Mortgage Banker Magazine highlights the women who are making an impact. We recognize and honor the Powerful Women of Mortgage Banking — it’s important for women to see women leaders within the industry, especially in areas where they may not expect to see them in great numbers, such as technology, finance, and the C-suite.
Read about the women who are moving the needle by setting an example and holding the door for their peers and the next generation of powerful women in mortgage banking.
Cathy Blaszyk
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)
Director, Partner Development
As Director of Partner Development for mortgage technology at ICE, Cathy Blaszyk has played an integral role in building the industry’s leading partner integration network which drives innovation across the mortgage ecosystem. Cathy has led her partner development team with the understanding that third-party providers aren’t just vendors; they’re partners that function as an extension of ICE, bringing additional value to mutual customers and advancing our shared mission of delivering an interconnected, end-to-end real estate and housing finance experience.
Through her work to grow the partner ecosystem, ICE is able to give our customers access to more service integrations so they can unlock new efficiencies and capabilities across their workflows. One of Cathy’s crowning achievements has been the launch of ICE’s digital partner Marketplace, which allows lenders to browse and search ICE’s approved partners and solutions while giving partners a way to differentiate themselves by creating profiles and earning ratings and reviews. Additionally, she has developed standardized partner onboarding and support, liaises with engineering to accommodate partners’ technical needs, and identifies new partners and emerging solutions that fill gaps in workflows and provide customers with more choices.
What differentiates her? How is she impacting the industry or the people around her?
Cathy’s efforts to expand the partner network have not only provided ICE customers with greater flexibility in how they structure their technology stack to better serve their borrowers, but have also promoted growth and innovation across the industry. ICE’s continued investment in the API-based Encompass Partner Connect platform allows the partners that Cathy supports to innovate and enhance their integrations as much as they want - ultimately allowing our mutual customers to advance on their technology journey to improve and streamline the loan manufacturing process.
Before growing a thriving network of nearly 300 integration partners offering more than 1,000 solutions, Cathy managed some of ICE’s largest partnerships and worked closely with cross-functional teams to promote the adoption of the partner network’s products and services.
Prior to taking a position at ICE, Cathy was a VP at one of its integration partners and spent two decades as a mortgage banking executive. She has also participated in several MBA panels on the topics of technology and regulatory compliance.
Michele Buschman
American Pacific Mortgage
Chief Information Officer
What are some of the key milestones in your career?
A major milestone in my career was discovering my passion for software development while managing trading operations at IMX Exchange. I identified inefficiencies in our platform for managing pricing and locking and worked with developers to create innovative solutions. This experience shifted my career towards the technical side of mortgage banking. IMX Exchange played a pivotal role in bringing the technology we use today to search, price, and lock loans online, marking a key moment in my professional journey.
Can you share a significant achievement or project you are particularly proud of?
One achievement I am particularly proud of is supporting the development of a proprietary application at American Pacific Mortgage. This platform streamlined the onboarding process for branches and employees, including NMLS licensing and automated account provisioning across various cloud and SaaS solutions. The result has been a significant increase in operational efficiency, reducing the need for adding a significant headcount in these areas, as the organization grew. This project not only improved internal processes but also allowed the company to scale more effectively, enhancing productivity without the need for a large operational workforce. Additionally, access to critical information is now easily accessible, making our organization more effective.
What role do you believe women play in shaping the future of the industry?
Women play a critical role in shaping the future of technology and mortgage banking. Through organizations like Mortgage Bankers' mPower and Proofpoint's "Women Who Cyber," I have seen women bring fresh perspectives to leadership and innovation. As one of the few women in leadership roles early on, I have witnessed first-hand the value of diversity. Today, there is increasing representation of women in executive positions, which strengthens the industry by encouraging inclusive and creative problem-solving.
How do you see the mortgage banking industry evolving in the next 5-10 years?
