Speakers

Edwin Acevedo began his real estate career in 2008 weeks before the market crash. After 6 years of real estate sales, he began a new venture called Lotus Group Real Estate, which became the fastest-growing independent real estate brokerage in the city of Downey in 2016. Entering 2022, he franchised his brokerage with Century 21 which is now called Century 21 LOTUS. It now consists of over 60 agents that span three different locations and counties, Downey Rancho Cucamonga and Ventura. He was the Chapter President for NAHREP Los Angeles and now serves on the National Board of Directors.

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.

AT Almeida is a top producer REALTOR® in Dallas/Fort Worth. He is Past President for NAHREP Dallas. AT is passionate and focused on advancing sustainable Hispanic homeownership for Latinos in Texas. AT Almeida was born and raised in Brazil and migrated to the U. S. in 2006 as an undocumented immigrant aspiring for the American Dream. As a newcomer to the U. S. with no English experience he relentlessly worked as a dishwasher, pizza delivery, and a professional bullrider to eventually become a top producing REALTOR in the first three years of his real estate career.

Laura Arce is Senior Vice President for Economic Initiatives at UnidosUS. Ms. Arce is the architect and leader of the Home Ownership Means Equity (HOME) Initiative, a multi-year movement to transform the economic trajectory of Latinos through homeownership. 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.

Naa Awaa Tagoe, Deputy Director at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), oversees housing policy, regulatory capital policy, and affordable housing missions for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Additionally, she supports FHFA Director's responsibilities in the Financial Stability Oversight Council. In her prior role as Principal Associate Director in the Office of Capital Policy, she managed credit risk transfer programs and financial eligibility for mortgage-related entities. Naa Awaa, with a background in financial services and management consulting, earned her Electrical Engineering bachelor's and MBA from Stanford University.

George Baker, a seasoned mortgage professional with 33 years of experience, excels in management, operations, loan production, and marketing. His innovative approach and entrepreneurial talents have made him a top loan originator, successful mortgage broker, banker, business owner, and technology entrepreneur. Recognizing deficiencies in the mortgage industry's consumer information delivery model, he developed Talk’uments, the first multilingual digital home loan guide, addressing the growing population of non-native English speakers. This technology, revealed in a recent survey, enhances borrower experience and provides a competitive edge, aligning with demographic shifts and preferences in a changing market.

Jon currently serves as the Vice President of Immigration Policy at the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. He joined the U. S. Chamber of Commerce in June 2014. He works with Chamber member companies to form Chamber policy positions on various issues and he advocates for sensible immigration policies before Congress and the executive branch agencies. Prior to joining the Chamber, Jon served as an advisor to Senator Rubio for 3.5 years. He held a very important position as one of the Senator's lead immigration advisors during the Senator's involvement with the Gang of 8 and his push for comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the 113th Congress.

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.

Marla Bilonick is NALCAB's President & CEO, as well as CEO of Escalera Community Investments, with over 20 years of experience in economic and community development. A seasoned professional in small business development and community-based financial services, she emphasizes Latin America and the US Latino population. Marla, a University of Wisconsin at Madison graduate, previously served as Executive Director of the Latino Economic Development Center in Washington, DC. Appointed by President Biden, she chairs the Department of Treasury's CDFI Fund Community Development Advisory Board, being the first Latina to hold the position in its 27-year history.

Phillip W. Bracken, CMB, is the Vice Chairman of Falcon Capital Advisors, a DC-based consulting firm specializing in strategic advice for the Financial Services Industry, Housing Sector, and Government Agencies. With 19 years of experience, Bracken co-chairs the Consumer/Lender Roundtable, influencing major consumer groups and lenders. He serves on the Corporate Board of Governors of NAHREP, was Chairman of Corporate Partners for the National League of Cities, and founded the America’s Homeowner Alliance. Previously, he held leadership roles at VantageScore Solutions, Radian Guaranty Mortgage Insurance, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Bracken earned his Certified Mortgage Banker Designation in 2009.

