JJ Mack / 37
Branch Manager/Mortgage Advisor
American Pacific Mortgage
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self starting out in the industry?
When I got into the industry, I was 21. I took a decent amount of risk then, but I wish I had taken more. For the last 15 years, I have realized that “the bold conquer challenges where others falter.”
Can you share some of your long-term career goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five to 10 years?
There was a time when my focus was on being the #1 loan officer, running the biggest branch, and making the most money. But my goals have evolved. Now, I prioritize building the best culture, creating an environment where loan officers and staff genuinely enjoy coming to work. It’s about growing with the right people, not just expanding for the sake of size. While I still aim to be a top-producing loan officer, it’s no longer about being #1; it’s about truly helping our clients receive the care and attention they might not find elsewhere.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
We strive to be the branch recognized as the team that loves where they work. We achieve this through innovative events that bring people together, whether past or current clients, professional partners, family, friends, or even competitors. We aim to create an open, welcoming space for all, whether it’s a Realtor using our public office area or a loan officer from another company tapping into our marketing resources. We want to be known as the branch that fosters collaboration, cares about everyone’s success, and embraces creativity.
Mike Matarazzo / 38
Secondary Market Leader
Bank of Canton
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you inspire your team?
I describe it as collaborative and supportive. I empower others by giving them the tools and freedom to take ownership of their work. I draw inspiration from the professionals around me, and aim to foster a culture where we push each other to innovate and raise the bar together. I’ve learned from outstanding industry veterans who are passionate about passing down their knowledge and inspiring others.
Can you share some of your long-term career goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five to 10 years?
An organization must perfect its tech stack to optimize customer experience, operational efficiency, loan quality, and cost. I strive to become a better leader and guide to achieve these goals.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
I make it a point to stay updated with bulletins, announcements and newsletters. There’s a wealth of knowledge available through online and live training hosted by our great industry peers and vendors. Attending conferences and participating in an online community is important to learn from others who are advancing to stay on top of emerging trends. This helps implement creative, competitive solutions.
In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the future of your industry or field?
I contribute by advocating for end-to-end technology that creates a seamless borrower experience and reduces cost. Leveraging these innovations, I aim to make homeownership more accessible and affordable for a broader audience, ultimately creating a more efficient, customer-focused industry that benefits lenders and borrowers.
Derek McGowan / 34
Loan Officer/Branch Manager
McGowan Mortgages
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self starting out in the industry?
Go for it! Get a strong foundation, including the right people around you — then don’t be afraid to dream.
My wife, Thao, does a ton to help, so I would tell my younger self to find the right partner who cares about the business, don’t take shortcuts, and you’ll be surprised where this career will take you.
It’s tough to imagine when you’re starting out, but the sky’s the limit.
I used to tell myself that I didn’t have the most experience, but I could outwork the rest of the room. That’s the one thing that’s always an option to get ahead and help your clients — when you have the instincts always to do more for your clients and the experience comes, then watch out — because this thing will start to grow faster than you can imagine.
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you inspire your team?
My leadership style has a lot of sports influences.
It resonates so much more when the coach/leader was a player themselves.
I want my team to know I’m never afraid to jump into the trenches to help.
I want to lead by example. I want the team to see me working during the day, so they know my drive to take us to higher heights.
We’re all adults, so I keep an open dialogue with the team — I let them know we’re never done growing, and I’m never set in my ways, so I encourage those who think outside the box and bring up good ideas to make us better.
Maggie Mclagan / 35
SVP, Business Development
Redwood Trust
Can you share some of your long-term career goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five to 10 years?
I’d love to manage a large team and help grow and mentor others. I hope to grow and advance in my current role, as I have a decade of relationships I have been building, and I love my clients. No matter the timing of the future, I know it would be extremely rewarding to help my company achieve its goals of taking the current business to the next level.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
Innovation and creativity are important. While my main role is relationship manager for loan sellers, I also take on a lot of marketing projects and events for Redwood. I love the creative work of creating content for social media, flyers for new programs, and beneficial short videos for our clients and their loan officers. I find it fun and challenging to think differently and that requires a lot of innovation in the non-conforming loan space.