The mortgage industry will continue its digital transformation, reducing costs and speeding up the loan process. I foresee significant investment in security and creating more open systems to integrate financial services data, streamlining mortgage origination. As digital solutions mature, the time and cost to obtain a mortgage will decrease, making homeownership more accessible to Americans. The entire mortgage manufacturing process will evolve, driven by data accessibility and advanced digital tools.
Rachel Caple
Geneva Financial
Chief Revenue and Sales Officer
Rachel is an unstoppable force of nature! Rachel navigated industry upheaval with flair and finesse. Her 23 years of experience shine through her expertise in sales, operations, and leadership, turning employees into superstars while driving strategic expansion without missing a beat. Rachel’s secret weapon is her human-centric approach, making people feel valued and supported. As Chief Sales and Revenue Officer, she’s a revenue-maximizing, benchmark-setting powerhouse who transforms markets and embodies Geneva’s core values. Rachel Caple isn’t just leading—she’s revolutionizing the industry with her upbeat, innovative spirit.
What differentiates her? How is she impacting the industry or the people around her?
Rachel Caple is a pivotal figure in the Mortgage Banking industry, noted for her exceptional leadership during a time of significant disruption. Since joining Geneva Financial in 2019, she has driven a growth rate exceeding 270% over the past three years. Her strategic vision and execution have facilitated rapid, quality growth by engineering a sales and operations bridge. With over 23 years of experience, Rachel excels in sales, corporate operations, and leadership, significantly contributing to business growth and employee development.
As Chief Sales and Revenue Officer, Rachel maximizes Geneva’s sales effectiveness, driving market expansion and setting industry benchmarks. Her human-centric approach ensures employees and customers are prioritized, fostering a positive work environment and aligning with Geneva Financial’s mission and vision. Her commitment to core values and innovative strategies has profoundly impacted both the company and the industry.
Serving as Sagent’s EVP, Chief Customer Officer for over four years, Jesse Decker leads transformative initiatives that benefit both Sagent and our customers. Jesse has been instrumental in developing an end-to-end customer success story for Sagent’s clients, engaging with customers to ensure that they are receiving the value they expect from Sagent’s extensive range of servicing products.
Throughout the development of Sagent’s future-of-servicing platform, Dara, Jesse has kept our customers up to date with our progress, helping to build excitement and drive interest for the platform. Jesse works with Sagent’s customers to understand the struggles they face with existing technology and relentlessly communicates that information to Sagent’s engineering team to ensure those issues are addressed (in real time) with the new platform.
Outside of Dara, Jesse has fostered a culture of collaboration and teamwork within Sagent. She has worked diligently to revamp Sagent’s customer communications and support teams to drive maximum value for our customers. Under her guidance, Sagent has achieved a 200% increase in its Net Promoter Score (NPS) and has renewed every expiring customer contract over the past four years.
Jesse Decker
Sagent
EVP, Customer Success
Jesse believes building modern servicing technology is about more than delivering an excellent customer experience. To lead an evolution in servicing, new platforms — including Dara — need a bedrock of collaboration between providers and customers, plus deep servicing expertise all around to identify nuances that lead to increased costs, compliance risks, or inferior homeowner experiences. It’s impactful that Jesse’s comprehensive understanding of the servicing sector and empathic leadership skills have empowered Sagent to build products that solve our customers’ real-world problems. It’s those same skills enabling Jesse and her team to communicate effectively about the benefits of an end-to-end platform like Dara to current and potential customers, including America’s largest and most successful servicers.
One example, Jesse promotes a customer-first culture at Sagent by improving internal processes to gear every decision toward enhancing the customer experience. From careful orchestration during the sensitive onboarding process to ongoing implementation to Sagent’s products and even contract renewal discussions, she puts herself in our customers’ shoes, understands their concerns (technical or otherwise) and advocates for their success in every action she takes. And because Sagent only succeeds when our customers do, Jesse’s contributions continue to be mission-critical at Sagent in 2024 and beyond.
