TheMReport — News and strategies for the evolving mortgage marketplace.
Issue link: http://digital.themreport.com/i/722172
TH E M R EP O RT | 21 As a woman with nearly three decades of experience in mortgage servicing, Nationstar Mortgage EVP and Chief Customer Officer Dana Dillard feels a certain kinship with others who are in the same position. "When you go into a room and there's only two or three women in there, you tend to know each other," she said, laughing. "It tends to be the same women at the various industry meetings. There's not that many of us that have hung in there for this length of time and most of us all support each other and are friends and colleagues and look forward to encouraging each other." Dillard's longevity in the predominantly male-dominated mortgage servicing indus- try is no accident. Two things she is known for among her colleagues and peers are her upbeat spirit and her ability to meet custom- ers' needs with the right solutions. Dillard was already a veteran in the business by the time she began her tenure with EMC Mortgage in the early 2000s, where Ralene Ruyle was the chairman and CEO. But up to that point, Dillard had never worked for a company that was led by a woman. "She really taught me a lot about being true to herself and at the same time being able to be tough when you need to and make the hard decisions," Dillard said of Ruyle. Now in her fourth year in her current position with Nationstar Mortgage, Dillard believes that women have the potential to be successful in the industry because they bring a unique skill set to the table. Still, she said, challenges face women in the industry, even when you have a seat at the table, so to speak. "Even when you are included in things, sometimes it's difficult to be heard," she said. "I think that's something that I continue to work on—having an impact and not just being in the room, but being effective in the room, and being able to contribute. Just being heard and taking advantage of the opportunities that you have to be heard and have that influence." For women who are trying to break into the mortgage industry—or maybe even those who have worked in the industry for any length of time—there is always a chance to make a difference. "I would say the opportunities are limitless for women in the housing space," Dillard said. Dana Dillard EVP AND CHIEF CUSTOMER OFFICER, NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE DANA DILLARD SPECIAL SECTION