In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the future of your industry or field?
Most households are dual income, and it isn’t talked about enough how crucial it is to support young parents to achieve their goals. The biggest impact to be made is mentoring and growing the women in the industry — as women tend to take on more of the mental load at home and still do an incredible job professionally. I’d love to create a network to help this era of women as they are vital to the success of the mortgage industry.
Ryan Moon / 33
Vice President, Wholesale Sales
Acra Lending
Can you share some of your long-term career goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five to ten years?
I aim to advance my expertise in the mortgage industry by taking on leadership roles that allow me to influence policy and drive innovation. I envision myself in a position where I can mentor and guide emerging professionals, shaping best practices and contributing to the sector’s ongoing evolution.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
Prioritizing innovation and creativity is key to my success, and I foster an environment that encourages experimentation and open communication. I make it a point to bring together team members from different backgrounds and disciplines, as this diversity leads to fresh ideas and unique solutions. I also dedicate time for brainstorming and creative thinking, allowing my team to explore new concepts without the pressure of immediate results.
Embracing failure as a learning opportunity helps create a culture where taking risks is encouraged. I also invest in continuous learning, ensuring my team stays current with industry trends
In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the future of your industry or field?
I see my contribution to the future of the mortgage industry as primarily focused on mentorship. I’m passionate about helping the next generation of professionals develop their skills and navigate the complexities of this field. By sharing my experiences, offering guidance, and supporting their growth, I hope to contribute to a more knowledgeable and capable industry.
John Pavlakovich / 40
Sr. Mortgage Consultant
Prosperity Home Mortgage LLC
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self starting out in the industry?
Embrace curiosity and be unafraid to take risks. Networking is imperative, so be sure to prioritize building genuine relationships early and stay connected. Connections are invaluable and can often lead to unexpected opportunities. Listen actively and seek mentorship; experienced professionals’ guidance can significantly shape your path.
Stay focused on continuous learning — every experience, even failures, is an opportunity for growth. Learn from it rather than fear it! Take risks — some of the best experiences come from stepping outside your comfort zone!
Time management is key; slow down and prioritize your daily routine to realize the most effective outcome. Take the right action to get the right results.
Trust your instincts and be patient; success takes time. Prioritize work-life balance to avoid burnout. Take care of yourself.
The industry is always evolving, and adaptability will set you apart. Going the extra mile often leads to gaining a competitive edge.
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you inspire your team?
My leadership style centers on open communication and collaboration. Fostering a transparent environment encourages everyone to share their ideas and concerns, ultimately enhancing our collective creativity and problem-solving abilities. Ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued builds trust and rapport within the team.
Focus on setting a clear vision. Establish your goals and create a blueprint for achieving them, empowering the team to take ownership and contribute meaningfully to our collective objectives.
Michael Richardson / 40
Producing Branch Manager
Gold Star Mortgage Financial
Can you share some of your long-term career goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five to 10 years?
Over the past six years of running my own branch, I’ve found great fulfillment in mentoring new loan officers (LOs) and watching them succeed. In the next five to 10 years, I envision expanding this passion into a larger endeavor. My goal is to create a space where new LOs can thrive, develop their skills, and become leaders in the industry themselves.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
I thrive on change and always seek creative ways to keep my work fresh and efficient. Monotony is my enemy, so I constantly seek new methods to streamline processes and improve our operations. Recently, embracing AI has played a big role, allowing me to automate routine tasks and focus on higher-value activities. By integrating new technologies into my workflow, I’ve been able to stay ahead of industry trends, adapt quickly to changes, and maintain a dynamic and engaging environment for my team and clients.
In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the future of your industry or field?
