SPEAKERS

Jesus Abikarram, EA is a tax resolution expert helping small business owners resolve their IRS debts. With over 30 years of experience he helps taxpayers navigate the IRS tax code and minimize their tax liability. An advisor and founding member of negozee, he's become a nationally recognized speaker and influencer in the Hispanic tax community.

Edwin Acevedo began his real estate career in 2008. After 6 years of real estate sales, he began a new venture called Lotus Group Real Estate with several partners, which became the fastest-growing real estate brokerage in the city of Downey for 2016. Entering 2022, Lotus Group Real Estate is affiliated with Century 21 and is now called Century 21 LOTUS, solely owned by Edwin and his wife Claudia Acevedo. It now consists of over 60 agents that span over two different locations, Downey and Ventura. He prides himself as an entrepreneur and his focus is on strategic business building.

Andrew Ackerman is a recovering consultant turned serial entrepreneur, startup mentor and angel investor. He has invested in over 70 startups over the past 15 years. Mr. Ackerman is currently the Strategic Advisor / Head of REACH Labs for Second Century Ventures and was previously Managing Director at Dreamit Ventures where he launched and built both their Edtech and Urbantech (proptech and construction) verticals. He has written for Fortune, Forbes, Propmodo, CREtech, Builders Online, Architect Magazine, Multifamily Executive, etc. Mr. Ackerman has founded two companies and keenly appreciates the difficulty of building a successful startup, even under the best of circumstances.

Gary Acosta is the Co-Founder & CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP®). NAHREP is the nation's largest Hispanic business organization with over 40,000 real estate professionals and 100 local chapters. In his capacity as CEO of NAHREP, he created the Hispanic Wealth Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a strategic plan to triple Hispanic household wealth by 2024. In 2018, Mr. Acosta co-founded L'ATTITUDE, a mega-event that celebrates the achievements of the Latino community in business, entertainment, technology, and politics.

Nora Aguirre is an associate with Century 21 Americana. She has been in the real estate profession for 16 years, rapidly growing her business to become one of the top agents in the country. As a first-generation immigrant from Mexico, she is passionate about educating buyers about real estate and helping them find their next forever home. Ms. Aguirre has grown her business to more than 200 transactions per year resulting in an average of $1.5 million in gross commissions.

Nancy Almodovar, CEO of Nan and Company Properties, finds success in helping others and breaking stereotypes in luxury real estate. She's a dedicated supporter of Houston's culture and businesses, and as an ambitious entrepreneur, Almodovar drives business growth through data-driven strategies. Her achievements include being named Houston Agent Magazine's Managing Broker of the Year (2020), one of Houston's Most Influential Women by Houston Women Magazine (2022), and a 40 Under 40 Honoree by Houston Business Journal (2022). Houston Business Journal has also recognized Nan and Company Properties as one of the best places to work in Houston.

Laura Arce is Senior Vice President for Economic Initiatives at UnidosUS. Laura is responsible for leading the “Economic Trajectory Big Bet”, a multi-year initiative to build Latino wealth by reshaping the homeownership landscape. Prior to joining UnidosUS, Laura was Senior Vice President for Public Policy for Wells Fargo & Co. where she was responsible for public policy analysis and engagement on consumer banking, consumer lending, and community reinvestment, among other high-impact public policies.

Gerardo "Jerry" Ascencio is the former chairman of the NAHREP Foundation, dba Hispanic Wealth Project, and broker-owner of San Fernando Realty. A 30-year veteran of real estate, he is also the 2012 President of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP®). A sought-out public speaker, motivator and trainer, Mr. Ascencio is widely recognized as one of the most charismatic speakers in the real estate industry today. A native of Michoacán, Mexico, Mr. Ascencio's own immigrant experience has made him an impassioned advocate for homeownership and economic empowerment for all Americans.

Mr. Auld is President and Chief Executive Officer of D. R. Horton, Inc. He joined D. R. Horton in 1988 as Division President of the company's Orlando division. In 2005, he was promoted to East Region President for the company until he was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in November 2013. In October 2014, he was named President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining D. R. Horton, Mr. Auld worked for General Dynamics as a cost analyst and Texas American Bank as a corporate tax accountant and commercial real estate lender.

Dale Baker is the President of Home Lending at KeyBank, overseeing a $40B real estate secured residential servicing portfolio. He focuses on transforming the business through digital initiatives, utilizing cutting-edge technology to enhance the home financing experience. With 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Baker previously held leadership positions at Chase Bank and HSBC before joining Key in 2017. He is also a member of Key's Executive Council and various risk and compliance committees – highly dedicated to inclusive lending and leading multiple home lending programs to assist clients at any stage of their financial journey.

Cerita Battles is the Managing Director, Head of Community & Affordable Lending at JPMorgan Chase. She has 34 years of experience in the financial industry with 26 years specifically dedicated to mortgage. As the head of Community & Affordable Lending, she is responsible for building, implementing and ensuring the execution of the company's strategic plan to enable and increase sustainable homeownership among low-to-moderate income consumers and communities, the full economic spectrum of minority consumers and communities, as well as active duty servicemembers and veterans across the United States.

Monica Betancourt, Senior VP at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty, is a well-connected Miami Realtor. Her Diamond Level Chairman’s Club status places her in the top ½ of 1% in national home sales. She's a Top 100 Latino Agent by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and a Top 20 Miami Realtor on PropertySpark. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with experience across Central & South America, Monica grasps clients' cultural nuances and understands diverse lifestyle preferences, crafting personalized experiences. Committed as a Forever Agent, Betancourt offers integrity and artisanal service from first contact through closing and beyond, making her a standout professional.

Elena Bluntzer shifted from international private banking to real estate in 1986, seizing opportunities in Miami's booming market. Now, with 37 years in the industry, she leads the Bluntzer Group at ONE Sotheby's International Realty. Elena excels in high-end markets, notably Fisher Island, where she's the top female agent at ONE Sotheby's and ranks 86th among the nation's top 250 Latino agents. Her secret lies in complete immersion in the Fisher Island market, owning property there, and even joining the tennis team. Elena's continuous coaching, unwavering dedication to customer service, and active involvement in the non-profit Casa Familia make her a respected figure in real estate.

Mark Borysiewicz, Senior VP of Business Development for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, oversees franchise network expansion in the Caribbean and domestically. His career began in a global franchise brand, where he quickly gained expertise. From there, Borysiewicz joined Prudential Real Estate affiliates in 2002, which later became Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. With 30+ years of experience, Borysiewicz has completed 200+ transactions involving brokerage conversions, mergers, acquisitions, and office expansions, building the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network through quality affiliations, emphasizing long-term strategic thinking and core values.

Contessa Brewer is a correspondent and substitute anchor for CNBC appearing throughout Business Day as well as the network's 7 PM ET newscast "The News with Shepard Smith." She covers major news stories for CNBC including presidential elections, hurricanes, the coronavirus pandemic and trade wars. Her specialty coverage areas are casinos, the gaming industry, and the insurance industry. Brewer joined the network in 2017 and is based at CNBC Global Headquarters.

