TheMReport — News and strategies for the evolving mortgage marketplace.
Issue link: http://digital.themreport.com/i/551198
44 | Th e M Rep o RT Special Section Emerging Leaders leading ladies Cari Burris Co-founder, direCtor of operations, nationwide appraisal network Age: 34 Cari Burris is a founding partner of Nationwide Appraisal Network. Her leadership and dedica- tion to the organization is believed to be what sets Nationwide Appraisal Network apart from many of its competitors. A main goal for Cari this year includes the design of a more technologically effi- cient solution for enhanc- ing quality control. Her team follows in her foot- steps when it comes to service and commitment to vendors and clients and as a business owner, she believes her team's in- volvement and dedication to the community is truly inspirational. In her off- hours, Cari spends time with her family cooking and kayaking. "I love be- ing able to take feedback from vendors, clients, and team members and turn it into real results with an emphasis on improving our business," Cari said. Morgan Clemons CoMplianCe attorney, aldridge pite, llp Age: 30 Morgan Clemons worked at the Georgia Department of Banking as one of only two attorneys regulating 8,000 mortgage companies and originators. In 2015, she joined Aldridge Pite's compliance group. While still a junior attorney, Morgan has been invited to speak on mortgage fraud prevention, state and federal regulatory violations, enforcement hearings, and other topics. In the coming years, she is sure to be a "go-to" authority on the regulation of financial services products. "I started working as an attorney when the industry began feeling the effects of mortgage law changes and the CFPB," Morgan said. "I knew mortgage regulatory work would be a great niche practice to be in and level the playing field for me with everyone else learning the new rules too." Dana Gipson senior direCtor of operations, digital risk Mortgage serviCes Age: 29 As senior director of operations at Digital Risk, Dana Gipson is responsible for the operations and financial strategy of a large end-to-end origination fulfillment project consisting of 450 employees across three production sites. In this role, she performs financial, operational, and quality oversight and partners with several unit leaders ensuring the project is tracking toward SLA's. It was because of Dana that the project's operational efficiencies have skyrocketed, streamlining processes and increasing productivity. "My determination to overcome obstacles is a critical trait that aided in my success," she said. "In our industry, every situation is different. Over time, I've become an expert problem solver, investigating where the gaps are and determining what other tools or resources are needed to succeed … it's fun! Christy Kirby senior underwriter/ teaM lead, Banksouth Mortgage, llC Age: 34 Christy Kirby graduated with a finance degree from the University of Georgia and began as a mortgage processor directly out of college. Her first position was under the leadership of Kim Nelson, whom she proudly still works for today. Eight years ago, Christy moved into underwriting, where she works to stay on top of guideline changes with particular focus on helping the company grow in this ever-changing industry. A Georgia native, she has seen firsthand the housing growth in the suburbs of Atlanta, where she resides with her husband and two young girls. "[In college] there were a couple of excellent professors that taught me about the secondary market and mortgage- backed securities that kept my interest to pursue a career in mortgages," Christy said. Dominique Mancuso Capital Markets senior trader, w.J. Bradley Mortgage Capital, llC Age: 29 Dominique Mancuso joined W.J. Bradley in 2011 and manages pipeline trading and hedging. Dominique managed and maintained analytics for pipeline and MSR hedging prior to heading up trading and was a major contribu- tor to the transition from correspondent whole loan delivery to agency pooling. Before her role with W.J. Bradley, she assisted in re- establishing a sophisticated Capital Markets group at Aurora Bank. In late 2008, Dominique held a tem- porary position with GCO Education Loans, after working as a supplemental instructor of economics. "What I love most about my job is the fast-paced, high-pressure environ- ment. I enjoy predicting economic data and waking up early in preparation for release and reaction," she said. "I've seen the market sell off more than a point in less than 20 seconds and I've been ready for it."