I see my future as a blend of innovation and customer focus. I plan to use advanced technologies to streamline the application process, making it faster and easier for clients. My goal is to ensure every borrower’s journey is seamless from application to closing. Additionally, by embracing change and focusing on education, I believe I can help create a more inclusive and efficient mortgage lending environment, adapting to market shifts and staying ahead of industry trends.
Adam Rose / 39
Vice President
Western Ohio Mortgage Corp.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self starting out in the industry?
This business is a marathon, not a sprint to the finish. If someone believes that the reward will come immediately, they may be set up for disappointment. Work-life balance is extremely important. When I first started I worked from dusk to dawn and all weekend. Does this industry take that type of commitment? Yes, I think it does, BUT setting boundaries with your clients and Realtor partners is extremely important.
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you inspire your team?
I feel I have always led by example. I stayed late, helped our customers when there was nothing in it for me, and never asked someone to do something I wouldn’t do. If you put your hard work on display, people will follow you. I do my best to not let the stresses that I bring onto myself to be shown to my staff and ensure that we we laugh and keep an upbeat attitude.
Can you share some of your long-term career goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five to 10 years?
One of my goals is to double the company’s production through well-manicured decisions, whether it be new technology or taking a chance on a newbie to our industry.
I am also in the process of moving into ownership within our company and have a long-term vision of providing other financial services to our clients. I see us becoming a one-stop shop for all things finance in the next 10 years.
Gianina Rosenblatt / 40
Senior Vice President, Corporate Operations
CMG Financial
Can you share some of your long-term career goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five to 10 years?
My only true goal has always been the same: simply to express my potential to its fullest. I plan to continue developing myself as a mentor, invest deeper into my relationships, and inspire anyone to take pride in themselves and their work, see their potential, and realize it. Not everyone is meant to be a leader, but I’d like to help create as many leaders as possible.
I want to continue expanding my reach and influence within the enterprise, take on additional responsibilities, and be given more opportunities to take ownership.
My ultimate goal is to be a C-suite-level executive and have a seat on the executive management team of my firm. This is only meaningful if I can achieve it, continuing to be my authentic and honest self.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
My driving engine is iteration, which I practice constantly. When designing a process, I am always building in flexibility and leaving room for new ideas. I capitalize on every opportunity to improve and do not discriminate between multi-million projects or the white space in a single email. I encourage my team to think outside of the box about how we can do it better, even when we think we’ve nailed it.
I have invented my role at every company I’ve ever worked for simply by creating what I saw was needed. This is the mindset I try to instill in my team as well — never be afraid to make something better!
Alex Rozhansky / 24
Loan Officer
Supreme Lending
Can you share some of your long-term career goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five to 10 years?
In addition to continuing to grow my business and skillset in the industry, I’d love to grow a team of my own to work alongside me, mentor, and have fun together doing it. I don’t think there would be anything better than working with a bunch of my friends and helping more and more families get into homes at the same time. I’m also dedicated to continuing to partner with local real estate agents and helping them grow their business as well.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
I emphasize creativity in my business approach. I work hard to originate loans that others wouldn’t typically take on. This has played a huge role in my success because I have gained the trust of borrowers and their real estate agents. Finding creative solutions to close a difficult loan with a new referral partner is huge in establishing trusted relationships. Someone once told me that “the best way to build relationships with anyone, is to face adversity with them.” So, when facing a challenge with a referral partner you haven’t worked with before, overcoming the challenge together can build trust 10x faster.
I also combine innovative technology with the basics. While we have industry-leading platforms and automated systems in place, my fundamental selling tactic is picking up the phone. Whether it’s making 50–100 calls a day or being available whenever someone needs me, these actions build an element of trust and has significantly grown my business over the short course of my career.
Tyler Slesk / 35
Branch Manager
Gold Star Financial
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self starting out in the industry?
1) Think long term.
2) Do not forget the relationships you make along the way.
3) Pivoting is part of business/life — get comfortable with it.
