From Army Brat To Chief Operating Officer

How did you get your start in the mortgage industry?
SL: I started my career at the California School of Mortgage Banking. I was hired there as a receptionist, but I found the work interesting and started taking their classes as well. After a year, I found a job at a mortgage company and started as a processor, working my way up to an underwriter in three years. I worked my way up from there.

I have been in this industry for nearly 40 years, but I still find the work fascinating and fulfilling!

What does being a trailblazer mean to you?
SL: For me, being a trailblazer means being willing to step up, speak up and make your presence heard and seen.

I am particularly honored to be considered a trailblazer. When I started in this industry over 40 years ago women were only considered for administrative roles, not management nor decision-making positions. That has changed considerably, although there is still a long way to go.

I consider myself lucky to have been surrounded by strong female role-models who provided such amazing support and guidance to help me in my journey to the C suite. Whenever I felt like I was an imposter and didn’t deserve to be promoted or advanced, I could look at the ladies around me. Seeing what they had accomplished, I was inspired to follow their example and keep moving up.

I make it a point these days to mentor young women coming up through the ranks, so they know they are not alone on this path. I remember how important it was for me to have role models to look up to and rely on for encouragement. I want to provide that for the next generation of female change makers.

Where do you see yourself and women in general in the industry over the next five years?
SL: I want to continue to mentor and help young women in our industry build successful careers.

My hope is that we see more and more women working their way up the ladder, all the way to CEO and other leadership roles in our business (and other fields as well!). We don’t have enough yet and that is a detriment. Women have a different approach, so having a balanced view of the challenges we face can only benefit everyone today and into the future.

What is your professional superpower?
SL: My superpower is my intuition about people. I can see the potential in others; now from the position I have reached, I can help them recognize their own worth and encourage professional growth.

Many people get scared when a big goal is within reach. It can be overwhelming and cause a lot of anxiety about what will happen next.
I love being there to support them when that happens and help them realize they have what it takes to move up. It is an incredibly satisfying feeling!

Tell us something about your career in the mortgage industry that was pivotal to your achievements today.
SL: The pivotal moment was when the president of the company took a chance on me (a 25-year-old underwriter) and basically forced me to take a step up. He believed in me even when I didn’t, and it gave me the confidence I needed to take a leap of faith.

I still had doubts on my journey but that first push got me through a door that led to the next and the next. Each time I moved forward, I felt my confidence grow. I might not have had the chance to learn that if I had not had the initial impetus he gave me.

What advice would you give to a woman entering or trying to move up in their mortgage career?
SL: My advice is to learn, learn, and keep learning. I would implore them to make time to volunteer in their communities and become a known, trusted face. Trust is a hugely important component in our industry.

Make their aspirations known to those who have the capacity to make it happen. Be prepared to work hard and step forward when necessary. Let their voice be heard even if the confidence is not always at its strongest, because it lets those around you know you are committed to your goals and willing to push toward them with determination.

It is so important not to let anyone tell you there is something you cannot do. Letting that negative voice into your head will be unhelpful and damaging to your confidence. I am not afraid to admit it took me years to get past the feeling that I was not capable of the things I am very good at.

I can’t overemphasize the importance of finding a trusted mentor. Surrounding yourself with people who will support you and provide honest and constructive feedback as you move through your career is paramount.

What does success mean to you?
SL: To me, success means eventually leaving my chosen career secure in the knowledge that I have made a positive and lasting impact on the lives of those I have encountered.

My feeling of success will be through leaving a legacy of being a mentor and a valued teammate; someone who made the lives of others better for my involvement in their life and career.

How do you recommend navigating change in an industry that is always changing and growing?
SL: It is vital to always be open to learning new things, and a great way to do this is to get involved with industry groups. Speaking with colleagues and sharing ideas provides you with opportunities to improve your own processes alongside offering suggestions to others who want to do the same. There will always be that new piece of software or innovative way of streamlining the lending process and if you are “in the loop” with others, you stand a better chance of being able to take advantage of the information.

One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t do this sooner. I likely missed out on some chances to improve processes in my role. I can’t state strongly enough the importance of keeping current and informed about innovations in our industry.

Another thing I think is necessary is to have a good sense of humor. This may sound strange but if you can laugh or share a lighter way of looking at a situation, it not only helps you reduce stress, but it can also help to bond with colleagues and assist them in navigating difficult days.

I asked a colleague one day how he was doing. He said bluntly, “I woke up this morning.” I found that to be a lighthearted yet profound way of setting expectations; understanding that life (and work) can be tough and unpredictable but there are always blessings to be grateful for. Look for those blessings disguised as humorous moments and you will be able to weather even the toughest of storms.

