INNOVATION AND TECH TRACK: The Human Side of AI Adoption

Chief Technology Officer, Optimal Blue, LLC

Seever Sulaiman is chief technology officer (CTO) at Optimal Blue. In this role, Seever leads Optimal Blue’s technology and development strategies, with a focus on engineering solutions that anticipate future needs of the industry. Seever joined Optimal Blue in 2018 following the company’s acquisition of Resitrader, where Seever served as the co-founder and chief information officer. A long-time technology executive, Seever served as CTO for Equator Business Solutions, a division of Altisource, CTO for the Applied Analytics division of LPS (the predecessor of Black Knight/ICE), and CTO for Interthinx, a division of First American. Seever holds a master’s degree in business administration from Webster University in Saint Louis, and a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the University of Baghdad.

Founder, CEO, Bridge AIvisory

Brooke Anderson-Tompkins is Founder and CEO of Bridge AIvisory, a consulting firm helping mortgage banking organizations adopt artificial intelligence with clarity, confidence, and Responsible AI practices. She previously served as President of 1st Priority Mortgage, Inc. and as Chair of the Community Mortgage Lenders of America, where she championed regulatory fairness and homeownership access. She has also held advisory roles with Lenders One and JP Morgan Chase. A frequent industry speaker, she draws on decades of leadership and AI studies at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and the MILA Institute to guide organizations through AI transformation.

Founding Luminist, Lending Luminary

Dana is a seasoned mortgage professional with 30+ years of mortgage lending experience that spans roles as a senior/executive manager in sales, marketing, and lending operations. Her expertise includes the development of high-performing teams, creating sales growth and strategy, perfecting and implementing solutions to streamline new loan production, new programs, and product development, as well as managing large-scale mortgage operations. She founded Lending Luminary in early 2024, a unique consulting company specializing in support of small to mid-size lenders looking to achieve operational efficiencies, grow/scale sales and marketing, or to adopt solutions like AI to create efficiencies and customer excellence. She has worked in all channels of the mortgage business.

Founder, CEO, Praxis Lending Solutions

Melissa Langdale is the Founder and CEO of Praxis Lending Solutions, an executive consultancy firm helping mortgage lenders reimagine workflows, adopt emerging technologies, and reduce their cost to originate. A recognized leader in housing innovation, Melissa has served as President & COO of The Mortgage Collaborative and led operations for fintechs and community banks alike. She’s the creator of the weekly “Mortgage Maverick” series spotlighting industry change-makers, the host of the leading innovation focused webcast and podcast called “Future Proof,” and a national speaker on transformation and AI.

Founder & Senior Advisor, Z Technology Solutions

Suha Zehl is dynamic technology leader and sought-after speaker whose work sits at the intersection of innovation, leadership, and empowerment. With decades of experience spanning multiple industries, Suha has built a career on connecting the dots between complex systems and the human lives they impact. As the founder of Z Technology Solutions, she advises organizations on AI, data strategy, and digital transformation; helping leaders embrace change with clarity, courage, and purpose. Suha is the recipient of multiple industry awards; she is a Certified Mortgage Banker, a certified Change Management Practitioner, and a graduate of MBA's Future Leaders program. In Nov 2025, Suha will be inducted into NC State CS Hall of Fame, the highest award bestowed on an alum of NCSU, her alma mater.