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you inspire your team?
I want others to feel responsible for making their own decisions on both micro and macro levels. I want those I work with to be empowered by their responsibilities. The best way for a leader to inspire is to put in the hard work and let his/her team see the results. If accomplished, the mentality is contagious.
Can you share some of your long-term career goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five to 10 years?
To help others begin and continue to grow their careers. We are working on this by teaching others how to treat their clients respectfully while educating them about real estate. This education is empowering and helps give our clients a sense of pride in controlling certain aspects of their life. Growing our team and creating a larger footprint is our next goal.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
There is no one secret to success. Success comes from being consistent with making connections, treating people with respect, pivoting or implementing new ideas, then seeing how they improve your current process. We constantly think of ways to improve the process and reach more people. Innovation is the top priority for us.
Deshawn Smith / 32
COO
CMS Mortgage
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
Innovation and creativity are essential to staying competitive and meeting clients’ evolving needs. I prioritize these elements by continuously seeking new technology, exploring fresh approaches to client engagement, and fostering a team culture that values proactive thinking. For me, innovation is about creating systems that make processes more intuitive, transparent, and client-centered.
Creativity comes into play by finding unique solutions to common challenges, whether streamlining internal workflows or personalizing the client journey. I encourage my team to bring new ideas and actively contribute to our goals, creating a collaborative environment where everyone feels invested in better serving our clients. This focus drives growth, improves client satisfaction, and ensures we’re always moving forward.
In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the future of your industry or field?
I see my role as one that champions accessibility, transparency, and continuous improvement. I’m committed to advancing how mortgage services by leveraging technology to simplify and personalize the client experience. By streamlining processes and enhancing digital engagement, I aim to make homeownership more approachable, especially for first-time buyers who often face complex barriers.
Fostering a culture of learning and adaptability within teams is essential for long-term success. I aim to build mentorship programs and growth-focused initiatives that enhance our team’s skills and strengthen our industry. My goal is to contribute to a mortgage industry that values innovation, client care, and the professional growth, setting a strong foundation for years to come.
Michael T. Smith / 39
CEO
Home Mortgage Services LLC / Mortgage Systems USA
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
Innovation and creativity are essential when you’re aiming to achieve uncommon results, and they’ve been key components of my overall success. I didn’t really hit my stride until I made a conscious decision to do better — to challenge the status quo.
That’s one of the things I love about the broker space — it allowed me to combine what worked from the bank and direct lender models while shedding what didn’t. I created something more streamlined and client-focused by keeping the components that worked well and eliminating the parts that created roadblocks.
I consider my brokerage highly innovative because it allows me to partner with some of the largest names in the industry and offer top-tier products without the burdensome overhead. This flexibility allows me to keep fees low for my clients while maximizing compensation for my team. It’s a win-win.
In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the future of your industry or field?
Through Mortgage Systems USA, I believe I’m contributing to the industry in a revolutionary way. By opening the door for professionals in industries strategically aligned with mortgages — such as real estate, insurance, and even legal fields — I’m shifting the mortgage process away from being largely associated with banks. These professionals are already trusted figures in clients’ lives, and empowering them to offer mortgage services could fundamentally change how loans originate.
Rich Stevenson / 38
Leadership Development Trainer
ServiceLink
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self starting out in the industry?
I spent a lot of time building up a knowledge base at the start of my career before I felt comfortable seeking more responsibilities and opportunities. If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self that you will spend the rest of your life somewhere between knowing nothing and knowing everything, and you will grow much faster when you get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you inspire your team?
My default leadership style is transformational, focusing on inspiring and motivating others to achieve a shared goal. But established leaders understand the need to flex into different styles depending on individual needs and scenarios. The people I work with on my team, and in the programs I lead, are typically intrinsically motivated, but connecting individual perspectives to strategic targets via storytelling can also be incredibly helpful.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
I try to continually consider more effective ways to approach challenges faced by leaders in our industry. Our leaders have so much experience and ability that they are extremely helpful in aiding me in identifying opportunities for improvement. But I also embrace being open-minded and willing to find inspiration anywhere, from within the industry to academia to lessons learned in my personal life. I could never be successful without considering all these perspectives when interacting with leaders and developing and delivering content.
