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M R EP O RT | 35 What Others Are Saying "Since 2017, Ali Haralson's exemplary leadership and accomplishments have helped Auction.com reach over $53 billion in sales. She has spearheaded the launch of innovative disposition solutions that produce better outcomes for mortgage servicers, distressed homeowners, distressed property buyers, and communities. She has also worked with Operation Homefront and is VFSAC's Vice Chairperson." What does this nomination mean to you and what makes you a good pick for this category? I am honored to be nominated for the coveted Laurie Maggiano Executive of the Year Award. Laurie was an industry icon, a force for good, and a believer in making a difference in the lives of others. The past 18 months have tested my grit and determination while responding to change. At the pandemic's start, we created our Community Stabilization Pledge to help safeguard distressed homeowners and occupants. We also continued refining our platform and strategy to produce better outcomes that help stabilize neighborhoods by returning properties to market faster. Our pre- foreclosure Market Validation Program benefits include foreclosure prevention, transparency that allows equal access for buyers, a graceful exit for borrowers, better execution for sellers, and neighborhood stabilization. Launched in June 2020, the IDEA Council has created numerous educational and events focused on a more diverse and inclusive workplace. Since becoming Auction.com's first female president, I have intensified the company's focus on innovative solutions to yield better outcomes for buyers, homeowners, communities, and employees. My competitive drive will keep me pushing for positive change for our company, industry, and communities, striving to stabilize neighborhoods and create a future of affordable housing. What Others Are Saying "Arleas Upton Kea began her legal career in Washington, D.C., serving first at the U.S. Department of Labor's legal division and then joining the Legal Division at the FDIC during the banking/savings and loan crises in the 1980s. Kea expanded her role beyond the Legal Division when she was appointed by the FDIC's Board of Directors to serve as the Ombudsman, where she served as the liaison with bankers, industry representatives, community groups, and the public. Her achievements include selection as Chairman of the Coalition of Federal Ombudsmen and receipt of the prestigious Vice President's Hammer Award for management excellence in government." What does this nomination mean to you and what makes you a good pick for this category? It is an honor to be nominated for the Laurie Maggiano Executive of the Year Award. Laurie's commitment to protecting the public's interests while fulfilling her organization's mission parallels my values and journey. I began my career as one of few women lawyers and even fewer minorities. I embraced positions that allowed me to better understand our stakeholders' perspectives, such as members of Congress, other regulators, community banks, our employees, and the public. As COO, I oversaw our Acquisitions Branch and spoke in various forums on doing business with the FDIC. In my current role, I create greater awareness of our mission to maintain stability and public confidence in our nation's financial system. Like Laurie, who worked to save millions from foreclosure at the height of the mortgage crisis, I led a hiring initiative that quickly increased our workforce by 4,000, enabling us to manage the financial crisis during the 2008 recession. Laurie's accomplishments are an inspiration to so many, and I am thankful for her legacy. What Others Are Saying "As COVID-19 engulfed the country, Marietta led a seamless transition to virtual operations, ensuring her more than 300 employees were safe. Rodriguez and her leadership team supported nearly 250 network organizations, securing more than $22 million dollars in grants to address infrastructure and capacity needs, expansion of virtual services, and food and healthcare for residents. The organization also launched a consumer safety program, StopHomeScams.org, to teach consumers how to avoid housing scams. She now leads the organization through the administration of the Housing Stability Counseling Program to help people avoid foreclosure and homelessness." What does this nomination mean to you and what makes you a good pick for this category? I am incredibly honored to be nominated for the Laurie Maggiano Executive of the Year Award. I had the pleasure of working with Laurie when she was at HUD and while she was at the CFPB. Together, we faced the 2008 foreclosure crisis. I admired Laurie's ability to pull together the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to strategize solutions that were galvanized around improving others' lives. Being named a finalist is of great significance to me. Laurie Maggiano exercised leadership under one of the most stressful housing crises. As President & CEO, I draw inspiration from her ability to foster impact from collaboration and coordination. Leading a housing and community development organization during a global pandemic, I have built upon her model of leadership, enabling us to distribute more than $22 million dollars in grants, launch a consumer safety program, and administer a housing counseling program to help people avoid foreclosure and homelessness. I believe this kind of leadership would make Laurie proud. Ali Haralson President, Auction.com Arleas Upton Kea Deputy to the Chairman for External Affairs, former COO, FDIC Marietta Rodriguez President & CEO, NeighborWorks America