence/.

About SimpleNexus, LLC:

SimpleNexus is the digital mortgage platform that enables lenders to originate and process loans from anywhere. The company's best-in-class, easy-to-use app connects loan officers to their borrowers and real estate agents to easily communicate and exchange data in a single location throughout the entire loan life cycle. Loan officers can manage their loan pipelines, order credit, run pricing, send pre-approvals and sign disclosures - all on the go.

About HousingWire:

HousingWire is the most influential source of news and information for the U.S. mortgage and housing markets. Built on a foundation of independent and original journalism, HousingWire reaches over 40,000 newsletter subscribers daily and over 4 million unique visitors each year. Our audience of mortgage, real estate, financial services and fintech professionals rely on us to Move Markets Forward. Visit https://www.housingwire.com/ or https://www.solutions.housingwire.com to learn more.

SimpleNexus, developer of the leading digital mortgage platform for loan officers, borrowers and real estate agents, today announced that Director of Mortgage Solutions Pam Faulkner and Vice President of People Operations Anna Ratanawan have been named 2020 HousingWire (HW) Women of Influence honorees.

Related link: https://simplenexus.com/

FormFree Head of Vendor Management and Compliance Katie King Honored as HousingWire 2020 Women of Influence

ATHENS, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- FormFree® Head of Vendor Management and Compliance Katie King has been recognized by HousingWire (HW) as a 2020 Woman of Influence. In its tenth year, the Women of Influence awards program honors 100 women who are "shaping and propelling the mortgage, real estate and fintech industries forward."

King was recognized for her contributions to the housing economy during the 2008 housing market crash and for her role at FormFree, where she oversees all matters relating to compliance, audits, vendor management and enterprise risk. A 20-year veteran of the housing and finance industries, King earned her compliance and government relations bona fides as a senior leader at such organizations as Black Knight Financial Services (NYSE: BKI), Citizen's Bank (NYSE: CFG) and SunTrust Bank (now Truist, NYSE: TFC). As Director of Business Development and Client Relations at Hope LoanPort, King deployed the nation's first consumer-direct portal, which helped 750,000 distressed homeowners access the National Mortgage Settlement.

"Katie's experience has positioned FormFree to excel even in the midst of a public health pandemic," said FormFree CEO Brent Chandler. "Her swift efforts have been instrumental in helping our partners understand that we need to urgently advance industry acceptance of direct-source borrower data to streamline processes, improve security and decrease costs for lenders, servicers, investors and - most importantly - borrowers."

"This year's Women of Influence represent leaders who have faced some of the most unprecedented challenges the housing industry has seen in years," said HousingWire Magazine Editor Kelsey Ramírez. "Their strength set an example of leadership that impacted not just their teams or companies but the industry overall. This was one of the most competitive years we have ever seen for the award."

The full list of HW's 2020 Women of Influence award honorees can be viewed at https://www.housingwire.com/articles/here-are-housingwires-2020-women-of-influence/.

About FormFree:

FormFree is a market-leading fintech company whose revolutionary products AccountChek and Passport are changing the credit decisioning landscape and encouraging lenders nationwide to incorporate a more holistic view of each borrower's financial DNA. To date, thousands of U.S. lenders and brokers have ordered millions of FormFree's patented verification reports representing over a trillion dollars in loan verifications. FormFree delights borrowers and lenders with a paperless experience, reduces origination timelines by up to 20 days and offers automated analysis and standardized delivery to lenders and investors using a secure ReIssueKey(tm). For more information, visit https://www.formfree.com/ or follow FormFree on LinkedIn.

About HousingWire:

HousingWire is the most influential source of news and information for the U.S. mortgage and housing markets. Built on a foundation of independent and original journalism, HousingWire reaches over 40,000 newsletter subscribers daily and over 4 million unique visitors each year. Our audience of mortgage, real estate, financial services and fintech professionals rely on us to Move Markets Forward. Visit https://www.housingwire.com/ or https://www.solutions.housingwire.com to learn more.

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0803s2p-katie-king-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: FormFree Head of Vendor Management and Compliance Katie King.

Twitter: @RealFormFree @HousingWire

FormFree Head of Vendor Management and Compliance Katie King has been recognized by HousingWire (HW) as a 2020 Woman of Influence. In its tenth year, the Women of Influence awards program honors 100 women who are "shaping and propelling the mortgage, real estate and fintech industries forward."

Related link: https://www.formfree.com/

Pamela Bosco, Founder of Pet King Brands, Named Recipient of 2019 Pet Age Magazine Women of Influence Award

WESTMONT, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- Pamela K. Bosco, President and Founder of Pet King Brands, was named a winner of Pet Age Magazine's 2019 Women of Influence annual award. Each year Pet Age bestows the honor on women leaders who have made a significant impact on the animal health and pet care industry. Pet King Brands is the maker of veterinarian-recommended brands ZYMOX(R) Dermatology and Oratene(R) Brushless Oral Care.