Tatiana Busch is a sales associate with RE/MAX Gateway serving Virginia, Maryland, and DC. She came to the USA in 2001 to start a new life, all while learning a new language and culture with her family. Leveraging her experience as a successful business owner most of her life, and with 16 years in the real estate field, she is known for excellent customer service, consistent communication, strong attention to detail, personal touches, and being a skilled negotiator with her client’s best interest at heart. Tatiana Busch is currently Chapter President of NAHREP Northern VA, where she’s served since 2017.

Sean Callagy is Chief Visionary Officer and Co-Founder of Unblinded and Founder and President of Callagy Law, a law firm he built and sold still in his twenties. Callagy has achieved 2 Top 100 National Jury Verdicts, collected over half a billion dollars for healthcare clients, and broke sales records as an international speaker for companies like T-Mobile and Disney. Callagy's philanthropic efforts include raising over 10 million dollars for charity and founding the Callagy Christian Foundation. Through his work, Callagy empowers professionals and entrepreneurs to achieve financial abundance, time freedom, and personal growth.

As a commercial real estate professional, Michael Carter is experienced in negotiating transactions as an entrepreneur, developer, investor, broker, landlord, and tenant and sales manager. He is President & Broker/Owner of Realty ONE Group, Forward Living. Recognized for his creative deal structuring and expert negotiating, he's negotiated and closed complex transactions totaling hundreds of millions of dollars with clients such as Target, Kohls, Safeway, CVS, and the GSA. He has managed more than $100 million in commercial development projects, primarily Class A retail centers, and created successful businesses in many industries.

Joe Castillo is a second generation REALTOR® following in the footsteps of Maria and Jose Castillo, co-founders of Mi Casa Real Estate, Inc. He grew up in the business that he now loves, talking real estate at the kitchen table and spending many summers at the office helping out. Mr. Castillo obtained his real estate license at the age of 21 while continuing his studies, graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Tai Christensen is the Co-Founder and President of Arrive Home, a national affordable housing program. She helps underserved communities access homeownership through Down Payment Assistance and alternative credit solutions. Tai hosts the California Mortgage Bankers Association's podcast on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, chairs the American Mortgage Diversity Council, and serves on the board of Axis Lift 360. With 20+ years in the mortgage industry, Tai, a Brigham Young University alum, focuses on empowering underserved communities.

Cristy Clavijo-Kish is an entrepreneur in Latinx news distribution, digital marketing, and influencer industries, boasting over 20 years of experience. She founded Talento Unlimited in 2019, managing bilingual talent, event sponsorship, and digital campaigns, including NY Latino Film Festival and Miami's Entre Mujeres LIVE! Her brainchild, Los Tweens & Teens, a Gen Z-focused bilingual media firm, thrives, aiding multicultural families. A Cuban-American from New Jersey, her past roles encompass co-founding Hispanicize, leading PR Newswire's Multicultural Markets division, and co-founding Hispanic PR Wire, LatinClips, Hispanic Digital Network, while also aiding Porter Novelli's Hispanic marketing.

Gerardo Contreras, a Monterrey native with a degree in Electronic Engineering and Communications, has had a successful career for over two decades. With a high entrepreneurial drive, he established offices in Monterrey in 2005 and San Pedro in 2007, earning him awards as the National President of CENTURY 21 Mexico Broker Council. He has held various leadership roles, including Managing Partner at KW Regio and KW San Pedro, President of AAMPI Monterrey Section, and Regional Director of KW Mexico. In 2019, he became CEO of CENTURY 21 Mexico and South America, overseeing a vast network that today consists of 623 offices and over 11,000 professionals.

Geoff Cooper is Vice President - Product Development at Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, where he leads a team responsible for the development and deployment of strategies in flow and bulk mortgage insurance, premium plan development, credit risk transfer and other structured solutions, non-GSE strategies and affordable homeownership. He currently serves on the Milwaukee-based CDFI Board of Northwest Side Community Development Corporation; is a member of the national Mortgage Bankers Association's Advisory Council on Affordable Homeownership; and a member of the Program Committee of the Community Development Alliance, which leads the City of Milwaukee's Collective Affordable Housing Plan.

At 23, Barbara Corcoran borrowed $1,000 and quit her job as a waitress to start a tiny real estate company that would make her one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country. Over the next 25 years, Corcoran would parlay that $1,000 loan into a $5 billion real estate business, building the largest and best-known brand in the business. Corcoran is a best-selling author and podcast host, as well as a motivational and inspirational speaker. Corcoran has been an investor/Shark for the past fourteen seasons on ABC's Emmy award-winning show, Shark Tank, investing in over 80 businesses.

Cristian Correa serves as the Senior Vice President of National Diversity Lending at Newrez | Caliber. He is dedicated to ensuring that Newrez | Caliber offers responsible lending solutions, promotes sustainable homeownership, and expands access to credit for all borrowers. In his role, Mr. Correa actively contributes to the development and execution of strategies aimed at meeting affordable lending and community outreach goals. With over 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry, he brings a wealth of expertise to his position. Mr. Correa joined Newrez | Caliber in 2017 and has held leadership positions in sales origination, production, and various areas focusing on multicultural and low-to-moderate-income segments.

Victor Cruz, a Carolina, Puerto Rico native, holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and is certified as a Shortsale and Property Administrator, as well as a Realtor. Cruz has been recognized as a NAHREP Top 250 Winner for three consecutive years, the first Puerto Rican to achieve this honor and to have his story highlighted in the NAHREP Top 250 Awards 2022. He actively contributes to the real estate community as a member of the NAHREP Puerto Rico Chapter Board. Cruz's expertise lies in private listings, sales, rentals, and residential/commercial properties as an administrator, while also serving as a HUD Local Listing Broker.

Kathy Cummings leads the Strategic Relationship teams for Bank of America Neighborhood and Community Lending organization. Her responsibilities also include overseeing the Fair Lending and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) strategy for home loans ensuring planning and execution align to regulatory requirements. Cummings supports Bank of America's $15B Community Homeownership Commitment designed to assist 60,000 families achieve the goal of sustainable homeownership as a responsible lender. Additionally, she is responsible for managing strategic relationships working with our real estate trade organizations and the Bank of America Connect to Own fee for service homebuyer education program

Adriana de Moura is best known as the "Brazilian bombshell" on Bravo's hit television show The Real Housewives of Miami. However, Adriana's true passion is her career as an art dealer. From a very tender age, Adriana was introduced to art by her grandmother who was a painter. After being influenced by her grandmothers artwork, the Brazilian native pursued her education to study abroad in Paris at the Sorbonne University, studying French art and Civilization. Additionally, she studied Italian art in Florence and Rome in Italy.