Kim Hoffman
Mortgage Connect
President of Mortgage Connect Risk Solutions
What are some of the key milestones in your career?
In the 35 years that I have been a mortgage banker, I’ve worked for multiple major banks and lenders in almost every area. My career has exceeded my wildest imagination. Having a solid foundation and being an avid learner has allowed me to tackle major business transformations, like outsourcing large-scale operations, leading a global workforce on multiple continents, buying mortgage companies and helping to take a company public.
All this has led me to the role I hold today, President of Mortgage Connect Risk Solutions, formerly Adfitech. Joining Mortgage Connect was the pivotal milestone in my career. The company had just acquired Adfitech, a due diligence leader that had served the industry for 40 years, and my job was to retain its prestige while refining and enhancing operations, and to simultaneously facilitate its integration into the Mortgage Connect family and subsequent rebrand to MC Risk Solutions.
Can you share a significant achievement or project you are particularly proud of?
I’ve been fortunate to participate in many successful projects of which I’m proud. BUT becoming a CMB was one of the proudest days of my career. It was a grind, but to be a mortgage banker and earn this designation, well let’s just say I couldn’t be prouder.
What role do you believe women play in shaping the future of the industry?
During my career I’ve seen women make tremendous strides moving up within the industry, but our numbers are still light in the C suite. I often wonder what is holding us back, but I’m hopeful we’ll see the glass ceiling shatter for good and all people will be elevated based on skill and talent. Women bring a unique perspective to the conversation, and their views are invaluable as we work to expand access to homeownership and solve a growing affordability issue. Diverse voices lead to more dynamic, nuanced solutions, and having women at the boardroom table is critical to bring these to light.
How do you see the mortgage banking industry evolving in the next 5-10 years?
I believe the industry will look significantly different in 2034. I believe technology – AI and generative AI – will transform our lives in ways we can’t imagine. I hope to be a part of the massive opportunities that will no doubt arise from this technology and from technology on the horizon, like quantum computing. Before my career ends, I’d like to see people getting mortgages with the ease of a car loan or credit card without risk to the financial system, because we’ve opened our minds to the art of the possible through technology. It’s a moon shot, but if we aim for it, we’ll get somewhere between where we are today and there. Like so many in our industry, I love what we do and the role we play in facilitating the dream of homeownership. It sounds cliché, but it’s not – it’s our daily reality.
Lana Izgarsheva
A&D Mortgage LLC
Chief Operating Officer
What are some of the key milestones in your career?
My professional life is mainly dedicated to A&D Mortgage. I have achieved several milestones that have shaped my professional path with this company. I have been an active participant in building A&D Mortgage from the ground up to become the nation’s top officially verified Non-QM lender. This accomplishment is meaningful to me, given the competitive nature of our industry.
In addition, I have put a great deal of effort into improving the efficiency of the company’s operations. I have worked on streamlining the underwriting process, which I believe has ultimately become a critical factor in establishing A&D Mortgage as an industry leader, ensuring that we deliver exceptional service while maintaining high standards.
Driven by my passion for creating a positive and supportive work environment, I’ve also decided to transform our HR department. I’ve helped cultivate a workplace where employees feel inspired to develop their skills and reach their full potential.
Can you share a significant achievement or project you are particularly proud of?
One of the key accomplishments I am particularly proud of is the recent transformation of our underwriting workflow at A&D Mortgage. I’ve put my effort into integrating automation and refining our underwriting processes. Thus, the implementation of Loan Operating System (LOS) automation and Liquid QC, as well as the integration of QC into Loss Mitigation, resulted in a 40% increase in the volume of files sent to closing, a 50% reduction in underwriter discrepancies, and more accurate forbearance decisions. This project improved our efficiency and ensured that we could continue to provide exceptional service to our clients. These underwriting changes were a key driver of our becoming an Originator Choice Lender.
