The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) announces that Marcia M. Davies, its chief operating officer and the founder of mPower, the trade group’s women’s networking platform, will retire at the end of the year.
Davies, who joined the MBA in 2011 as chief of staff to then–chief executive David H. Stevens, has been a central figure in shaping the association’s strategy and stability. She was promoted to chief operating officer in 2014, overseeing organizational priorities across public affairs, marketing, membership, technology, and education.
“For well over a decade, MBA and its members have benefited tremendously from Marcia’s vision and passion for the mission and the people of the real estate finance industry,” said Bob Broeksmit, the MBA’s current president and chief executive, in a statement. “Her most vital contribution to MBA was her leadership in restoring financial stability to the association. Her legacy in the industry will be the founding and development of mPower, enhancing the ability of thousands of women in our industry to strengthen their networks, conduct more business, and experience personal and professional growth. I have been blessed to have her leading by my side for the past seven years.”
mPower, launched in 2016, has grown into a community of more than 26,000 members, offering conferences, webinars, and networking programs focused on advancing women in mortgage finance.
Before joining the MBA, Davies held senior roles at Freddie Mac, where she worked for more than two decades in marketing, policy, and customer outreach, and later served as senior adviser at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Davies will step down on December 31.
Championing Women in Finance
Beyond her executive role, Davies is best known for creating mPower (MBA Promoting Opportunities for Women to Extend their Reach), which has become the largest women’s professional networking platform in the real estate finance sector. What began as a single program at MBA’s annual convention has since become a fixture at industry gatherings nationwide, with standing-room-only sessions featuring leaders from Wall Street, government, and the C-suite.
Under Davies’ guidance, mPower turned into more than a forum — it became a pipeline for talent and leadership. Members credit the platform with expanding career opportunities, building mentorship networks, and elevating conversations around gender equity in mortgage finance. By pairing national events with ongoing webinars and online discussions, the community has remained active year-round, creating what Davies often described as a “safe space to share, learn, and lead.”
Her efforts gave visibility to thousands of women in an industry long dominated by men, helping normalize female leadership across lending, servicing, and secondary markets. In doing so, she left a cultural imprint that many say reshaped the industry’s approach to diversity and inclusion.