Guillermo Will DeJesus, CPA, CIA, CISA, CEO is the Founder & CEO of TaxTerminal.com and Rapido Tax Inc. He operates three Tax Centers in New York City and is the developer of the tax technology withinTaxTerminal.com. Will has extensive experience working with technology and social media startups as well as fintech startups alike as CFO, investor and Financial Controller. Will is also the Co-Founder and CFO of negozee, a social network for Latino professionals and entrepreneurs.

Michael DeVito is Chief Executive Officer of Freddie Mac, one of the largest providers of mortgage financing in the United States. He is also a member of the company's Board of Directors. Mr. DeVito brings more than 30 years of experience in the mortgage and financial services industry to Freddie Mac. He spent more than 23 years at Wells Fargo and Company, rising to the level of Executive Vice President, Head of Home Lending, where he was responsible for all aspects of the company's mortgage and home equity business. At Wells Fargo, DeVito worked across Home Lending, including in loan origination, servicing, portfolio management, secondary marketing and risk.

As the Neighborhood & Community Lending Production Manager supporting the Southern California Region, Rose Ann Djelmane is responsible for ensuring Multicultural Census Tract and Community Reinvestment Act goals are met by working with Regional teams, Market Leaders and Loan Officers.

Camilo Escalante serves as Guaranteed Rate's Executive Director of Diverse Segments, leading the company as it expands its service and marketing in diverse communities nationwide. A Chicago native, Mr. Escalante also volunteers as the Midwest Government Affairs Director of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, coordinating lobbying efforts that drive immigration, access to credit and housing policy. Additionally, Camilo Escalante is the founder of Escala Capital, a private equity firm that focuses on development projects that stimulate housing accessibility, business growth and wealth creation across the country.

As the Hispanic Segment Lead for Wells Fargo Home Lending, Valeria L. Esparza-Chavez partners across the business, and with external stakeholders, advocacy groups, and industry trade associations to increase lending opportunities to Hispanic families across all income segments. In her role, Ms. Esparza-Chavez is responsible for developing and executing strategy focused on the Hispanic consumer demographic consistent with Wells Fargo strategy and goals. Ms. Esparza-Chavez has spent most of her 16-year financial services career in consumer lending and has deep experience in developing and executing strategies to meet the needs of ethnically diverse families.

Fat Joe is a Grammy-nominated recording artist, actor, entrepreneur, philanthropist and media personality from the Bronx, New York. With an acclaimed career that has spanned four decades, Joe has cemented his legacy as a hip-hop heavyweight. Joe is also the owner and founder of three UP NYC stores in New York City, which sell exclusive sneakers and sports apparel from brands such as Jordan and Nike. He has shone in acting roles, most notably starring alongside Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish in Night School as well as in Spike Lee's She's Gotta Have It Netflix series.

Kristy Fercho is head of Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion (DSRI) and is responsible for integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) into every aspect of the company's business, delivering marketplace and workplace outcomes by developing products and services to serve customers from underserved communities and driving DE&I initiatives companywide. In this capacity, Ms. Fercho serves on the Wells Fargo Operating Committee. Kristy joined Wells Fargo in 2020 as head of Wells Fargo Home Lending.

Francisco "Paco" Fernández is the broker owner of Best Properties Realty Group. He is a REALTOR® with a MARCOM's degree in Business Administration and over 8 years of experience in the real estate industry in Puerto Rico. As the President of the Caguas Board of REALTORS in 2016, Francisco led his team to achieve Board of the Year. He served as the 2020 President of NAHREP Puerto Rico, demonstrating his dedication and commitment to this profession. He has since ranked in the NAHREP Top 250 Latino Real Estate Agents.

Nuno Francisco has served as Citi's East Region's Group Manager since November of 2021. In this role, Mr. Francisco is responsible for the bank's Business Banking segment within the markets and communities in the east region of the U.S., including teams in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, and Florida. Prior to his current responsibilities he was Citi's Business Banking Division Manager in NYC and NJ.

Jona Gamboa is a Team Lead and REALTOR®️ with the Gamboa Real Estate Group serving homebuyers and sellers as they navigate the real estate market. As a 16-year veteran of the housing industry, Jona is passionate about serving his clients transactional needs, as well as empowering them through educational mentorship programs, radio talk shows and classroom instruction. As a real estate investor and developer, Jona brings a wealth of knowledge to his clients and colleagues that go far beyond the residential transaction, including market analysis, investment vehicles, and personal finance.

Born and raised in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, Hipolito Garcia has been in the mortgage banking industry for 20 years. As of January 2018, Mr. Garcia has been with Caliber Home Loans as an Area Manager. Mr. Garcia was the 2019 President for NAHREP Chicago (2019 Chapter of the Year) and 2019 - 2020 board director with the Chicago Association of Realtors. He is currently one of NAHREP's Midwest Regional Corporate Governors, a NAHREP Coach, and a NAHREP 10 Certified Speaker. He is a board director with the Illinois Mortgage Bankers Association and Chair for the Affordable Lending Committee.

Tomas Garcia is the Co-Founder & CEO of Arx. Before co-founding the company, Garcia worked in the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs on a variety of M&A and capital-raise transactions. He received his JD/MBA from the University of Chicago and his B.S. in Quantitative Economics and International Relations from Tufts University, and is also a licensed attorney in the State of California.

Abel Gilbert's fascination with real estate has led him through various aspects of the business starting from real estate agent to now leader of Miami's #1 Team owned brokerage. Throughout his career Abel and his team have helped thousands of families buy and sell homes. He has also single handedly purchased and sold 100+ fix and flip opportunities, handled the acquisition and disposition of over 30 million dollars in non-performing loans, and has also successfully developed construction projects.

Born in 1979 in England, Christopher Carlos Gill is a globetrotting entrepreneur. After studying International Business and Hotel Administration, he ventured into the vacation club industry. In 2002, he founded "Orangestate," a real estate company guiding foreign clients in Spain. Shifting to Mexico's resort and real estate sector, he now serves as CCO for SIMCA Developments, overseeing numerous successful projects in the Riviera Maya. Additionally, Gill is Managing Director for Nest Seekers International and CEO of RefNWin App, an AI-powered platform connecting global real estate opportunities for brokers and buyers alike, simplifying transactions with transparency and efficacy.

Norma Guerrero-Cowes has been a high-performing Mortgage Loan Originator with DHI Mortgage for over 26 years, with a focus on affordable lending and first-time homebuyers. Her favorite part is playing a role in building communities and improving people’s lives. In addition to being a proud member of NAHREP, Norma is a member of the National Association of Minority Mortgage Brokers of America (NAMMBA). Her job performance has earned her a spot in DHI Mortgage’s President’s Club, NAMMBA’s Top 100, and NAHREP’s Top 250. Norma has been married to her college sweetheart for 23 years, and they share one son.