How do you see the mortgage banking industry evolving in the next 5-10 years?
The mortgage banking industry is poised for significant transformation over the next 5-10 years, driven largely by advancements in technology and shifting borrower demographics. I anticipate greater adoption of AI and automation to streamline the lending process, enhancing efficiency and improving the borrower experience. Non-QM lending will also continue to expand as more self-employed borrowers and gig workers seek flexible financing solutions. Additionally, we’ll see an increased focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, as lenders integrate sustainability into their practices. Regulatory frameworks will evolve to accommodate these changes, and the industry must adapt quickly to remain competitive. At A&D Mortgage, we’re committed to leading these innovations while maintaining a strong emphasis on customer-centric solutions.
Rebecca Seward
Ocrolus
Director of Product (Mortgage)
Rebecca has helped Ocrolus revolutionize digital lending by building document automation and analysis products that delight customers and drive innovation in the mortgage lending industry. Rebecca brings valuable industry experience to ensure Ocrolus solutions address key challenges facing the mortgage industry.
Under Rebecca’s product leadership, Ocrolus innovations are helping mortgage lenders reduce processing time, improve accuracy and maximize profit margin on every single loan, while freeing up more time to focus on critical lending decisions and giving lenders the flexibility and scalability they need amid fluctuating demand for home mortgages.
Her work on Ocrolus’ mortgage solutions has created efficiency in the origination process by automating a significant part of this workflow, combining mortgage document classification, data capture and income analysis into one user-friendly product. The solution offers the ability to streamline the qualification of both traditionally and self-employed borrowers, and provides lenders with multiple calculation options from most to least conservative so they can make faster and better decisions with trusted data.
Rebecca and her team are leading the way in supporting mortgage lenders’ needs for document automation with an objective and standardized approach to evaluating the borrower’s income, increasing confidence in lending decisions and reducing risk of human error.
What differentiates her? How is she impacting the industry or the people around her?
Early in her career, Rebecca worked hands-on as a Closing Coordinator at First Home Mortgage, manually verifying and filing documents to ensure successful loan execution. Today, she is designing products that automate these same tasks, and in doing so, she is moving the lending industry forward.
Rebecca understands the pain points that mortgage lenders endure because she has experienced them first-hand. Rebecca’s passion for building intuitive, scalable products is evident throughout Ocrolus’ mortgage solutions. She leverages her deep industry experience to key in on inefficiencies in the mortgage lending workflow, helping lenders make high-quality lending decisions with trusted data.
Rebecca’s work focuses on aligning her products with lenders’ needs and improving efficiency and productivity in their operations. The impact is evident in testimonials from Ocrolus’ lending customers. Compeer Financial, a Midwest-based cooperative that provides loans, leases and other financial solutions, is a company that prides itself on its relationships with clients. After turning to Ocrolus to automate parts of their workflow and spend more time nurturing client relationships, their VP of rural living solutions Tim Tjosaas said, “We believe in spending our money in smart ways, and Ocrolus has proven to be a very good buying decision.”
Danielle Walker
Xactus
SVP, Business Development
What are some of the key milestones in your career?
I have been in the mortgage industry for 18 years. Throughout that time, I headed up the teams that developed several large platforms and apps, including a tax verification platform, an appraisal management software, Appraisal FirewallX, which was one of the first platforms in the industry that allows lenders to manage their own appraisal process and connect with their various appraisers and AMCs; developing Appraisal ScorecardX for automated and manual appraisal reviews; and VerisiteX, a proprietary app allowing lenders to verify the current condition of the property with borrower-taken photos.
Can you share a significant achievement or project you are particularly proud of?
