MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND OPERATIONS TRACK: Keeping People Engaged Even When the Market Isn’t
Leadership is tested most in times of transition. From market volatility and competitive pressure to M&A activity and employee burnout, leaders are being asked to do more than ever: deliver results, communicate clearly, and keep teams engaged and aligned through constant change. This candid conversation brings together seasoned mortgage leaders who have successfully navigated high-stress environments and led their teams through mergers, reorganizations, cultural shifts, and strategic pivots. They’ll share how they prioritize people while staying focused on performance—and how they’re cultivating resilience, empathy, and clarity when it matters most. Sponsored by FICO.
Speakers
Introductions
Amber Christman serves as a Director responsible for client relationships and strategy within the Scores Mortgage and Capital Markets team. Before joining FICO, she spent two years in management consulting at Alpha FMC, focusing on strategy. Earlier in her career, Amber held various roles in marketing, client operations, product management, and business development in the Asset Management sector at BlackRock, Barclays Global Investors, and AllianceBernstein. She earned a degree in Accounting from Saint Mary’s College of California.
Moderator
Vice President and Head of Human Resources at American Pacific Mortgage (APM), where she leads with a passion for people and a commitment to building thriving workplaces. She oversees all areas of human resources — including talent acquisition, leadership development, performance management, and employee engagement — ensuring APM continues to be a place where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. With a people-first approach, Demetria is known as a trusted partner and advocate who believes that investing in people is the key to both individual fulfillment and organizational success. She is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture where employees can do their best work and contribute to APM’s mission of empowering homeownership.
Speakers
Tamra Rieger serves on the Executive Team of Evergreen Home Loans as President. She is responsible for integrating the major functions of the business, creating focus, accountability, and alignment, including executing the business plan and implementing strategic goals. Divisions under her oversight include sales and marketing, operations, finance, and capital markets. Also, she directs digital mortgage technology initiatives, driving efficiency and improving the overall customer experience, and leads the development of innovative products that increase opportunities for customers and agents, including Evergreen’s cash offer suite of products. Tamra is a sought-after speaker at Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and other industry conferences and events, discussing topics such as digital mortgage implementation and women in leadership. Mortgage Women Magazine named her a 2022 Mortgage Star, and HousingWire recognized her as a 2024, 2023 and 2021 HW Women of Influence winner. Tamra holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and has 29 years of experience in mortgage lending, holding positions as Chief Operating Officer, EVP Loan Fulfillment and SVP Capital Markets. She has served on the Fannie Mae Risk Advisory Board and Freddie Mac Lender Advisory Board.
Mickey Schilling, CMB®, is a seasoned mortgage banking executive with more than 25 years of experience spanning wholesale, correspondent, and retail lending. She currently serves as Chief Revenue Officer at MegaStar Financial Corp., where she leads growth, strategy, and production across the organization. A Certified Mortgage Banker, Mickey has dedicated the last decade to scaling growth and production platforms, building teams, and positioning independent mortgage banks for long-term success. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia (MBAG) and is currently the Vice-President of the Atlanta Mortgage Bankers Association (AMBA). Mickey is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She was recently recognized by HousingWire as a “Women of Influence”. She is a frequent speaker and panelist at national and regional industry events, including HousingWire’s “The Gathering” mPower Panel, Lenders One, and the New England Mortgage Bankers Conference, where she brings a unique perspective on leadership, recruiting, servicing retention, and the future of independent mortgage banking. Beyond her professional roles, Mickey is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of mortgage leaders. Married with two grown children, she draws on both her personal and professional experiences to inspire others to grow, adapt, and thrive in a changing market.
WYSIWYG Callout
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