Nicolas Guillen is a self-starter, business strategist, and entrepreneur with more than 14 years of experience in Financial Services and Technology. Prior to Co-Founding BaseCap, Nick Guillen built teams to develop algorithms and implement innovative risk management technology solutions at Morgan Stanley, and other clients. Mr. Guillen started his career analyzing investment portfolios at UBS Financial Services. He has worked in several tech entrepreneurial projects, and served as the CFO of a sanitation and a solar energy company in East Africa. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Luis Hernandez is committed to changing families' lives by helping provide a path to homeownership. Purchasing a home is one of a family's most significant purchases in their lives. Mr. Hernandez started his mortgage career in 1999 as a loan officer and has been helping families realize the dream of homeownership since then. He graduated from Lewis University and has been working as a sales professional since. He currently is a producing Branch Manager in Oak Brook, IL. Luis works with a fantastic team of professionals who share his core values.

Patrick Howard serves as the EVP of Capital Markets and Finance for Applied Residential, Inc. He's the Managing Director of its Trio subsidiaries, shaping platforms like Link Home Loan, Link Convertible Lease, and OwnOption Mortgage. With 30+ years in real estate, project financing, and entrepreneurship, he's renowned for innovative financing in complex deals. A versatile professional, Howard has been an investment banker, advisor, developer, and entrepreneur. He's held various licenses including FINRA, MSRB, real estate, and private pilot. Former collegiate athlete and student body president, he's built a reputation for innovation.

Brian Hurley is the president and co-owner of Gradus Management, Inc., a San Diego-based management firm focused on operating affiliated business entities for residential real estate brokerages. Collectively, Gradus-managed companies (including escrow and title) close one out of every seven residential sale transactions in San Diego County. Prior to co-founding Gradus Management, Hurley founded a residential real estate investment fund that acquired and managed an REO-to-rental portfolio. During the nation’s housing crisis, Hurley served as the president of New Vista Asset Management, a leading REO asset management firm, and previously served as the president of Stewart Title of California, the fourth largest title insurance company in the US.

Caroline Isern is responsible for building, implementing and ensuring the execution of New American Funding's strategic plan and goals to increase and enable homeownership in our local communities across the U.S. In this capacity, through the implementation of creative solutions like the Buyer Accepted Program, New American Funding is laser-focused in helping our clients overcome some of the biggest barriers to homeownership, bridging the inventory gap by providing tools to our real estate partners to win in today's market.

Eric Jacobs is President of three business units for Realogy Title Group operating in South Florida, New York and Chicago. He joined Realogy in 2017 upon the acquisition of his title company in 2017. Mr. Jacobs is also a licensed Florida attorney with extensive experience in real estate transactions, business transactions and real estate related litigation having tried cases in State and Federal Courts in Florida. He is also a licensed real estate broker and formerly was the owner of a real estate brokerage in South Florida.

Angie Javier has built a reputation as a premier real estate marketing strategist and advisor in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. From highly-effective sales tactics to traditional and digital marketing best practices, she has amassed a wealth of knowledge that she now shares as part of the extensive Realtor.com curriculum. Ms. Javier presents to real estate professionals nationwide, sharing her insights and expertise on three critical keys to successful marketing: lead generation and conversion, increased online reputation and exposure, and the building of a strong personal brand.

Kuba Jewgieniew is the CEO And Founder of Realty ONE Group, one of the fastest-growing franchisors in the real estate industry. He's an entrepreneur with a passion for innovation, disruption and most importantly, fun. See why he's been recognized for his innovative thinking and leadership at www.kubajewgieniew.com.

Arlyn Kalinski, a visionary leader with nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, is driving transformative change in the mortgage sector. As the SVP of Fair & Equitable Lending Strategies at Guaranteed Rate, she champions financial inclusion through initiatives like the Language Access Program. This program empowers Limited English Proficiency consumers to make informed financial decisions in their preferred language. Kalinski's commitment to diversity and representation extends to underserved communities, promoting access to credit and economic mobility. Her outstanding contributions earned her the 2023 HousingWire's Women of Influence Award, a prestigious recognition in the housing industry.

Glenn Kelman is the CEO of Redfin. Prior to joining Redfin, he was a co-founder of Plumtree Software, a Sequoia-backed, publicly traded company that created the enterprise portal software market. In his seven years at Plumtree, Kelman at different times led engineering, marketing, product management, and business development; he also was responsible for financing and general operations in Plumtree's early days. Prior to starting Plumtree, Kelman worked as one of the first employees at Stanford Technology Group, a Sequoia-backed start-up acquired by IBM.

Shawn holds degrees from Ricks College and Brigham Young University in English and Communications with a Business Emphasis. He has worked for 18 years in the real estate and finance industry, but his passion has always been teaching. He considers the ability to dynamically interact from C-Level to entry-level employees as his greatest asset, and he is grateful to have worked alongside mortgage and real estate professionals all over the country.

With over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry, Amy Lessinger has, throughout her career, created transformational and dynamic cultures that deliver top results and productivity. Formerly President & Co-Owner of RE/MAX Realty Affiliates in Reno, NV, Lessinger demonstrated a relentless commitment to results-driven, strategic leadership. Currently, Lessinger is Senior Vice President, Region Development at RE/MAX, actively overseeing recruiting, retention, franchise development, and franchise sales as well as providing leadership guidance directly to RE/MAX affiliates.

Chris Lim, President of Christie's International Real Estate, brings over 20 years of California real estate expertise. As a licensed agent, he offers comprehensive brokerage and marketing services for residential clients, developers, and university endowments in Northern California. Lim's unique strength lies in his ability to foster positive relationships with all parties involved—buyers, sellers, landlords, and developers—while addressing their specific needs. Previously, he founded and presided over Climb Real Estate, which quickly became San Francisco's fastest-growing boutique brokerage firm, generating $1.2 billion in annual sales with over 300 agents across seven locations. Lim, a philanthropist, also serves on the boards of Horizons Foundation and the San Francisco Art Institute.

Lexi Lopez, a Senior Manager at Century 21 Real Estate, assists brokers and agents in tracking transactions and managing customer satisfaction. Lopez is a NAHREP 10 Certified Trainer and Ambassador, and serves as a Board member for Cornerstone Family Programs and Morristown Neighborhood House. Additionally, Lopez is a contributing author to the bestselling Hispanic Stars Rising books. With over two decades of experience, she prioritizes being a positive role model for her four daughters and in her community, church, and workplace.

As a determined young Latina, Ivelisse López Concepción experienced racism and prejudice in her early Brooklyn life, driving her to break generational struggles. Today, Ivelisse is a highly accomplished Real Estate Broker with 30 years of experience. She's also a certified life and business coach, financial consultant, and philanthropist. She's held leadership roles in prestigious associations, including the National Association of REALTORS and the Puerto Rico Association of REALTORS. Ivelisse's ultimate mission is to empower her Latino community through her dedication to excellence in real estate, financial education, and coaching. Through her company, R.L. Realty Plus, she strives to change lives and make a lasting difference.

