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TH E M R EP O RT | 35 Janis Smith Janis Smith VP of Corporate Communications // MERSCORP Holdings As VP of Corporate Communications at MERSCORP Holdings, Janis Smith is respon- sible for communications strategy and planning. Her leadership in communications for a smaller company is what makes Smith a true Power Player, as she also works on branding and marketing initiatives; manages staff; handles public relations and social media, media risk management, or crisis communication; and manages both of the corporate websites. In addition, Smith's team also works on event planning for the company's annual conference, overseeing graphics, printing, A/V and registration. She personally man- ages the corporation's housing and community group outreach efforts, maintaining liaisons with the D.C. offices of the major national housing and community advocacy associations. Taking on that much responsibility is a quality Smith learned from her mother, who worked tirelessly and also taught her the value of becoming someone that her family called a "servant leader." "We are really defined, not just by what we say, but by what we do. And so it's always been important for me to be involved," Smith said. "To work for organizations that do something that provides a benefit to society, and to also be involved in volunteer initia- tives that provide a benefit to other people. I really learned a lot from the women in my family about being a servant leader in all facets of life, including my work life." Smith said she looks to Eleanor Roosevelt for inspiration. Despite coming from a for- tunate background, Roosevelt chose to serve. Not only was she sensitive to the needs of others, she was also very outspoken and an advocate for women's rights, civil rights, and addressing the concerns of the underprivileged. And one of the most significant aspects of Eleanor Roosevelt's activism is her early use of media to reach the masses, something that Smith embraces within her own work life. Smith believes her role model taught women that they do have a voice, and that their voices have power. But, that's only if women use them. "That's what I have done throughout my 30-plus years in the mortgage and housing finance industry," Smith said. "Whether it was in the private sector or with a regulatory agency, I've used the power of the media to educate and to influence, and that's really how I got to where I am today."