Guild Mortgage Names VP Of Diverse Talent Development

Guild Mortgage, a San Diego-based mortgage lender, on Thursday announced the appointment of Lamont Watson as the company’s first vice president of diverse talent development. 

In this role, Watson will spearhead initiatives to recruit, develop, and empower a diverse workforce, while fostering an inclusive environment where Guild employees feel valued and supported, the company said.

Watson has a wealth of experience and expertise in the industry, having spent the past 11 years with Guild serving clients in South Carolina, managing five branches, and earning a spot in the top 15% of production at the company, first as a producing sales manager and then as a producing branch manager. Before joining Guild, he was a loan officer with JPMorgan Chase and then Bank of America.

“Through Lamont's leadership,” said Guild CEO Mary Ann McGarry, “Guild will continue to build a diverse and inclusive organization that thrives on the strengths and talents of its employees, where borrowers and employees feel welcomed and supported.”

With 19 years in the mortgage industry, Watson has consistently demonstrated his commitment to helping families achieve homeownership and financial goals, Guild said. Since 2004, he has helped more than 2,500 families, and in 2020 his team surpassed $50 million in volume.

“My personal experience as a Black man working in the mortgage industry for the past two decades has given me insights and experience to draw from that I’m ready to put to work to help create an environment that supports and empowers Guild’s diverse workforce,” Watson said. “I think this is a pivotal role, and I’m proud that Guild tapped me to bring my personal perspective as someone who has successfully overcome cultural differences and achieved a high level of success within the mortgage industry to foster diversity and inclusion.”

He added, “With this new role, one big area of focus is to build strong relationships and collaborations with internal stakeholders and external diversity-focused organizations. To attract and retain diverse talent we will improve our talent development processes, including mentorship and career advancement opportunities.”

Based in San Diego, Guild Mortgage is a national lender originating and servicing residential mortgage loans. With more than 4,000 employees and over 300 retail branches, Guild has relationships with credit unions, community banks, and other financial institutions and services loans in 49 states and the District of Columbia.