Twenty years ago, Pet King Brands started with three products and now provides a full spectrum of topical dermatological products for problematic ears and skin - available with or without added hydrocortisone - as well as a full line of oral care products that don't require brushing to be effective. Bosco's lifelong love for animals and deep conviction for the quality of care all animals deserve and innovative thinking has made life-changing differences in the health of dogs, cats, horses and other animals around the world.

"I am honored to be named one of Pet Age Magazine's Women of Influence in the pet care industry ... and even more exciting as Pet King Brands celebrates 20 years of business in the animal health and pet care industry this year," said Bosco.

Since first being introduced through veterinarian clinics nationwide, Pet King Brands has distributed over 1 million bottles of its flagship product ZYMOX(R) Otic Ear Solution and continues to expand its pet health products line.

Bosco points out that Pet King Brands' ZYMOX family of enzymatic products were introduced to the veterinary community when the topic of antibiotic resistance was just starting to be discussed by consumers for their personal and pets' health care.

"Our enzymatic solutions represent cutting-edge technology without the side effects and resistance associated with antibiotics," she said. "I am so thankful for the positive impact the products have had on the health of so many pets around the world."

Bosco's mission to provide solutions for animal welfare has resulted in the formation of Pet King Brand's cause marketing program. During 2018, the company donated over $240,000 worth of ZYMOX Advanced Otic to help pets afflicted with problematic ears in shelters, rescues, humane societies and sanctuaries. Her passion for all animals is also evident at her Austin ranch which serves both as a sanctuary and home to a variety of dogs, cats, and horses, as well as a whole community of exotic animals.

About Pet King Brands, Inc.:

Pet King Brands is led by President and Founder, Pamela Bosco, who first introduced ZYMOX to the veterinary world in 1998. Based on years of research, she knew she had a product that was going to change the way people managed pet ear infections. Pet King Brands' patented LP3 Enzyme System is used in the most complete and complex enzymatic dermatology and oral care products available on the market for both small and large animals.

Its ZYMOX Dermatology products remain a stark contrast to other products on the market, offering effective solutions that are easy to use, free of harsh chemicals and antibiotics, and made in the United States. In addition to its skin topicals, Pet King Brands' product family includes ear care products, brushless oral care products, shampoos and conditioning rinses.

The ZYMOX and Oratene lines represent true advances in the field of veterinary healthcare. Bosco owes her discovery to her brother, Michael Pellico, the bioscientist credited with adapting his enzyme technology in Biotene(R) - the #1 dentist-recommended product for people suffering from Dry Mouth and owned by GlaxoSmithKline - and making it safe for use in animals.

Pet King Brands' unwavering commitment to the well-being of animals is the reason they take such great pride in delivering high-quality products that are safe as well as effective. ZYMOX and Oratene are available through veterinarians and select retailers.

To learn more visit https://www.zymox.com/

Pamela K. Bosco, President and Founder of Pet King Brands, was named a winner of Pet Age Magazine's 2019 Women of Influence annual award. Each year Pet Age bestows the honor on women leaders who have made a significant impact on the animal health and pet care industry.

Related link: https://www.zymox.com/

Pendo Executive Alicia Branstetter Named to HW Women of Influence List

LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Pendo, a nationwide appraisal management company (AMC), announced that Alicia Branstetter, the company's vice president of marketing, has been named to HousingWire magazine's seventh annual Women of Influence list, just one year after joining the housing industry.

According to HousingWire, the Women of Influence award recognizes women leading the mortgage and housing industry forward. Each of the 50 women on this year's list was selected by HousingWire's editorial staff based on tangible accomplishments in the past 12 months. According to HousingWire, the women selected to the list "not only had to excel within their individual companies, but show influence in the wider industry through contributions on panels, publications, mentoring and volunteering."

"It's exciting to see the talent represented in this year's Women of Influence winners. These dynamic women represent every part of the mortgage ecosystem and their achievements are vital to the mission of expanding homeownership," Sarah Wheeler, HousingWire Magazine Editor, said. "HousingWire is thrilled to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments as they build better operations, solutions and companies."

Among Branstetter's achievements in the past year is the creation of Pendo's culture-based brand platform, which has helped drive the company's continued growth and establish its position as the most client-centric, appraiser-friendly AMC, in a segment marked by challenged relationships among providers, clients and vendors.