Dee Toal-Brothers / 37
Chief Executive Officer
LYNK Capital
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self starting out in the industry?
Embrace adaptability from the very beginning. The mortgage and real estate industries are constantly in flux, and flexibility is crucial for successfully navigating those changes. I would also emphasize building relationships — every connection made can be invaluable, and fostering genuine connections often leads to unexpected opportunities. Finally, I would stress the significance of patience and resilience; success frequently requires persistence and a willingness to learn from setbacks. Embracing these principles early on would set a solid foundation for a rewarding career.
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you inspire your team?
My leadership style is centered on collaboration and driving results. I empower my team by allowing them to make decisions and trusting their expertise while providing necessary support. Open communication is key, and I foster an environment where continuous learning is encouraged, as a knowledgeable and engaged team is critical to our success. I inspire by clearly aligning the team with the company’s vision, ensuring everyone understands their role in achieving our long-term goals and feels appreciated for their contributions.
Can you share some of your long-term career goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five to 10 years?
My primary goal is to solidify LYNK Capital’s reputation as a frontrunner in the private lending sector by expanding into new markets. Personally, I would like to mentor emerging leaders within our organization, providing them with the guidance and resources necessary to thrive. Ultimately, I envision growth and a strategic and sustainable expansion that creates lasting value for our clients and partners, ensuring we remain at the forefront.
Mary Kate Traficano / 34
Client Engagement Specialist
Sagent
The following was written from the 40 Under 40 nomination.
Sagent’s Customer Success team serves a crucial role as we deliver today while building for tomorrow, and a key member of that team is Mary Kate Traficano, whose influence on Sagent’s customer communication is shaping the way lenders and servicers adopt and use servicing technology.
During three years at Sagent, her grit, innovative approach, and exceptional communication skills have nurtured meaningful customer relationships that are prerequisites to servicing innovation for both our current solutions and Dara, the platform we’re building for the future of our industry.
Mary Kate knows the smallest details matter when interacting with our customers. Mary Kate reviews and assesses all customer communication requests, which requires her proven reliability and agility under tight deadlines. Mary Kate ensures her expertise remains relevant by continuously learning about our industry, then skillfully translates complex technology concepts into useful information that our customers apply in their daily workflows. Relentless in her pursuit to elevate Sagent’s engagement with our customers, Mary Kate brings creativity to every initiative, from enhancing website usability to hosting the perfect social gathering for customers to relax after a challenging day of hands-on training.
As we build Dara, the industry’s first-ever servicing platform to unify all data and user experiences for servicers and homeowners across the entire servicing lifecycle, Sagent relies on tight collaboration with our customers to ensure we understand and address their needs. By making this collaboration possible, Mary Kate shapes how our industry adopts technology, innovates, and ultimately succeeds in delivering positive homeowner outcomes.
Bethany Williams-Woodward / 32
Data Solutions Product Manager
Dark Matter Technologies
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self starting out in the industry?
I would advise my younger self not to withhold my thoughts/ideas from people in leadership just because I felt intimidated by their position. Like the rest of us, executives put their pants on one leg at a time.
As long as I can approach a situation with humility and a willingness to learn, it’s a safe assumption that good leaders will want to hear about things that will move the needle. Even if they don’t respond how I anticipated they might, I’ll have learned something.
It boils down to never stop swinging the bat — a base hit can still bring someone home.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
I spend a lot of time filtering through information that will enable me to focus on the things that matter.
AI is a game-changer for everyone, and staying on top of new trends is a full-time job, but blocking out the noise that comes with these technological advancements and innovative ideas is essential. I hone in on where to innovate by listening to podcasts like The Data Chief on how other leaders tackle the same landscape. It helps me think about things differently.
