GENERAL SESSION: Intentional Leadership

SVP, National Field Sales & Strategic Accounts, Arch Mortgage Insurance Company

As Arch MI’s SVP-National Field Sales and Strategic Accounts, Valerie Ausband is responsible for managing sales, profitability and budget, client relationships, and hiring and developing sales talent. With 25 years of mortgage insurance experience, Valerie has led both Arch MI’s and United Guaranty’s sales organizations to achieve extraordinary sales results, year over year. She has spent her career in mortgage lending and mortgage insurance industries, starting her career with a leading market share retail mortgage lender in Atlanta, moving to the title services business and then joining United Guaranty in 1998. Valerie’s dedication to the industry is evidenced by her leadership and creation of the Executive Women’s Conference and the Women’s Leadership Group. She also serves on the Board of Advisors for XINNIX®, the Mortgage Academy. Housing Wire recognized Valerie in its 2017 and 2018 “Women of Influence” programs. In 2019, she received the Mortgage Women Magazine's Women with Vision Award. Valerie and her son are active members of YMSL (Young Men's Service League), serving the community through philanthropic work. She holds an Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) designation, a Property and Casualty license and a Georgia Real Estate license. Valerie earned her bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Georgia.

mPower Founder and MBA Chief Operating Officer, Mortgage Bankers Association

Marcia M. Davies is MBA’s Chief Operating Officer, responsible for ensuring cross-organizational alignment and facilitating the implementation of strategic initiatives, as well as maintaining oversight of key organizational priorities. She provides leadership, guidance and overall management to the Public Affairs, Marketing, Conferences, Membership, Education, Information Technology and Office Services divisions. She also provides management oversight to, and is a Board member of, MBA’s Opens Doors Foundation. Previously, Marcia worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner and in various roles at Freddie Mac for 21 years. She is the founder of mPower — MBA Promoting Opportunities for Women to Extend their Reach — MBA’s networking platform for women in the real estate finance industry. She is a member of the NAWRB Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council (NDILC), three-time recipient of Women with Vision award, and was honored by HousingWire as one of its 2015 Women of Influence.

Senior Client Advisor, Morgan Stanley

Carla Harris is a Senior Client Advisor and former Vice Chairman at Morgan Stanley. She is responsible for increasing client connectivity and penetration to enhance revenue generation across the firm. She formerly headed the Emerging Manager Platform, the equity capital markets effort for the consumer and retail industries. In her 30-year career, Harris has had extensive industry experiences across many sectors. As a senior member of the equity syndicate desk, she executed such transactions as IPOs for UPS, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and more. In 2013, Carla Harris was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women’s Business Council. She has many accolades, including Fortune Magazine’s list of “The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America,” Fortune’s “Most Influential” List, and U. S. Bankers “Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance.” She has performed five sold out concerts at Carnegie Hall and is the author of the books Strategize to Win and Expect to Win.