Diversity Of Thought, Culture Of Trust
Fairway believes inclusion a boon to customers, employees
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.
Madison, Wisc.
CEO: Steve Jacobson
Website: fairway.com
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. prides itself on being a company that strives to serve all.
Backgrounds, heritages, choices, or preferences don’t matter. Fairway, a retail lender licensed in all 50 states, exists to help and serve people, says Julie Fry, Fairway’s chief human resources officer.
No. 1 among Fairway’s core values is humility first. This value, paired with servant leadership, allows Fairway to encourage diversity of thought, create a culture of trust, have an unselfish mindset, and foster a team mentality, Fry says.
“Our core values and Fairway philosophy continue to be our foundation in serving our communities, one loan at a time,” she says.
Fairway believes inclusive practices benefit both customers and employees.
“We have the freedom to advertise to whichever platform we want to promote our services to diverse clients of any background,” Fry says.
“As just one example, one of our loan officers, Richie S., is a board member of our FairwayPride Employee Resource Group,” Fry says. “He advertises his loan services on the Arizona Pride Guide and participates in LGBTQ+ chamber events.”
Another example is Cole S., a loan officer and FairwayPride lead/board member.
“He feels he can be his true, authentic self serving his clients,” Fry says. “He has built a network of people who refer him to clients that seek a gay loan officer they can trust and build a relationship with during the homebuying process.
Both Richie and Cole feel they can perform better and feel much more satisfied at a job that accepts and supports who they are, she says.
Oftentimes, borrowers seek out someone of LGBTQ+ as trust is established almost immediately with that connection and commonality, in a safe space where they feel accepted and not judged, she says.
The most positive gain from Fairway’s inclusive practices are the new connections formed from its employee resource groups. There is a wonderful sense of belonging when you find others with whom you can relate and know you are not alone, Fry says.
The FairwayPride employee resource group was launched in November 2021, and now has nearly 100 members who meet monthly.
“This has been an amazing support group with educational opportunities and sharing stories and resources,” Fry said.
Employees take note of these inclusive practices.
Witness this testimonial from Ashley Howell (She/They), a branch administrative assistant: “WOW! What an incredible group! These meetings are so informative, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to not only learn about people I work with at Fairway, but also feel so at home knowing that we are each humans going through so many things in this life. We each go through our own evolutions of self, and I’m comforted knowing that I have a safe space to continue to grow. I’m so grateful to be a part of this community and grateful that Fairway has open arms and open hearts for us.”
Fairway also took steps to provide additional benefits to help its LGBTQ+ employees. In 2022, it launched the Family Building Benefit Program, which supports the diverse needs of employees living in traditional, same-sex or alternative families. The program does not require a diagnosis of infertility, removing the barrier for LBGTQ+ participants so that Fairway can support all employees’ path to parenthood.
“Fairway’s culture makes us feel that we are joining a family versus just a job,” Fry says. “That’s what sets us apart and makes our employees feel valued, appreciated, heard and accepted in a safe, inclusive work environment.”
Supporting ‘Their Whole Selves’
For Capital Mortgage, it’s Pride Year, not just Pride Week
Capital Mortgage Funding powered by Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
Southfield, Mich.
CEO: Harry Glanz
Website: capitalmortgagefunding.com
For Capital Mortgage Funding, supporting LGBTQ+ employees and promoting equality and inclusion in the mortgage community means being active and having a strong presence throughout the year, not just during Pride Week.
For borrowers, it means having equal access to opportunities and resources where they might otherwise be excluded and marginalized, says Lynnette Ricketts, Capital’s internal marketing director.
For employees, it means they are supported no matter their gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or other attributes. Employees at Capital Mortgage Funding are encouraged to bring their whole selves into the workplace, have their voices heard, and have their creativity and innovation unleashed, Ricketts says.
Capital Mortgage Funding, a retail lender licensed in 12 states, offers an inclusive environment where teammates can strive to be the best version of themselves, she says. Many opportunities are offered for employees to contribute to the diversity and inclusion conversation. Numerous employee resource groups serve as safe platforms where employees can come together for support, encouragement, inspiration and growth.
One of Capital’s top originators, Becky Alley, is of the LGBTQ+ community herself.