With the accessibility of AI, making the technology work for our customers has been a huge priority. While I’m not the most creative person in the traditional sense, I think I’m pretty creative in figuring out how to use AI to help solve problems, complete tasks, or even be more creative.
Josh Woodward / 36
President and CEO
Lima One Capital
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self starting out in the industry?
Stretch to hire good people. Lean on your network and employees to find good people. Spend more time interviewing, getting to know, calling references, and talking to people in your network. Focus on core personality traits as much as specific business acumen. Ensure compensation aligns with organizational goals and then “pay up” for talent.
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you inspire your team?
I try to find ways to create environments where my team can be at their best. This approach starts with listening and observing. From there, we set very tactical goals and communicate those in a clear, concise, and consistent way — formation requires repetition. Then, we work to support each other and hold each other accountable for accomplishing our objectives. I also like to have some fun along the way.
Innovation and creativity are critical. Our business will be dramatically different in six months, and even more dramatically in a year, and so on. Necessity is the mother of invention, so we embrace change and adaptability as core values. We use the eager anticipation of change to fuel innovation and creativity. New ideas and continuous improvement are the lifeblood of almost every business, particularly one that is highly competitive, cyclical, and has commoditized elements.
In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the future of your industry or field?
I would like to continue to help drive the creation of quality housing. Housing shortage and instability are some of our country’s largest challenges, and I would like to continue to try to figure out and solve this problem.
Kyle Wright / 34
Branch Manager
American Pacific Mortgage
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
I’m naturally a pretty creative person. I always have several business ideas in my head, and I’m always researching and following successful entrepreneurs to see what they’re doing.
What I’ve found helpful is to surround myself with people who push me, provide accountability, and are not afraid to give honest feedback. When I have new ideas, I bounce them off my sphere first. Then I prioritize my ideas to make sure they fit into my business and rely on my team to implement them. This collaborative approach helps ensure that we’re focusing on ideas that can truly move the needle.
Creativity is essential, but execution is what drives success. I count on my internal and external team to filter out impractical ideas and bring focus to what’s realistic and impactful. By fostering an open environment where ideas are discussed and challenged, I create space for innovation that can actually be realized.
By tapping into the collective creativity of my team, we ensure that our ideas are both fresh and executable, driving long-term success.
In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the future of your industry or field?
The mortgage industry can be seen as the opposite of innovative, with many professionals sticking to familiar approaches that everyone is using. One of my unique strengths is that I’m not afraid to try new things that are unconventional. I’m also not afraid to invest in new ways of doing things. These two things will probably lead to a much bigger contribution to the mortgage industry in the years to come.
Taylor Young / 36
Deputy General Counsel
ICE Mortgage Technology
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self starting out in the industry?
I would tell myself that no company has it all figured out. Everyone is dealing with some level of inefficiency, so don’t let perfect be the enemy of progress.
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you inspire your team?
My style is fairly informal, open, and candid, with an emphasis on building relationships so everyone feels safe asking questions and proposing new ideas. We are spread out all over the country, so we stay in touch on Teams (which is really about 50% GIFs) and have an onsite every year.
Can you share some of your long-term career goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five to 10 years?
I’m happy in my current role working with great teammates. This may not make me a LinkedIn influencer, but … my focus, both short-term and long-term, is to have a positive impact each day on the company, our people, and our customers.
In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the future of your industry or field?
My goal is to reduce contracting and legal friction in the industry as a lot of what lawyers do can be streamlined or removed entirely.
How do you prioritize innovation and creativity in your work, and what role do these factors play in your success?
My job often requires finding creative solutions to problems stemming from rigid systems, processes, and/or regulatory environments. For better or worse, opportunities for creativity find me, and my ability to craft efficient solutions is an important and fulfilling aspect of my role.
