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October 2023 » thefivestar.com 61 and a file clerk, and we had to borrow money to pay their salaries. As luck would have it, clients followed us, and WFZ was "in the black" within its very first year. I still have in my office a framed copy of our first check, received from a loan servicer client who wanted to be the first one to pay us. In 2018, WFZ had grown to its largest size of 138 employees (including 69 attorneys). Managing that size of firm was certainly a career mile- stone, but at the same time, it was a bit daunting knowing we were responsible for 138 livelihoods! I am also very proud that WFZ is a WBENC certified wom- en-owned firm and is recognized as one of the largest women-owned law firm in Orange County. Of course, another proud career achievement was receiving this Five Star Women in Housing Leader- ship Award. Thank you again. Are there any women who have served as career mentors for you, and what did you learn from them? My mom had significant influence on me as a businessperson. My dad was the epitome of an entrepreneur with his many businesses, such as a construction company, a brokerage company, a prop- erty management company, a real estate investment company, and several retails businesses—all going at the same time. When he met my mom in around 1960, she was a second-grade schoolteacher. After they married, my mom became my dad's receptionist, secretary, bookkeeper, property manager, retail shop operator—whatever was needed to keep the businesses going. These jobs were in addition to being a wife, a gourmet cook, and a mother of two. She evolved to be the business partner, making day-to-day business decisions for almost 50 years. Yet, to the outside world, my mom may have appeared to be just the wife of a successful businessman. My personal take- away is that, despite outward appearances, a woman may really be running the show. What is the most critical piece of advice you would give to women beginning their career in this industry? This is the great thing about being in the finance and real estate industry: there are many different career options in this field. And it's not that unusual for people to change careers while remain- ing in the same industry (such as starting in real estate sales and then moving on to mortgage banking.) When you begin your career, start building your profes- sional relationships. Attend networking events. Let your employer know that you are interested in attending trade confer- ences, such as the Five Star Conference or the MBA events. Not only will you gain education from very knowledgeable speakers involved in many different trades, but you will meet other attendees to build your network. The people you meet may become your friends, clients, fellow networkers, business partners, fu- ture employers, etc. These relationships may not happen overnight, but they are definitely worthwhile investments in your career. The Keys in Hand Award Stacey Walker Director, Single-Family Affordable Lending, Freddie Mac What are your proudest career achievements thus far? I have been at Freddie Mac for more than 20 years. In that time, I have had many proud career moments, start- ing with the original development of CreditSmart®, our financial education curriculum 21 years ago. It has given me immense pride to oversee the recent overhaul of CreditSmart, making it a suite of educational courses to include homebuyer education, financial capa- bility, and facilitator training in multi- ple languages to reach more potential homebuyers. I am proud every day to partner with our Borrower Help Centers and other nonprofit housing counseling agencies to prepare consumers, including low- and moderate-income families, for home- ownership. I take pride in highlighting the great work they do as a vital part of the housing ecosystem and Freddie Mac. In 2022, along with other partners, these centers provided homebuyer education to more than 104,000 consumers, one-on- one prepurchase counseling to 40,000 individuals, and provided foreclosure avoidance education and counseling to more than 41,000 households. Finally, I am most proud of the growth I have experienced as a woman and person throughout my career at Freddie Mac, in a position that allows me to contribute to the mission of making home possible for all. Are there any women who have served as career mentors for you, and what did you learn from them There have been many, many women who have served as mentors throughout my career, both within Freddie Mac and outside the company. Many of my men- tors had no idea they were my mentor! Through these women, I have learned how to lead by example and with respect, think strategically, be prepared for the task, and to never stop learning! What is the most critical piece of advice you would give to women beginning their career in this industry? Be patient. Always trust yourself, meaning learn to trust your gut instinct. Give yourself grace. Never stop learn- ing. Help someone else. All of these are critical! 2 0 2 3 W O M E N I N H O U S I N G A W A R D S