Some mortgage professionals build successful careers. Others help shape the careers of everyone around them.
National Mortgage Professional is accepting nominations for its 2027 Industry Titans, an annual recognition celebrating the leaders, innovators, mentors, and industry advocates whose contributions have made a lasting difference in the mortgage profession.
The recognition looks beyond production numbers, executive titles, and company size to celebrate professionals who have strengthened businesses, developed talent, advanced innovation, and helped the industry weather its toughest challenges.
And not every Titan is a household name. NMP is equally interested in the behind-the-scenes leaders whose influence is felt throughout their organizations and across the industry, even if their contributions have rarely received public recognition.
A Look At The 2026 Industry Titans
The 2026 Industry Titans class demonstrated the breadth of leadership the recognition celebrates, featuring professionals with careers spanning 10 years to four decades.
Among them were Steve Abreu, founder and CEO of Newfi Lending, who emphasized the importance of mentoring future leaders; Dawar Alimi, founder and CEO of Lender Price, whose career has centered on advancing lending technology; and Geno Paluso, CEO of Sagent, whose leadership has focused on modernizing mortgage servicing.
Other honorees included Kara Lamphere, COO of Click n' Close, whose experience as a loan officer helped shape her approach to improving borrower technology, and Trevor Gauthier, CEO of ACES Quality Management, who highlighted the importance of integrity, compliance, and professional development.
Their stories reflected different paths to leadership, united by the influence they have had on colleagues, companies, and the broader profession.
Help Us Recognize The Next Class
NMP is now looking for the next group of professionals whose work deserves that same spotlight.
Perhaps it's an executive who has guided a company through multiple market cycles, an innovator who has changed how lenders operate, or a mentor who has spent years helping the next generation succeed.
Nominations are open through Sunday, Nov. 29, 2026.
Whether you're nominating a respected colleague, an industry leader, or yourself, NMP wants to hear the story behind the accomplishments and the impact that will endure.
Nominate an Industry Titan here.
