DSNews delivers stories, ideas, links, companies, people, events, and videos impacting the mortgage default servicing industry.
Issue link: http://digital.dsnews.com/i/1539371
49 2 0 2 5 W O M E N I N H O U S I N G A W A R D S September 2025 » KATHERINE CACHO Director of Default Servicing, Valon Mortgage, Inc. WHY SHE WAS NOMINATED: "Katherine is an exceptional leader whose impact on mortgage servicing extends far beyond her job description. Her deep expertise in both the operational and regulatory facets of the industry makes her an invaluable asset and a true powerhouse in the field. What sets Katherine apart is her unique leadership style—one that blends strategic vision with personal mentorship. She is deeply committed to the professional and personal growth of her team, fostering an environment where development, accountability, and excellence thrive. Katherine leads by example, never hesitating to engage with loan-level issues to support her team and ensure the highest standards are upheld. Katherine is not only a leader—she is a visionary. Her contributions have elevated her team, strengthened her organization, and made a meaningful difference in the lives of borrowers. Her dedication, integrity, and foresight embody the very qualities this award seeks to recognize." WHAT THIS NOMINATION MEANS TO HER: "Being named a finalist in the Mortgage Visionary category is an incredible honor and a defining moment in my career. For me, this recognition affirms the impor- tance of leading with vision—creating innovative processes, anticipating industry change, and ensuring that mortgage servicing remains both compliant and for- ward-looking. It means that the work I've poured into building strong frameworks and driving operational excellence is mak- ing an impact beyond today, shaping how we serve homeowners and communities in the future. This nomination inspires me to continue pushing boundaries and leading with purpose in every aspect of my work." REBECCA CLAPHAM COO, Citywide Home Mortgage WHY SHE WAS NOMINATED: "Rebecca's exceptional operational leadership at Citywide Home Mortgage demon- strates a transforma- tive impact on the mortgage industry. As Chief Operating Officer, she orchestrated a remarkable 400% increase in origination volume in 2024 while expanding operations from 32 states to all 50—achieving unprecedented growth without sacrificing service quality or employee satisfaction. Rebecca's signature approach empowers front-line employees through decentralized decision-making and flattened hierarchies, proving that employee autonomy drives superior business results. Known internally as the company's "firefighter" for her independent problem-solving abilities, Rebecca has elevated perfor- mance standards while developing people and creating sustainable competitive advantages that position her as a leader worthy of industry recognition." WHAT THIS NOMINATION MEANS TO HER: "Being honored among the Women in Housing is a validation of my core belief that exceptional results come from empowering people, not just imple- menting processes. After 25 years (15 with Citywide) of championing decentralized decision-making and employee autonomy, being recognized by an icon such as Five Star alongside industry visionaries would affirm that our people-first approach truly drives sustainable success. More impor- tantly, this honor would amplify my voice in advocating for industry-wide advance- ments that benefit both professionals and consumers. It would provide a platform to demonstrate how operational excellence and human-centered leadership can co- exist, hopefully inspiring others to flatten hierarchies and trust their teams. Finally, a recognition such as this would strengthen my ability to influence positive change across our industry." CATHERINE HUNTER Creative Director, Cornerstone Home Lending WHY SHE WAS NOMINATED: "Catherine Hunter is redefining creative leadership in mortgage finance through operational excellence, innova- tion, and strategic partnership. As Creative Director at Cornerstone Capital Bank, she leads brand strategy across lending, servicing, banking, and insurance, overseeing 900+ monthly projects and 5,000+ assets. Catherine built scalable platforms—in- cluding a self-serve ProShop and SSO-integrated tools—that eliminated weeks of manual work and enabled dynamic personalization for 200+ loan officers. Her leadership in launching full brand identities for new ABAs and modernizing digital experiences has elevated servicing standards, enhanced regulatory alignment, and expanded access to compliant, customer-centric marketing support. By aligning creative strategy with legal, compliance, and IT, Catherine has created a replicable model that improves industry effectiveness and inspires sustainable, scalable change." WHAT THIS NOMINATION MEANS TO HER: "Being a finalist for the Mortgage Vi- sionary Award tells me one thing: raising questions, breaking molds, and refusing to settle isn't just noise, it's impact. Vision isn't about comfort, it's about guts. It's pushing through the friction and building what doesn't exist yet. I don't do that alone. This is just as much about the teammates and partners who grind with me every day. Recognition like this isn't the finish line; it's a dare to keep going. And I'm here for it."