Do you think it’s important to have a mentor?
SL: Having a mentor is critical to a successful career. I have had a few over the years and I have been a mentor to others as well.

Mentors provide honest feedback, support, and sage advice when you need guidance, are at a crossroads, or simply need a boost to your confidence.

Mentors don’t always have to be positive either. I once had a moment when I looked at someone on a call with me and they praised me for being stressed and negative. I realized this person was not someone I wanted to emulate. It gave me pause, making me think about my own actions and reactions to the situation. I came to understand that I was not acting in the way I would expect of myself and changed my attitude about my own behavior.

Find a mentor who you can trust to let you know when you are on the right path and when you are not. The honest feedback will let you adjust as needed and see yourself reflected in another’s eyes, which is invaluable.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work time?
SL: I love to spend time with my grandchildren and my family. We are a very close family, and we treasure the time we get to be together, whatever we happen to be doing.

My husband and I love to travel; we are planning a cruise to England, Ireland, and Scotland this year.

How do you want to be remembered in our industry?
SL: I want to be remembered as someone who helped others to advance and thrive in their careers. I would like to be the type of boss who is thought of as fair and motivating to those who work for me.

I am passionate about pushing people to do their best and be their best. That is the kind of legacy I would like to have. To have left the industry better because of the people that I inspired to aspire to excellence and use their talents to the fullest.

How do you find your voice?
SL: It honestly took me years to find my voice. When I finally did, it was because of people who saw potential in me, pushing me to speak up when I had an idea or wanted to state an opinion.

Finding your voice means stepping out of your comfort zone and letting yourself be heard. Even if every idea isn’t the best, the confidence to speak up comes from practice. It comes from taking a deep breath and putting your ten cents worth into the discussion, then learning from the results. The more you speak, the more confident you become that what you have to say has value and needs to be expressed.

It is also important to remember that even if someone doesn’t like or appreciate your idea or opinion, that doesn’t mean you were wrong. Sometimes others simply don’t understand or aren’t ready to process what you have to say. Or they process information differently than you do. Present your ideas to their presentation style. Keep trying!

By far the most important piece of advice I was ever given was that I should learn to stand up for myself and my values no matter what the situation I find myself in. That has resonated with me all my life and throughout my career.

What’s your biggest fear and why?
SL: My biggest fear is failure. I have always had imposter syndrome and although it has lessened over time, it has never completely dissipated.

The feeling that I might have overreached my abilities or would let others down still shows up now and then. I think it will always be there lurking but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. What I have found is that generally, my fears aren’t reality and they can actually encourage me to push myself harder toward achieving the goals I have set.

I always want to be the one who sets the example and makes sure I don’t ask anyone else to do more than I am willing to do myself. A little bit of fear can add just the edge I need to succeed.

What is your favorite book or podcast that you would recommend and why?
SL: I have two favorites. “Spark” by Annie Morgan, Courtney Lynch and Sean Lynch. It is an incredible book that talks about how any individual can change a company by being the spark. Someone who is willing to step up and be the change that is needed to push everyone to higher levels of achievement.

My other favorite is “You’ve Got This!” by Margie Warrell. It is a very motivating book that helps you to realize you do have what it takes to make the next bold move in your life and your career. It gives you a confidence boost to believe yourself worthy of the advancements you seek and to seize the opportunities that arise without letting fear or feelings of unworthiness hold you back.

How do we propel more women into leadership roles within our industry?
SL: Be a mentor and support each other. It sounds simple but I think we must realize that it will take women to get more women into senior positions in our industry and other businesses as well.

We are each other’s biggest asset when it comes to encouragement, support and leading by example.

When I started in this industry, women were in lower administrative roles and rarely, if ever, advanced to management positions. I think this was not only a function of society and business seeing those roles as inherently male, but also women themselves not feeling that they could aspire to higher career goals.

That has changed but we still have work to do. When women reach down and offer their hand to pull others up with them, we all benefit. I want to see that to continue and to be more prevalent as the future unfolds.

As this article is all about being a trailblazer, I would like to say that I feel that I have been all about encouraging others to be their best. I have always been passionate about giving others the confidence to pursue their dreams and learn their value for themselves instead of having to rely on others for validation.

I once had a young woman approach me at a conference and refer to me as the “fairy godmother of VP.” This was after a speech that was given at the conference referred to me as having given another young woman a chance to advance. That moment has always stuck with me and showed me how important it is for women to lift each other up.

I have learned, over a long career, that standing up, speaking out and having the courage to express yourself is the path to success. I also have had the honor of being able to pass those lessons onto women in whom I see potential and don’t deserve to be pigeonholed into roles that they see as their only options.

All options are on the table for all of us; I am hopeful that we will see exponentially more women reaching for their dreams in the knowledge that they are worthy, capable, and deserving of success.