From Posts to Profits - Mastering the Art of Social Media

Matthew Gallant

Director, Member Relations - Member Engagement, Mortgage Bankers Association

As the Northeast Director of Member Engagement for the Mortgage Bankers Association, Matthew Gallant applies a deep understanding of today’s lending challenges to his work. He is a longtime housing industry advocate who has served on the Board of Directors for the NH Mortgage Bankers and Brokers and founded the NH Young Housing Professionals group. He created the group based on the principle that networking, education, and community service are key to championing the next generation of professionals. His industry contributions include chairing the Northeast Mortgage Bankers Conference for three consecutive years and contributing his expert engagement strategies to the book, "Rethink Everything You Know About Networking." Recognized as a "Ten to Watch Under 40" in 2023, Gallant is also a 2024 graduate of the Rising Stars Leadership Program. He holds both the Certified Mortgage Professional (CMP) and Certified Community Lender (CCL) designations, reflecting his commitment to serving homebuyers, Realtors, and lenders.

Meghan Handy

Chief Marketing & Customer Officer, Embrace Home Loans

Meghan began her career as a loan processor, then loan officer, working for First Union in Virginia and worked for 10 years as an independent title examiner. After that, she was responsible for vendor management at Equity National Title & Closing, and ultimately became Director of Marketing at the same organization. Currently, as Chief Customer Officer of Embrace Home Loans, Meghan is focused on implementing true digital transformation at Embrace. Meghan studied Marketing at the University of Richmond, holds an Acxiom Digital University Certification, a Luma Certified Practitioner of Human Design, and she is an ICF Associate Certified Coach.

Kayla Kallander

AVP, Mortgage Loan Officer, First International Bank & Trust

Kayla Kallander is a nationally recognized mortgage lender based in Fargo, ND, who has transformed her mortgage business by turning social media into a driving force for lead generation, client education, and long-term brand trust. In just two years, Kallander doubled her loan production while building an engaged community of more than 11,000 LinkedIn followers and expanding her reach on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Her content proves that authentic storytelling, education, and consistent visibility are catalysts to scalable growth. Kallander is co-host of the “It’s Real” podcast, co-author of the book “Rethink Everything You Know About Being a Next-Gen Loan Officer”, and an ambassador for FirstHome IQ, where she advocates for financial literacy and modern mortgage education. She is also a 2025 recipient of the MBA mPact Residential Spotlight Award.

Brian Vieaux, CMB

President, MISMO

Brian Vieaux serves as President of MISMO (Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization), where he leads the organization’s mission to drive efficiency, transparency, and interoperability across the real estate finance ecosystem. In this role, he focuses on expanding industry awareness of MISMO’s critical value, ensuring every participant, from lenders and servicers to technology providers and investors, benefits from trusted data standards and a more seamless digital mortgage experience. A Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) since 2005, Brian brings more than 30 years of executive experience spanning mortgage origination, fintech innovation, and channel development. Prior to joining MISMO, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of FinLocker, a financial fitness and homeownership readiness platform that empowers lenders and loan officers to engage consumers earlier in their homebuying journey through data-driven insights. Before FinLocker, he was Senior Vice President of Third-Party Origination (TPO) Lending at Flagstar Bank, where he led national account strategy, wholesale and correspondent lending, and strategic partnerships. Brian is also the co-author of Rethink Everything: You Know About Being a Next Gen Loan Officer, a book that challenges industry professionals to modernize how they educate, engage, and empower today’s homebuyers. His leadership is marked by a “Point of Thought, not just Point of Sale” philosophy, emphasizing education, empowerment, and responsible innovation as the foundation of sustainable homeownership. An active contributor to the mortgage and fintech communities, Brian serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association (MMLA) and DBG Detroit, an after-school education and mentorship program. He also hosts several industry podcasts and authors thought leadership content focused on technology adoption, consumer-permissioned data, and the future of lending.