I currently oversee the success of Xactus’ property and data solutions: Appraisal FirewallX, Appraisal ScorecardX and VerisiteX. Since taking over, my team and I built out the VerisiteX report to be the first enhanced-AVM with 12+ pages of subject and market data. By using this enhanced AVM report, lenders can look beyond the subject property, get insights into the surrounding market and quickly review a subject’s approval for HELOCs. Appraisal ScorecardX also saw major enhancements, including me spearheading the addition of AI being built into Appraisal ScorecardX to better indicate the presence of potential bias and presence of faults with the property that could cause a delay at Underwriting.
What role do you believe women play in shaping the future of the industry?
I believe women to be instrumental in shaping the future of our industry, while forming a positive workplace culture that prioritizes work-life balance, mental health, and professional development. We are finally in a time where we are seeing women at the top of large mortgage banks and fintechs. And yet, still only one-third SVP and C-Suite positions are held by women. We need to do better. We need to be better mentors and advocates for future generations of women who are entering our industry, and provide guidance and support to the women currently in our industry who are going to help shape the future of mortgage banking and fintech. We need to help promote gender equity in this industry.
How do you see the mortgage banking industry evolving in the next 5-10 years?
Advanced technology will continue to shape and streamline processes. Companies that invest in extensive digital platforms and user-friendly interfaces will likely gain the market share. AI and computer vision will continue to play an increasing role in decision-making processes. We have only seen the beginning of this in our industry. With enhanced AI, our industry will be able to better asses credit risk, personalize consumer offers, and effectively analyze property and collateral, plus so much more across all facets of the loan process. We are seeing ongoing advancements with data analytics that will also provide deeper looks into the behavior of consumers, in turn helping lenders best tailor their products and services to meet the needs of our customers and industry.
Leslie Winick
Mortgage Capital Trading (MCT)
Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)
What are some of the key milestones in your career?
At this point in my career, I find myself in a cycle of constant reflection. Each laugh line, every gray hair is an earned gift. I’m grateful for the opportunities that have come my way, and I’m also proud that I recognized and capitalized on them. Every day I’m setting new goals and checking off boxes – for MCT, CapitalW, and myself. Milestones abound. However, if I had to pick a few instances over the past 30-odd years, it’s the moments when people of respect and influence reached out to create a personal connection. As mentors, they wanted to learn about me (all of me) and helped me raise my game. Also early on, I saw the value of mentorship, and throughout my career, I’ve tried to emulate their teachings. I became the one reaching out, and I’ve never stopped. It feels so good to elevate others.
Can you discuss any initiatives or programs you have been involved in that support women in mortgage banking?
2024 is the year of CapitalW Collective. Launched in May, the 501(c)(3) non-profit has already made a name for itself in the industry. CapitalW is the only organization focused on educating, elevating, and empowering women in mortgage capital markets. Along with Amy Creason and Patricia Peters, I’m a very proud co-founder, and we’re also fortunate to have Deb Jones join us on the Board.
Education is our cornerstone. We’ve been developing virtual resources, as well as launching our education committee. We’ve also been building relationships with the Mortgage Bankers Association and industry collaboratives. None of this would be possible without our corporate sponsors, so I’m deeply grateful to MCT and Agile Trading Technologies for immediately lending their backing. Soon, we’ll be announcing several more industry stalwarts who believe in our mission and ability to deliver.
How do you see the mortgage banking industry evolving in the next 5-10 years?
Further faster. The impact of technology and the speed with which it will be implemented will be staggering.
Think about the digitization that came out of necessity during the pandemic. Every process step from loan origination to sale was affected, and in many instances, made more efficient, secure, and profitable. Looking ahead, no matter where a company plays in the mortgage value chain, it will need to become a “fintech” or cease to exist. Many roles and processes we use today will be disintermediated.
I don’t’ anticipate that affordability pressures will lessen. It’s also likely that the frequency and ferocity of climate-related events will continue, and we’ll see more climate refugees seeking shelter. For those who still have homes, the price of insurance (if it’s still available) will continue to take a larger share of family income. These are all complicated and inter-related issues that require a holistic solution.