Daisy Lopez-Cid is the 2018 President for the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Premier Properties in Kissimmee, Florida. Originally from Brooklyn with a background in immigration law, Ms. Lopez-Cid has been a force in Central Florida real estate for the past 17 years. Entering the real estate market in 2001, she is now owner of what is ranked as the most successful RE/MAX franchise in Osceola County since 2013. Ms. Lopez-Cid has served on the NAHREP National Board of Directors since 2013, and is a Past President of NAHREP Central Florida.

Laura Moreno Lucas, Partner, leverages her exceptional network and expertise to support the firm's deal flow and outreach strategy. She is the Founder & CEO of Pandocap which provides strategic advisory and media services that help early and growth-stage companies access capital markets, implement and measure ESG strategies and accelerate towards an initial public offering (IPO). Prior to Pandocap, Laura was a Managing Director at Nasdaq where she led the IPOs of Beyond Meat, Lyft, The RealReal, Airbnb and other high-profile listings. Laura is also a successful Latina entrepreneur having found and exited Ladada, one of the first fashion subscription startups to feature emerging new designers. Laura is an advisor to 500 Startups, Fulcrum Ventures and a board member of California Lutheran University and Pangea Legal.

Leticia Vu is an esteemed real estate professional in Houston, Texas. With over 26 years of finance and real estate experience, Ms. Vu is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Metropolitan where she helps people reach the ultimate dream of homeownership. Ms. Vu has spent the past two decades dedicated to helping, coaching, motivating, and inspiring others. She has been heavily involved in the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and served as 2014 President of NAHREP Houston. She is presently a National Coach and helps chapters build success by providing value to their members and sponsors.

With over 19 years of expertise in sale, business development, process modeling, marketing, and training, Viviana Martinez brings a wealth of experience across diverse industries, including real estate, banking, and fintech. Her ability to seamlessly navigate between English and Spanish makes her an invaluable asset, empowering her to effectively engage with a broader range of clients and stakeholders. Her fluency in both languages ensures a smooth communication and fosters stronger connections in a global marketplace. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Viviana Martinez is a proud Mexican who embraces her heritage and brings a unique perspective to the New American Funding team.

Tony Martinez is the Co-Founder and CEO of negozee, a social network for Latino professionals and entrepreneurs. In 2004, Mr. Martinez received a full-ride scholarship to Berkeley where he studied Engineering and joined the Latino fraternity Gamma Zeta Alpha. Upon graduation, he joined Latino Tax Pros as VP of Business Development where he helped grow the organization to 10,000 members nationwide. Mr. Martinez's current startup, negozee, aims to connect Latino professionals and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Lenny McNeill is currently EVP National Managing Director – Strategic Markets and Consumer Lending at U.S. Bank Home Mortgage. McNeill is a 30-year veteran of the mortgage industry holding several key senior leadership roles during his tenure. Including his current role Lenny's resume consist of the following positions: Senior Vice President and Managing Director, National Strategic Markets; Head of Mortgage Retail Lending & Consumer Direct; Area, Divisional, & Regional Sales Manager; National Director of Multicultural Initiatives & Affordable Lending, and National Director of Strategic Alliances for Caliber Home Loans, Washington Mutual, Bank of America, and Chase. He has served on the Board of Directors or Corporate Board of Governors for NAHREP, NAREB, AREAA, and LANHS.

Chris Medellin is a self-made Mexican-American mentor, speaker, podcaster and thought leader born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He is an award-winning producing leader and coach in the lending space, recognized nationally within and beyond his industry. After leading the most profitable team at the nationally-recognized mortgage company loanDepot in 2020 and 2021, Mr. Medellin was promoted to Regional Vice President in 2022. Today, he leads and mentors multiple teams throughout the southwest United States, including Hawaii. He has achieved Chairman's Elite each year since 2015, an award afforded the top performing leaders in the company.

Jeff Méndez's 13-year tenure at Vivint saw him play a pivotal role in sales leadership, driving revenue growth from $30M to $1B+. He led Studio 168 Productions' successful transition from private to public and secured a significant investment from Blackstone. As the General Partner and Founder of Roots Management Group, Méndez provided affordable housing to 50,000+ families, deploying over $3 billion across 240 MH communities in 25 states. He also co-founded Green Light Restaurant Group, investing in exceptional multi-unit franchise concepts and select full-service restaurants. As an active early-stage & growth investor, Méndez advised and invested in various successful operating companies.

As a real estate industry leader with over 18 years of experience, Carmen is passionate about connecting industry professionals with resources and tools to help them growth their business and increase homeownership rates for underserved communities. Carmen's commitment to the housing and affordable lending industry stems from her experience in the real estate industry, working directly with consumers, leading a national non-for-profit trade organization, influencing industry professionals, and building a network of individuals that are passionate about housing and finance issue.

As UWM's Vice President of National Accounts, Bryan Miller plays a significant role in deepening relationships with the company's top clients. His own success as one of UWM's all-time top-producing Account Executives has made him a natural liaison for the part, allowing him to use his broad mortgage knowledge to provide personal client support whenever needed. Mr. Miller also leverages his leadership skills internally to coach UWM Account Executives on growing their clients' businesses and sharing best practices to help them solidify their connections and stay competitive.

Bernie Miller, Co-founder and Partner at the Federal Savings Bank, is an Army Veteran, a 20-year industry veteran, and has been developing and coaching loan officers since 2003. Mr. Miller was the top producer for several years and originated over $1 billion in volume before transitioning to leadership. Bernie has a passion for people, which is made clear through his coaching program. He also has a passion for NAHREP, as he is a Midwest Regional CBOG Governor, and the NAHREP 10 Certified Trainer of the Year for 2021.

Todd Miller is passionate about helping agents do more deals. Miller was previously CEO of Homing In #1 Real Estate Team in US in 2009 (750 listing sides closed)

Vanessa Montañez is senior vice president and community lending national sales manager at City National Bank. She is responsible for building and implementing strategies to encourage sales growth, as well as managing an external mortgage sales team to expand loan sourcing channels. Dr. Montañez has more than 25 years of experience in residential lending and sales and business development management. Prior to City National, she worked at U.S. Bank, where she served as vice president and national strategic markets and diverse segments manager.

Jorge Montoya is a father, husband, and dad to twins. Mr. Montoya has been in the mortgage industry for over 15 years and is passionate about helping families succeed in homeownership. This passion has led to being recognized as NAHREPS #1 Latino Mortgage Originator in the state of Nevada for the last eight years and Ranked Number 9 in the nation for the 2022 year.

Esai Morales is an award-winning actor and producer. As an American actor of Puerto Rican descent, Morales has solidified his reputation through a series of iconic performances throughout his over four decade career, most recently in the critically acclaimed series Ozark and in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1. Morales is not only a respected actor but also a known advocate for a wide variety of causes. His breakthrough role of Bob Morales in La Bamba contributed to making the film the most commercially successful rock-themed biopic of all time.

