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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 56 2 0 2 4 F I V E S T A R C O N F E R E N C E & E X P O have to come at the cost of self-sacrifice. Finding time and space to breathe each day has enabled me to have a dynamic 20+ year career in the mortgage industry. Corporate Social Responsibility Award TIFFANY FLETCHER SVP, Compliance and Operations Support, VRM Mortgage Services Q: What are your proudest career achievements thus far? My proudest career achievements revolve around the opportunities I've had to develop and contribute to the growth of others. I find immense joy in mentoring and encouraging people, and it's deeply fulfilling to witness them thrive as their untapped talent, abilities, and potential are realized. Q: Are there any women who have served as career mentors for you, and what did you learn from them? Throughout my career, I have been blessed to have both men and women as mentors. However, the women who mentored me hold a special place in my heart. Despite the challenges they faced in their journeys, they demonstrated grace and integrity, never hesitating to coach, support, and advocate for my professional growth. From them, I have learned, and continue to learn, invaluable lessons that strengthen my leadership abilities and inspire me to persevere, regardless of the obstacles. Q: What is the most critical piece of advice you would give to women beginning their careers in this industry? My advice is a collection of valuable insights I've gained from my incredible male and female mentors throughout my career: Be Courageous—DREAM BIG: Don't let fear hold you back from pursuing your dreams and using your gifts. Share your aspirations with management, and leverage opportunities to add value and make a meaningful impact. Be Vulnerable: Though it may seem contrary to courage, vulnerability is, in fact, one of the truest measures of it. Being open with your emotions is crucial for connecting with others and building strong relationships. Be Authentic: Be respectfully yourself. Treat others the way you wish to be treated. Authenticity fosters trust and respect. Laurie A. Maggiano Legacy Award DONNA SPENCER VP of Servicing Relationship and Performance Management, Freddie Mac Q: What are your proudest career achievements thus far? Several months before the Great Recession started, I decided to pursue a manager position in the loss mitigation department at Freddie Mac. This leap of faith formally established a career path for me. I stepped up to manage the team, where I had once been an individual contributor. It required a level of confidence from me and support from those around me to lead my peers. I am also proud of the time spent attending the face-to-face borrower events that Freddie Mac and servicers held during the crisis. It gave me the ability to hear personal stories directly from borrowers, which was helpful when it was time to provide input on policies and procedures that would drive changes in the servicing areas. Q: Are there any women who have served as career mentors for you, and what did you learn from them? One of the greatest mentors that I have is my former leader. She believed in me and my ability to perform. There are many leaders who are looking for a cookie-cutter employee with a standard background. When I joined this woman's team, she quickly identified the skill sets that I brought to the table. She saw my potential and assigned two of the highest-profile accounts to me. She was a mentor, manager, and a sponsor. There were so many lessons learned through this relationship, but the main takeaway was that good work must be joined together with a leader who is willing to sponsor you and has the capacity—she was the one who talked about me when I was not in the room. Q: What is the most critical piece of advice you would give to women beginning their careers in this industry? This is a unique industry. You can build a career in this industry with a variety of degrees, and even if you don't have a degree, there is still room for you to grow to senior levels. If you are willing to work hard, build strong relationships, and demonstrate flexibility, you will be able to create a career that will have a lasting impact on the lives of homeowners. One other piece of advice—and this is especially for women—take others with you on your journey. It's so important to build a community of leaders who are willing to mentor, coach, and sponsor others. It's about creating a culture of serving others that will continue to pay dividends for years to come.