"The housing industry is abounding with opportunity, and it's a great time for women from other industries to change tracks and bring their ideas and experience into this segment," said Branstetter. "I commend HousingWire for recognizing the contribution women are making in the housing space. I'm honored to be counted among these accomplished leaders and change-makers."

"Our vision at Pendo has always been to lead by example and raise the standards of service AMCs provide to clients and vendors," said Jeff Sandman, co-Founder of Pendo. "Alicia's work enabled us to standardize our high service levels, communicate those standards to the industry and, as a result, differentiate ourselves from competitors and achieve significant growth. We're proud that Alicia was selected for this award. She's a strong asset to Pendo as well as the mortgage industry."

About Pendo:

Pendo is a nationwide appraisal management company based in Lee's Summit, Missouri. The company was co-founded by two successful tech professionals, Jeff Sandman and Mike Peck, specifically to disrupt the appraisal management segment using advanced technology and severely elevated service standards. The company's proprietary QC technology boasts numerous unique features that assure the highest levels of quality and compliance, while also reducing wait times, elevating service levels, boosting client engagement, and minimizing redundant activities. Pendo was founded in 2009 and is licensed to conduct business in all 50 states.

For more information, visit https://www.pendomanagement.com/, email contact@pendomanagment.com or call 816-332-6627.

Pendo, a nationwide appraisal management company (AMC), announced that Alicia Branstetter, the company's vice president of marketing, has been named to HousingWire magazine's seventh annual Women of Influence list, just one year after joining the housing industry.

Related link: https://www.pendomanagement.com/

Altavera Mortgage Services COO Debora Aydelotte Recognized as HousingWire 2017 Woman of Influence

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Altavera Mortgage Services (Altavera), a Computershare company and leading provider of outsourced residential mortgage origination services, today announced that Chief Operating Officer Debora Aydelotte has been named one of HousingWire magazine's 2017 Women of Influence.

Aydelotte, who was also selected to grace the cover of HousingWire's August issue, was chosen for her career-long accomplishments as a mortgage finance executive, outspoken advocacy of diversity and inclusion practices and instrumental role in growing Altavera from industry up-and-comer to leading national provider. She has served the mortgage, banking and fintech sectors for more than 20 years, much of it focused on expansion and profitability at firms such as Wells Fargo, HomeSide Lending and Mellon Bank.

"This honor couldn't belong to a more deserving individual," said Computershare Loan Services CEO Nick Oldfield. "Debora is respected as one of the keenest minds in mortgage banking. Her operational and strategic expertise is an integral part of Altavera's success, and her staunch stance on fairness and inclusion in the workplace continues to define our culture and set the bar for our industry."

"As the mortgage industry continues to do the right thing - increase diversity in the workforce - the housing finance business will likewise keep moving from strength to strength," said HousingWire Editor-in-Chief Jacob Gaffney. "The progress is undeniable; as the number of influential women in housing grows, so does our recognition for the Influential Women of Housing. Our list is bigger and better than ever."

HousingWire's annual Women of Influence list honors "individuals who are making notable contributions to both their businesses and to the industry at large - with a specific focus on contributions made in the most recent 12 months. Their energy, ideas, achievements, as well as commitment to excellence and progress give us a look at the future of the industry." For a full list of honorees, visit https://www.housingwire.com/articles/40821-women-of-influence-2017.

About Altavera:
Altavera is a leading provider of outsourced residential mortgage origination and due diligence review services. Its SAFE Act-compliant staff of seasoned, U.S.-based fulfillment specialists helps clients streamline operations, minimize costs and achieve faster cycle times for greater customer satisfaction and profitability. Altavera's fully customizable closed-loan file review services enable investors and aggregators to reduce risk and make better-informed decisions. Based in Denver, Colorado, Altavera is a Computershare company.

For more information, visit http://www.altavera.com.

About Computershare Limited:
Computershare (ASX: CPU) is a global market leader in transfer agency and share registration, employee equity plans, mortgage servicing, proxy solicitation and stakeholder communications. We also specialize in corporate trust, bankruptcy, class action and utility administration, and a range of other diversified financial and governance services.

Founded in 1978, Computershare is renowned for its expertise in high integrity data management, high volume transaction processing and reconciliations, payments and stakeholder engagement. Many of the world's leading organizations use us to streamline and maximize the value of relationships with their investors, employees, creditors and customers. Computershare is represented in all major financial markets and has over 16,000 employees worldwide.

For more information, visit https://www.computershare.com.

About HousingWire:
HousingWire is by far the nation's most influential source of news and information for U.S. mortgage markets, boasting a readership that spans lending, servicing, investments and real estate market participants as well as financial market professionals.

Winner of numerous awards, including a 2012 Eddie Award for national editorial excellence in the B-to-B Banking/Business/Finance, HousingWire has been recognized for excellence in journalism by the Society of Business Editors and Writers, the American Society of Business Press Editors, the National Association of Real Estate Editors, and Trade Association Business Publications International.

