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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 54 2 0 2 5 W O M E N I N H O U S I N G A W A R D S DANA C. ABERNATHY CMB, VP of Servicing, Cornerstone Servicing WHY SHE WAS NOMINATED: "Dana Abernathy, CMB, has 30+ years of experience driving growth and improv- ing borrower experiences and outcomes through industry partnerships. Since joining Cornerstone in 2024, she has engaged with several top 50 IMBs and regional banks and helped them grow with industry-leading subservicing solutions tailored to their brand and goals—from maximizing customer retention to minimizing delinquency and risk and improving operational and financial performance. Dana actively shapes our industry's future through leadership roles within MBA, MORPAC, Mortgage Action Alliance, and numerous state and local industry associations. She co-founded Tennessee's Future Leaders Academy and has personally mentored 40+ CMB candidates nationwide. In 2024, Dana became the first in over 20 years to receive the Herschel Greer Memorial Award—an honor recognizing her extraordinary impact as a partner, advocate, and servant-leader. Dana's rare blend of vision, integrity, and heart makes her an unmatched asset to lenders and the broader mortgage community." WHAT THIS NOMINATION MEANS TO HER: "Being named a finalist for the Laurie A. Maggiano Legacy Award is profoundly meaningful. This recognition reflects not only my passion for the mortgage industry, but also the responsibility to help shape its future. My work has always been rooted in learning, mentoring, and developing future leaders, mortgage bankers, and industry advocates who will carry this mission for- ward. I believe a true legacy is not defined by titles or achievements, but by the leaders we inspire, the professionals we guide, and the lives we touch—ultimately creating a stronger, more inclusive industry for gener- ations to come." ELIZABETH BALCE EVP, Loan Servicing, Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC WHY SHE WAS NOMINATED: "With over 15 years of experience spanning nearly every facet of the mortgage lifecycle, Elizabeth exemplifies the leadership, innovation, and impact that define excellence in this field. As EVP, Elizabeth oversees a $162 billion servicing portfolio representing more than 800,000 loans. Under her leadership, Carrington has undergone a transformative modernization of its servicing division. Her initiatives have led to record-high employee engagement and record-low attrition, driven by her transparent communication, hands-on leadership, and commitment to team culture. Elizabeth has also been instrumental in advancing Carrington's digital servicing strategy, significantly improving borrower experience through the adoption of online tools that reduce friction and enhance accessibility. Her operational insight has not only improved internal efficiencies but also elevated customer satisfaction across the board. In 2025, she testified before the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee, advocating for reforms to the VA Home Loan Program. Her testimony helped shape critical legislation aimed at expanding loss mitigation options for veterans, including support for a permanent partial claim program—a proven foreclosure prevention tool." WHAT THIS NOMINATION MEANS TO HER: "At the Carrington Companies, everything we do we do for our customers. Our company mission is succinct: we enable a lifetime of simple and attainable homeownership. At Carrington Mortgage Services (CMS), we are stewards of the homeownership journey for more than 850,000 customers. It is a tremen- dous responsibility, and one we take quite seriously. Doing whatever we can, whenever we can, to help ensure the homeownership journey is a good one for the families who depend upon CMS, is a privilege. Although there are challenges, we work with customers to meet those challenges together. We are grateful and humbled by this recognition." T H E 2 0 2 5 F I V E S T A R C O N F E R E N C E A N D E X P O P R E S E N T S Named in honor of the late and much-beloved industry icon Laurie A. Maggiano of the CFPB, this award recognizes women whose accomplishments have left an indelible impact on the industry over the course of their careers, and who continue to positively influence homeownership with their ongoing work. The Laurie A. Maggiano Legacy Award F I N A L I S T S