Chris Moreno, also known as "Mr. PropTech", loves to invest and support founders in the PropTech and Real Estate space. Mr. Moreno currently serves as the Head of Commercial Real Estate Channel Partnerships at Xeal Energy focused on EV charging. Chris Moreno has invested in 70+ early stage startups, multifamily real estate, and been a part of several proptech focused funds including Scotch Capital and On Deck. Mr. Moreno relocated with his wife and kids to Atlanta from San Francisco. He loves sports (golf, tennis, basketball) the outdoors and working with founders on their startups, Real Estate, and PropTech.

Marisa Moret is Airbnb's Director of Global Affairs, fostering key external relationships with policymakers, communities, and stakeholders. With Airbnb since 2016, she's guided the company through the pandemic, IPO, and global travel leadership. With a 30-year career spanning law, advocacy, and advising, Moret was Chief of Staff to San Francisco's City Attorney and an equity partner at Nossaman law firm. She's an independent Director at Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co., and serves on multiple boards including Latino Community Foundation and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, having earned recognition for leadership from various magazines.

Fjori Narazani seamlessly balances his roles as a fintech expert and dedicated real estate investor. With extensive experience spanning over a decade, he's held licenses as a real estate agent and mortgage loan officer, enhancing his diverse achievements and cultivating profound insights.

Diana Olick is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and CNBC's senior climate and real estate correspondent. She also contributes to NBC News, MSNBC, and more. She joined CNBC in 2002, covering the housing market and real estate, and later expanded her focus to climate change, covering COP26 in 2021. In 2022, she launched the "Clean Start" series. Prior to CNBC, Olick worked at CBS News, covering various significant stories. She holds a B.A. in comparative literature and a master's in journalism from Columbia College and Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, respectively.

David Olivencia is a seasoned global technology executive and author, known for driving tangible business outcomes in various roles, including CEO, board member, and team coach. He co-founded Angeles Investors and previously held senior positions at NTT, Ford, Oracle, Verizon, Softtek, and Accenture. With expertise in technology, strategy, and early-stage investing, he's backed 70+ companies, including three unicorns and ten valued over $100m. Olivencia is a respected speaker on technology disruption, AI, and leadership, addressing prestigious platforms like the U.S. Congress and NASDAQ. He's been honored by Crain's and Hispanic Business Magazine and serves on multiple boards.

Lakeland native Robert Palmer, inspired by his single mother's hard work in the mortgage and real estate field, launched his first mortgage brokerage while still in high school. He persevered through failures to build a thriving empire spanning finance, real estate, marketing, and technology. Since 2007, he's invested over $150 million in various marketing strategies. An author of two books, he oversees successful brands like RP Funding, RP Title and Escrow, Listing Power Tools, HomeValue.com, and even owns the Jacksonville Armada soccer team. His latest venture, lpt Realty, became the fastest-growing brokerage ever, attracting 5,000+ agents in just 18 months.

Leo Pareja entered real estate at 19 years of age and by 28 he was the #1 Keller Williams Agent in the world. During his 15 years selling, Pareja sold close to 4,000 homes. In 2012 he co-founded and continues to co-own Washington Capital Partners, one of the largest private lending companies in the east coast. Today, he is the Chief Strategy Officer of eXp Realty. Pareja served as NAHREP's 2017 National President.

With over 23 years of experience in the San Diego real estate market, Mauricio Perez leads an office of over 100 agents in Chula Vista and has prior experience managing over 330 REALTORS® as broker of record. His team, M Realty Group, has ranked nationally as one of NAHREP's Top 250 Latino Teams for three consecutive years and was recently recognized as Broker of the Year for both of the local REALTOR® Associations in San Diego County.

Luis Perez is a renowned figure in the real estate industry, serving as NAHREP South Florida President, CEO of Truview Inspections, and a licensed General Contractor with 16+ years of experience. He's built Truview into a multi-million-dollar inspection company, covering South Florida, Central Florida, and the treasure coast. As a dynamic CE instructor, Perez helps realtors navigate inspections confidently. He holds various state licenses, offering comprehensive insights, and has gained recognition on social media for providing valuable content and guiding realtors in managing inspections. His commitment to education and pioneering processes has left a lasting impact, empowering realtors and clients in home transactions.

Jose Perez has been a student of the real estate industry since 1984 and began his real estate career in 1994 as a franchise salesperson for CENTURY 21. He worked his way up the ranks at Realogy where his last position was Senior Vice President, Franchise Sales for CENTURY 21, ERA, Coldwell Banker, and Coldwell Banker Commercial. In 2007, Perez launched PCMS Consulting. After a successful 11-year run, he made the decision to focus his attention on leveraging the power of Radian to provide unique value to real estate agents, teams, brokerages, and consumers.

Adriana Perezchica has been working in real estate since 2005, and brings with her a proven sales and closing track record. Clients and real estate professionals alike seek out Ms. Perez because of her commitment to excellence and knowledge of the real estate industry. Her depth of understanding around market trends and impressive negotiation skills quickly propelled her to her status as one of the top producing brokers in the greater Seattle area. Adriana sees every transaction as an opportunity to create a new future for her clients, while protecting their interests above all.

Ana Placencia is the Branch Chief of the Origination & Processing Division at SFHGLD. With 25 years at USDA Rural Development, Placencia brings a wealth of experience. She's been a Finance Analyst in the Quality Assurance and Policy, Analysis, and Communications Branches. As a Single Family Housing Program Director in Texas, Placencia engaged closely with applicants, real estate pros, contractors, lenders, and community leaders. Her leadership thrives on diplomatic collaboration, motivating teams to excel. Leading by example, Placencia's caring approach fosters a supportive environment, and her journey reflects dedication, expertise, and a commitment to nurturing the best in her team.

Peggy Pratt didn't let the pandemic stop her from doing what she loves, selling homes. Pratt, a broker with Century 21 North East, sold the highest-priced piece of real estate in her 24-year career this year: a $1.7 million five-unit building in East Boston. Remarkably, she closed more transactions in 2020 than the previous year. "Real estate has given me the flexibility to be present, involved and set a good example for my children that hard work does pay off," Pratt says.

Crystal Ramirez dedicates herself to real estate and ensuring her clients' happiness, providing a unique and gratifying experience, and understanding the diverse needs of each family. 50% of her clients come from social media, where she showcases her daily life, amassing over 100k followers on Instagram, while the other half comes from referrals and returning clients. Ramirez serves as the Social Media Director for NHREP San Gabriel Valley, using her creativity to foster growth. She values the trust her clients place in her and is devoted to helping families achieve their dream home, particularly in the Latino community.

Olivia Ramos is the founder and CEO of Deepblocks, an artificial intelligence software automating site selection across 100 US cities. Olivia holds a MARCOM's degree in Architecture from Columbia University and a second MARCOM's in Real Estate Development from the University of Miami. She graduated from Singularity University's Global Solutions Program and DARPA's Innovation House.