“We feel that her presence within our office and community is key to show that success has no bounds or limitations,” Ricketts says. “Sharing her story and being a strong voice of future generations to pave the path of success has been a mission of not only Becky but Capital Mortgage Funding.”
Capital hosts buyer seminars monthly within surrounding communities promoting inclusion for all. These seminars educate all attendees on the best path to homeownership, regardless of background.
Capital Mortgage Funding and Alley design a new Pride line every year that promotes those in the LGBTQ+ communities.
Ricketts says Capital Mortgage Funding markets a full shop of diversity and inclusion along with Pride promotional items to promote awareness. Special employee resource groups have been formed and are actively promoted. Capital Mortgage Funding raises awareness during local Pride festivals and events while raising money for charities.
Since its inception in the spring of 1992, Capital has thrived off its relationship-driven process. Co-founders, Harry Glanz and Dan Burke built the business with a common goal: to help families all across Michigan achieve their dreams of homeownership. Since then, Capital has helped thousands of families across the country finance their homes.
As one of the largest residential mortgage companies in southeast Michigan, Capital finds responsibility in making sure that all clients it meets to purchase or refinance have the proper tools and support to get them to the finish line, Ricketts says. Communication is key in each transaction, and treating clients like family creates a lasting connection, she says.
“We feel that every day is Pride, and no one should hide who they are or who they love,” Ricketts says. “We take steps every day alongside Becky to show everyone and anyone, they do not need to hide in plain sight because LOVE IS LOVE. We are relationship-driven and here to walk shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQ+ community.”
The Human Touch
Geneva’s Culture Prioritizes Safe, Inclusive Environment
Geneva Financial Home Loans
Chandler, Ariz.
CEO: Aaron VanTrojen
Website: genevafi.com
At Geneva Financial Home Loans, it all starts with being a “good human.”
That No. 1 core value permeates the entire company. CEO Aaron VanTrojen started Geneva with the idea that each employee would add, not detract, from a culture of equitability, inclusion, and empowerment. Part of that is ensuring employees feel comfortable and supported in the workplace and beyond, no matter race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, or any other factor.
At Geneva, a retail lender licensed in 47 states and Washington, D.C., this human-first culture prioritizes creating a safe and inclusive environment for employees, clients, and other stakeholders, says Caden Whiffen, Geneva’s brand marketing manager.
“Each year, we strive to make homeownership more accessible to all people,” Whiffen says. “Owning a home is a great equalizer in the community, and we desire to give back to our communities in the best ways we can. People are drawn to our culture and have stayed with Geneva for years because of it.”
Part of that giving back is the Geneva Gives initiative, which spotlights local charities and nonprofits, including those supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Geneva creates variations of its Be A Good Human T-shirt to support different initiatives, including one for Pride Month. Its original T-shirt also sports a nod to the company’s LGBTQ+ support, Whiffen says.
The most positive feedback, Whiffen says, has taken place in Geneva’s culture and the vibrant community it has created.
“We have cultivated a welcoming and inclusive environment for all people, and employees are taking note,” Whiffen says. “We have been recognized by multiple magazines and awards for our unique take on the mortgage industry and what it means to truly humanize the homebuying process. Again and again, we are awarded titles like Best Company for Diversity and Best Company to Work For by our employees who are truly passionate about their work environment.”
Geneva’s mission is to approach every aspect of its business from the “inside out.” With a culture-forward mindset, the company focuses on its mortgage loan originators and support staff first in order to ensure an unbeatable experience for customers.
Geneva’s inclusive practices have empowered its employees to be themselves in and outside of the workplace. Whitten notes that more than half of Geneva’s leadership team alone is made up of women and members of the LGBTQ+ community, creating a standard for acceptance and open-mindedness at the top. These leaders are passionate about creating a culture of inclusion and acceptance across all levels.
“We also have more female and minority branch managers than any other mortgage company in the industry,” Whiffen says.
Despite a constantly shifting market, Geneva is always looking for talented, open-minded, good-hearted people to join it on the journey. Geneva has fostered a diverse community with employees of all different backgrounds, ethnicities, and orientations, creating a culture that is welcoming, supportive, and inclusive in a way that is unheard of in an industry that can be very uniform, Whiffen says.
“We are genuine about wanting to support these communities in the mortgage industry and are excited our originators are just as involved in celebrating and developing our Good Human culture,” Whiffen says.