Altavera Mortgage Services (Altavera), a Computershare company and leading provider of outsourced residential mortgage origination services, today announced that Chief Operating Officer Debora Aydelotte has been named one of HousingWire magazine's 2017 Women of Influence.

Related link: http://altavera.com/

ReverseVision Vice President of Sales and Marketing Wendy Peel Selected to HousingWire 2017 ‘Women of Influence’ List

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- ReverseVision, the leading provider of software and technology for the reverse mortgage industry, today announced that Wendy Peel, its vice president of sales and marketing, has been named to HousingWire's 2017 "Women of Influence" list.

Peel was recognized for her industry-wide efforts to reposition the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), once seen as a fringe loan product, as a timely and logical option for mortgage lenders serving borrowers age 62 and older. The strategy of Generational Lending(TM) is the latest push to normalize the HECM product with banks and mortgage lenders. Due in large part to Peel's strategic marketing, ReverseVision has earned a reputation as not only the HECM market's leading origination platform, but as a trusted expert in the industry.

After spearheading ReverseVision's inaugural user conference in 2016 - which convened industry leaders, lenders and brokers from 67 companies, including four of the nation's top five reverse lenders - Peel took UserCon up a notch in 2017. The most recent conference combined sessions designed to educate new-to-HECM originators on the basics of HECM lending with compelling compliance and technology training for seasoned HECM loan officers. An insightful presentation by noted mortgage industry expert Rob Chrisman brought the theme of introducing HECMs into traditional lending full circle.

Peel also crystallized a strategy to re-orient banks and credit unions to the product gap HECM loans fill for the retiring Baby Boomer generation. This concept targets normalizing the HECM product while explaining the benefits of offering these loans as part of a larger business plan.

"Wendy has been very influencial in the HECM lending niche since joining us in 2015," said ReverseVision President and CEO John Button. "Since then, she has led our efforts to encourage HECM lending by traditional lenders and banks. Her generational lending strategy is resonating with these businesses, and we are beginning to see an influx of new players entering the reverse mortgage space."

"As the mortgage industry continues to do the right thing - increase diversity in the workforce - the housing finance business will likewise keep moving from strength to strength," said HousingWire Editor-in-Chief Jacob Gaffney. "The progress is undeniable; as the number of influential women in housing grows, so does our recognition for the Influential Women of Housing. Our list is bigger and better than ever."

Peel previously served as vice president of sales and marketing for cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications provider CommercePromote and in similar roles at iCoStore, Take Notice, PNA and TransPerfect Translations.

Now in its seventh year, HousingWire's "Women of Influence" list honors individuals who have made notable contributions both to their businesses and to the industry at large. For a full list of honorees, visit: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/40821-women-of-influence-2017.

About HousingWire:
HousingWire is by far the nation's most influential source of news and information for U.S. mortgage markets, boasting a readership that spans lending, servicing, investments and real estate market participants as well as financial market professionals.

Winner of numerous awards, including a 2012 Eddie Award for national editorial excellence in the B-to-B Banking/Business/Finance category, HousingWire has been recognized for excellence in journalism by the Society of Business Editors and Writers, the American Society of Business Press Editors, the National Association of Real Estate Editors, and Trade Association Business Publications International.

About ReverseVision:
ReverseVision, Inc. is the leading software and technology provider for the reverse mortgage industry, offering products and services focused exclusively on the home-equity conversion mortgage (HECM) and related reverse mortgage programs. With nearly 10,000 active users, ReverseVision technology is used by 10 out of 10 top reverse mortgage lenders and supports more reverse mortgage transactions than all other systems combined. The company's comprehensive product suite also includes reverse mortgage sales and education tools and a dedicated professional services team. ReverseVision partners with some of the finest and fastest-growing banks, credit unions and lending organizations in the United States to provide its reverse mortgage technology to brokers, correspondents, lenders and investors.

A 2017 HousingWire TECH100(TM) company, ReverseVision has also been recognized in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500(TM) listing. ReverseVision's annual user conference, the only event of its kind in the industry, brings together more than 200 lenders, vendors and educators each year to advance reverse mortgage lending. The company continues to build on its technology's pioneering capabilities with frequent enhancements aimed at boosting users' reverse mortgage volume, workflow efficiency and data analysis capabilities.

For more information, visit http://www.reversevision.com/.

ReverseVision, the leading provider of software and technology for the reverse mortgage industry, today announced that Wendy Peel, its vice president of sales and marketing, has been named to HousingWire's 2017 "Women of Influence" list.

Related link: http://www.reversevision.com/