Ingrid Ripley excels in both public and private sectors, with 37 years of diverse experience in performance management, strategic planning, loan administration, risk management, and financial service markets. Noted for her expertise in implementing multi-million-dollar transformative technology lending platforms, she has managed portfolios exceeding $240 billion. Ripley's career began at the Government National Mortgage Association, followed by roles at the Small Business Administration, where she spearheaded numerous programs and initiatives. Currently, she serves as Executive Director for Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP), overseeing a $114 billion guaranteed portfolio and leading reorganizations in Rural Development and USDA.

Nuria Rivera sits on the National Board of Directors and serves as a chapter coach for NAHREP. She is a millennial entrepreneur and launched a title and escrow company in 2015, Novation Title Insurance Agency, of which she is CEO. Although it is a newer company, Novation Title has received Utah's "Best of State" award for four years in a row since in 2016, which was a very humbling experience for Ms. Rivera and her team. Ms. Rivera came to the United States when she was 11 years old and learned a new language and culture.

Rivera is currently the Broker/Owner of one of the few Latino-owned brokerages in Milwaukee, reThought Real Estate. Originally from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico with Dominican roots, Rivera leverages his cosmopolitan background and personality to propel his award-winning real estate career. Rivera is an implementer of sustainable performance, purposeful leadership, and fostering a culture of opportunity that focuses on duplication, accountability, and executional excellence.

Considered by many as the leading authority on leadership and influence, René Rodriguez is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, leadership advisor, and transformational speaker coach. For the last 27 years, he has been researching and applying behavioral neuroscience to solve some of the toughest challenges in leadership, sales, and change. As an entrepreneur and CEO of multiple companies, Mr. Rodriguez integrates a practical business approach that inspires his audiences to take action. His best-selling book AMPLIFY YOUR INFLUENCE can be found on Amazon and all major retailers.

Sara Rodriguez is the CEO/Owner of Titan Title and a partner at Mendez Rodriguez, PLC. Her practice specializes on all matters related to residential and commercial real estate transactions. She served as 2016 President of NAHREP Northern Virginia and has served on the chapter's board of directors since 2013 in various leadership roles. Since 2005, Mrs. Rodriguez has taught DPOR approved courses through various state-licensed schools in both English and Spanish. She also teaches Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for the National Business Institute in Virginia.

Eva Angelina Romero is the current Broker/Owner of Century 21 Capital Properties and co-owner of Solace Oral Surgery and SOMOSS. She has devoted most of her life to service through leadership in her profession and in her community as an educator, mentor and philanthropist. Ms. Romero was the founding president of the NAHREP Nashville Chapter. She currently serves as Vice President of the Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce, the current president of the Huntington's Disease of America Tennessee Chapter, and on the boards for Hispanic Leaders and Achievers, Entrepreneur Latina Leaders of America, and The American Red Cross.

Manny Ruiz, Co-Founder & Chief Content Officer of Nuestro Stories, leads the Latino heritage media and AdTech platform celebrating Hispanic culture. With 28+ years in U.S. Hispanic media, he oversees Nuestro Studios, producing premium content. A pioneer in Hispanic social media marketing, he sold Hispanicize in 2022, marking his third media company exit. Manny founded Hispanic PR Wire, later sold to UBM. He's received accolades like the Pulitzer Prize in 1992, Miami's keys, Miami Dade College Hall of Fame membership, PR industry awards, and more.

Jim Saccacio is CEO and Co-Founder of FairClose. He has over 25 years of experience launching and scaling PropTech startups including 2 exits as Founder/CEO at RealtyTrac, which grew from $0-50M in seven years. As Co-founder/President at InvestSoCal, he managed over 70 real estate transactions including 20 flips and 30 wholesale transactions from 2021-2022.

For the past 20 years, Wilson Santiago Soler has been working in executive sales, non-profit and marketing strategy roles that support minorities with different types of financing. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Wilson has degrees in Marketing, Human Resources, and a minor in Development of New Businesses from the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez Campus. In 2018 Wilson created the first multicultural role inside the Quicken Loans/Rocket Mortgage marketing team. Since then, he has been leading the Hispanic marketing strategy creating diverse, inclusive, and culturally relevant messaging for the Hispanic audience.

Terri Santiago-Parker, a seasoned CrossCountry Mortgage Divisional Vice President, boasts 25+ years in wholesale and retail lending. In Philadelphia, she ranked #12 among Top 250 Latino Mortgage Originators nationwide, and #1 in the Northeast by NAHREP in 2023. Her 2022 funding surpassed $85 million, with 350+ units, and her career reflects 6000+ units and $1 billion funded. A decade-long Rotary International member, Terri founded TMI, a coaching company mentoring real estate and mortgage pros. A Latina business leader, mother of 3, and grandmother of 2, she ardently champions Hispanic homeownership, striving to empower more families for sustainable dwelling.

Julia Savage, an Executive Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, specializes in advising high-level executives, entrepreneurs, and multi-generational families on complex wealth management. She excels in building trust with clients, guiding them through life events, and tailoring services like investments and legacy planning using her 20 years of experience and J.P. Morgan's resources. Julia's consultative style simplifies intricate strategies for tax efficiency, connecting well with the next generation while prioritizing clients' best interests. Bilingual and committed to community support, she resides in Morristown, New Jersey, with her husband and two children, fostering diversity and a love for Hispanic-Latino culture.

Diana Sifuentes is co-owner of Berkshire Hathaway HSA Action office located in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Born in a small town in Tamaulipas, Sifuentes has flourished without formal marketing education, simply relying on referrals from friends, family, and previous customers. Her inspiring customer service has contributed to her success resulting in recognition as one of the NAHREP Top 250 Latino Agents in the USA. Sifuentes served as Chapter President of NAHREP Texas Plano/Garland from 2019 to 2020 and currently serves as the Regional Co-chair for the NAHREP Mountain Region.

Josué Soto is the CEO of Soto Legacy Group / Powered by eXp Realty. He is a REALTOR® with over 14 years of experience in the Central Florida market. Mr. Soto has been a member of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP®) for many years. Mr. Soto believes in NAHREP and its mission and as a result, he became involved in leadership in 2015. In 2017 he became President of NAHREP Central Florida, leading the chapter to achieve NAHREP's Chapter of the Year.

Debra Spadafora is the current manager of BHHS EWM Realty's I.T. and Commercial Divisions and oversees other Corporate Services, after having joined the company in 2004. Previously, she served as Executive Vice President of the Commercial Realtors Alliance for the Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches, significantly expanding the organization's membership from 400 to over 1,000 real estate professionals. Spadafora continues to serve on various state and national committees, councils, and work groups, contributing to the growth and cooperation within the commercial real estate community.

