About the Initiative

D&I Vision and Mission

Vision

A Real Estate Finance industry that reflects the diversity, inclusion and opportunity within the communities we serve.

Mission

MBA fosters a culture of diversity and inclusion within the real estate finance industry. Together with our members, we exchange information on best practices, tackle issues sand potential barriers, and create networking opportunities that advance overall diversity and inclusion within the industry. 

Five Pillars of D&I

  1. Connect our diverse members to one another
  2. Facilitate diversity and inclusion learning
  3. Promote and market diversity and inclusion
  4. Attract, retain and promote diverse talent at MBA 
  5. Create a culture of inclusion at MBA

D&I Advisory Committee

The member-led Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, a Board-appointed body, provides leadership and guidance to the MBA to help the real estate finance industry gain a competitive advantage by increasing diversity in leadership, workforce and suppliers. 

Susan Stewart
Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Mortgage Bankers Association
Chairman-Elect, Mortgage Bankers Association
Chief Executive Officer, SWBC Mortgage

Kristy Fercho
Vice Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Mortgage Bankers Association
Vice Chairman, Mortgage Bankers Association
Executive Vice President and President of Mortgage, Flagstar Bank, FSB

Paul Akinmade
Chief Strategy Officer
CMG Financial

Richard Bechtel
Executive Vice President - Head of U.S. Mortgage Bank
TD Bank 

Leslie Branson
Head of Human Resources
Berkeley Point Capital LLC

Sheri Crosby Wheeler
VP, Corporate Social Responsibility
Mr. Cooper

Chelsea Cutler
Director
CBRE Capital Markets

Zahira Gonzalvo
Senior Vice President-Operational Risk Director
Flagstar Bank, FSB

Maurice Jourdain-Earl
Managing Director
ComplianceTech

Kristin Messerli 
CEO 
Cultural Outreach Solutions

Eduardo Perez, CMB 
President
Equity Prime Mortgage LLC

Catherine Pharis
Managing Director, Multifamily Capital FHA
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Hilary Provinse 
Executive Vice President & Head of Mortgage
Berkadia

Erik Richard
Founder & CEO
Landmark Network, Inc.

Trina Scott
Chief Diversity Officer 
Quicken Loans

Ulysses Smith 
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Leader
Blend

Lorraine Stewart 
Senior Vice President, Mortgage Lending
BECU - Boeing Employees' Credit Union

Antoine Thompson 
National Executive Director
National Association of Real Estate Brokers

Tony Thompson
Vice President, Growth & Strategy
Silverton Mortgage Specialists

Richard Thornberry 
Chief Executive Officer 
Radian Guaranty, Inc.

Winston Wilkinson
EVP, President of Mortgage Banking
Pentagon Federal Credit Union