HUB STAGE: DEI Success Stories

AVP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Mortgage Bankers Association

Amber Lawrence has over 16 years of experience as a real estate/mortgage finance and non-profit association professional. As Associate Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), she is responsible for strategic leadership and developing organizational-wide diversity and inclusion framework, goals, equitable practices, and member-facing DEI initiatives. This current role is at the intersection of her lived experience, professional development, and passion for advancing the industry forward. In her previous capacity with the MBA, she was a core member of MBA Education’s leadership team. In addition, she managed its professional certification and designation programs – notably, the Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB®) program. In this role, she was responsible for candidate matriculation, curriculum development, and examination processes and served as the primary liaison for the Society of Certified Mortgage Bankers. She also managed the full suite of MBA Education’s Residential and Commercial Designation programs and provided oversight on the facilitation of several MBA Education courses and professional development programs, including MBA’s premier classroom program, School of Mortgage Banking (SOMB), and Future Leaders program. Amber holds a BA in Legal Communication from Howard University and an Executive Certification in Diversity Coaching, offered in partnership with Howard University and the Coach Diversity.