Skillfully Repurposed

Stories of reinvention and the untapped power of mortgage talent

Skillfully Repurposed

Opportunities in creativity and technology

My own journey demonstrates how creativity and technology can open new doors in the mortgage industry. After more than 15 years as an underwriter, I transitioned into Training and Development for our Underwriting Department. Recognized for my talent in creating training content, I was given creative freedom to reshape the department’s educational approach. This is where I discovered the power of animation and gamification, transforming training programs into engaging and entertaining experiences for underwriters.

What began as a personal quest to understand these tools turned into the realization that the industry is changing, with technology streamlining operations. Originators now need creativity and technical expertise to stand out, and there is immense potential for professionals to offer creative solutions and educational marketing strategies. Underwriters and processors, for example, could become hybrid loan officer assistants (LOAs) and CRM specialists, leveraging their background knowledge to support originators in a unique and meaningful way.

LaDonna Lockard’s story of creative leadership

LaDonna Lockard
LaDonna Lockard, CEO of Maximum Acceleration

LaDonna Lockard, CEO of Maximum Acceleration, brings over a decade of expertise in mortgage education, cultivated during her 12-year tenure at Mortgage Educators, where she advanced from account executive to executive vice president. Her leadership was instrumental in developing compliance education products and driving the company’s growth and industry impact. Now, as CEO of Maximum Acceleration, LaDonna leverages her deep knowledge of innovative education strategies and her passion for professional development to empower mortgage professionals to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

What makes LaDonna’s approach particularly remarkable is her commitment to uplifting others. She brought onboard two talented individuals with origination backgrounds: Brandon Christensen, a former top 1% originator in the nation with a gift for instruction, and Elle Muse, whose exceptional project management and origination experience have been key to creating impactful educational content. Together, their combined strengths have enabled LaDonna to apply and enhance the successful strategies she honed at Mortgage Educators, bringing fresh, innovative twists to Maximum Acceleration’s mission.

Brandon Christensen and Elle Muse’s career transitions highlight how mortgage professionals can leverage their knowledge and expertise in new and impactful roles, offering inspiration to those seeking to reimagine their career paths. Their success underscores the value of identifying transferable skills and applying them creatively to thrive in a changing industry. LaDonna’s talent for aligning individuals’ strengths with her vision further emphasizes the importance of collaboration and thinking outside the box, demonstrating how innovative leadership can unlock potential and drive meaningful results.

These stories illustrate that opportunities in the mortgage industry are evolving, and those willing to integrate creativity and technology into their skill set can find new pathways to success. Whether through training, educational marketing, or content creation, there are ample ways to leverage deep industry knowledge to carve out a renewed and impactful career.

The importance of mindset

Mindset plays an integral role in navigating any career change. Whether transitioning to originations, educational marketing, or another creative path, embracing resilience and adaptability is key. LaDonna emphasized the need for forward-thinking: “You have to constantly be evaluating where this market is going, what it might do, how you may need to pivot to stay relevant.”

My own journey reinforced this lesson. Learning new skills at an age when many might think about slowing down was challenging but affirmed my belief that it’s never too late to learn and grow. As a naturally curious person, I pushed myself to embrace continuous learning, knowing that true growth comes from stepping beyond your comfort zone.

Discovering your strengths

Finding your repurpose in the mortgage industry — or any field — starts with understanding who you are. Looking back, I’ve realized that my career has always involved teaching, training, or mentoring in some capacity. It’s no surprise that even in junior high, I envisioned myself as an elementary school teacher. That passion for empowering others and sharing knowledge ultimately fueled my pivot into educational marketing.

I encourage anyone seeking to find their repurpose to reflect on their strengths and passions. Are you drawn to teaching, creative work, or technology? Do you have an eye for detail that suits a specialized support role? Identify these strengths within yourself and leverage them to create a fulfilling career path.

Final thoughts

The mortgage industry is evolving, and so must we. Displacement can be disheartening, but it also opens doors to new opportunities and growth. For individuals, this is a chance to rediscover passions and apply them in innovative ways. Challenge yourself to lean into an area that fascinates you. Whether it’s learning more about CRMs and workflows, content creation, video editing, animation, learning AI basics or taking a deeper dive into the various AI tools. Find something that excites you. For organizations, embracing the unique skills of repurposed talent can inject fresh ideas and perspectives that drive success. Let’s champion creativity, resilience, and the courage to reinvent ourselves while supporting one another. Together, we can find new ways to thrive in the industry we love. 

This article was originally published in Mortgage Women Magazine, during the week of January 2025.
About the author
Lorraine Giron is the founder of Standout Mortgage Marketing.
Published on
Jan 14, 2025
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