Dan Spiegel, SVP & Managing Director at Coldwell Banker Commercial, has 30+ years of impressive experience in Commercial Real Estate (CRE). With a master's in urban planning, he's dedicated to the CRE field. Besides leading a renowned brand, he volunteers as a docent at the Chicago Architecture Center. Spiegel's expertise includes sales platform building, recruitment, fostering collaboration, and expanding markets. Fascinated by the blend of technology, business innovation, and real estate, emphasizing the importance of workplace strategy, the built environment, and effective communication, Spiegel strives to establish strong connections and achieve desired business outcomes with people.

Rodrigo is a Financial Advisor at the Morgan Stanley Global Headquarters in Purchase, New York. He belongs to a wealth advisory practice that works with publicly traded companies, philanthropic organizations, and high net worth individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit. Rodrigo joined the team in 2017 and has assisted in several roles. Rodrigo evaluates the various asset allocation techniques when creating client portfolios that are specifically tailored to each client. In addition to portfolio management, he interprets needs and goals of clients to create comprehensive financial plans. He also oversees the maintenance of client accounts and operational support within the practice.

Armando Tam is Senior Vice President, Chapter Development at NAHREP. Tam has extensive experience as a mortgage broker and owned a successful real estate company. He is primarily known for his extensive understanding of All Things Latino. His diverse and eclectic background includes stints in the food scene and Latin music industry as a performer and a producer. Tam's artistic vision led to the creation of NAHREP's weekly webcast, Esta Semana en NAHREP, which enjoyed a 100-episode run.

Tamela Thurman is a director in the Single-Family Equitable Housing division. Mrs. Thurman creates strategies designed to eradicate disparities in homeownership and expand wealth for Black Americans. She addresses and studies the complexities of racial disparity issues within the current housing construct. She explores bold and innovative approaches in concert with industry partners, uses data-based disciplines, and has a singular focus on equitable homeownership for Black Americans.

Solomon D. (Sol) Trujillo is an international business executive who has served as CEO of large-cap global companies in the US, EU, and Asia-Pacific region – including US West, Orange and Telstra, the Australian media-communications company. In each he was a transformative digital pioneer, leading the deployment of broadband, smart devices and digital services – including the mobile internet and ultra-high-speed broadband wireless networks – to stimulate productivity and innovation across all sectors of the economy. Sol has vast corporate governance experience, currently serving on the boards of Western Union and China's Silk Road Technologies (board chair). Trujillo previously served on the boards of Target, Bank of America, WPP PLC (EU-based advertising and PR firm), PepsiCo, EDS, Orange, Telstra and Gannett.

Carolina Valderrama is an affordable lending and housing outreach manager in the SingleFamily Mission and Community Engagement division. She manages the CreditSmart financial capability program nationwide and is responsible for the training and financial education of housing and mortgage industry professionals. She developed the Spanish version of the CreditSmart training for new instructors and educates and certifies Hispanic industry professionals on CreditSmart. In addition, Ms. Valderrama manages relationships with nonprofit housing counseling agencies and develops financial capability initiatives in partnership with these organizations.

Michael Valdes brings more than 25 years of expertise in global real estate and finance to eXp Realty. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President of Global Servicing for all Anywhere Corporation brands, including Better Homes & Gardens, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Corcoran, ERA and Sotheby’s International Realty. In his role, he oversaw the international servicing platform for all Anywhere brands across more than 100 countries and opened more than 70 countries during his tenure.

Alexander Varela is a top-ranking mortgage officer nationally, renowned for their expertise and exceptional track record in the industry. With a strong commitment to client success, Varela puts a special focus on helping individuals and families build generational wealth through strategic homeownership, investments and budgeting. His in-depth knowledge of loan programs, market trends, and financial analysis enables him to provide tailored solutions that align with long-term financial goals. Varela is a trusted advisor who goes above and beyond to ensure clients achieve their dreams of homeownership while laying the foundation for a prosperous future.

Luis Vasquez heads Real Estate Operations in Chicago for Redfin. Before joining Redfin, Vasquez worked as an attorney in Bankruptcy & Real Estate. He received his JD from the University of Valparaiso and his B.A. in Business from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio,Texas, and is also a licensed attorney in the State of Illinois. He serves on Redfin’s Diversity Council and is also Redfin’s Loyalty Field leader.

As Retail Diverse Segments leader, Maria is responsible for leading and executing affordable lending programs across Distributed Retail, working to enable Wells Fargo to do more to help low-moderate income and minority customers achieve sustainable home ownership. Maria drive industry partnerships and works closely with Distributed Retail Managers and other internal partners to ensure Wells Fargo offers the products, service and support needed to drive diverse homeownership.

Sam Vida is the President and Chief Product Officer at Rocket Homes, the real estate partner of Rocket Mortgage. He directs Rocket Homes' growth, focusing on their digital platforms like Rockethomes.com, Rocket Homes app, and Foresalebyowner.com. Rocket Homes aims to simplify home buying and selling, offering an all-in-one platform for searching, obtaining mortgages, and connecting with agents. Sam's visionary leadership drives Rocket Homes' success, fostering passion and innovation within his teams. He's expanded Rocket Homes Partner Agent Network into one of the nation's largest and most exclusive.

Cristina Villanueva is the COO and Co-Founder of negozee, a social network for Latino professionals and entrepreneurs. Ms. Villanueva is also the CEO of Ambas Financial Services, a bilingual tax preparation and accounting business in Milwaukee. She serves as a volunteer mentor with the nonprofit SecureFutures. She earned a degree in business administration from UW-Milwaukee.

Nadja Vital is the affordable lending manager in the Single-Family Client and Community Engagement division of Freddie Mac. Ms. Vital supports the sales and lending partners to develop and execute Seller plans for meeting affordable lending, community outreach and CRA goals. She analyzes market data to identify trends/opportunities and develops strategic direction from market information. A veteran of more than 20 years in the mortgage industry, she joined Freddie Mac in 2015 and has held leadership positions in production and sourcing areas, including multicultural and low- to moderate-income segments.

Montell Watson is the Director of Movement Mortgage's Consumer Direct channel. In his 5 years at Movement, Watson has helped lead and implement several corporate initiatives within the organization including Movement's Consumer Direct channel and the Black American Homeownership initiative. Watson started his career in mortgage originations in 2008 at Wells Fargo and RBC Bank. He then transitioned into an Investment Advisory role at TD Ameritrade where he was a regular Presidents Club member. While at TD Ameritrade, Watson lead sales teams and helped role out strategic technology and business strategies within the region.

With over 19 years of experience, Ted Wroblewski is an accomplished analytics leader who drives data-driven decisions and results. He is currently a leader in Realtor.com's Data Science & Analytics function, where his team provides decision support, business modeling, and strategic analytic support. Prior to that, he spent 5 years at Comcast where he led the development and integration of AI-driven personalization capabilities into the business. The first 13 years of his career were as a Consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, largely focused on integrating Data Science capabilities into clients' operations.