Kristin Broadley, a distinguished Fractional Risk Management Executive, is a trailblazer in finance. With a patent holder status and industry leadership, she reshaped risk governance post-2008 crisis. As Chief Innovation Officer at QC Ally and VP at Rocket Mortgage, Kristin excels in innovation and process transformation. Her track record includes launching groundbreaking products, collaborating with stakeholders, and achieving industry recognition. A dynamic leader committed to excellence, innovation, and transformative change in the financial landscape, Kristin is at the forefront of risk management, playing a pivotal role in industry evolution.

Nicole Cabañez, a Skadden Fellow at the National Consumer Law Center, advocates for policies safeguarding immigrants and consumers with limited English proficiency in the financial marketplace. Her work involves enhancing access to low-cost banking and credit services for consumers of diverse immigration statuses, promoting transparency in international remittances, and improving market access for those with limited English proficiency. With a background as an intern in the Enforcement division of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, she holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

Mike Calhoun has over thirty years of experience working to increase sustainable and affordable housing. Mr. Calhoun has worked collaboratively with the nations lenders and others in the mortgage finance system to expand responsible mortgage products for working families. He has served as the President of the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) for the past fifteen years, and CRL helped secure safe mortgage requirements so that there is not a repeat of the 2008 housing crash and recession. Prior to that, he led home lending programs and compliance at Self-Help, one the nations largest community development lenders.

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.

With 25+ years in the mortgage industry and a six-year Marine Corps background, Mario Cerrato is an accomplished professional. As Area Sales Manager for loanDepot in South Florida, he manages $200 million annual production across multiple offices. Mario, an AVP Community Lending, excels in coaching, business development, and integrating mortgage financing into financial planning. Recognized as a top sales manager in Florida, his leadership spans private and retail banking. Mario holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Florida International University.

Rob Chevez is the CEO of the CAZA Group, a real estate team that consistently sells over 100,000,000 in volume and one of the top real estate teams within the Keller Williams Franchise. In 2019, Mr. Chevez was interviewed by Gary Keller in front of 10,000 of his peers on his "ZONE Methodology " where he discussed how he has grown and expanded his business. Mr. Chevez is also the Founder of the GRID Investor Network, the largest real estate investment network in the DC Metro area with 12 local chapters and 13,000 members.

Tai Christensen is the Co-Founder and President for Arrive Home, a national affordable housing program dedicated to helping responsible borrowers in underserved communities become homeowners through their Down Payment Assistance offerings and alternative credit solutions. Ms. Christensen serves as Chair of the American Mortgage Diversity Council (AMDC), and serves as a board member for Axis Lift 360, a non-profit that focuses on providing the mortgage lending industry with a more diverse talent pool of job candidates. She is also Chair of the California MBA DE&I Committee.

Rep. Lou Correa, in his fourth congressional term, proudly represents California’s 46th district, encompassing Santa Ana, Anaheim, Orange, Stanton, and Fullerton. Serving on the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, he holds the position of Ranking Member on the House Border Security Subcommittee. A graduate of California State University, Fullerton, he earned a Juris Doctor and MBA from UCLA. A lifelong Orange County resident, he resides near his childhood neighborhood in Anaheim, advocating for the American Dream and equal opportunities for all to achieve middle-class success.

Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada's first female and Latina U.S. Senator, hails from Las Vegas. Throughout her career, she's championed Nevada families, notably as Attorney General combating Big Banks exploiting homeowners post-financial crisis. Serving on the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee, she advocates for middle-class housing expansion. She secured the initial targeted fund from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, advancing affordable housing construction statewide. Masto's legacy embodies resilience and dedication to equitable housing solutions for Nevadans.

Kathy Cummings, Senior Vice President of External Partnerships at Bank of America Community Banking & Lending, leads the team supporting the $15B Community Homeownership Commitment. Focused on responsible lending, she oversees proprietary offerings like 3% down products and grants for down payment and closing costs. Cummings manages external partnerships, collaborating with Real Estate Trade organizations, NACA, and Bank of America's Connect to Own® program. With 40+ years of mortgage banking experience, she previously held roles at J.P. Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo. Cummings is also active in volunteer work and serves on LISC Charlotte's Local Advisory Committee.

Jaya Dey, principal economist and quantitative analytics director in the Single-Family Mission and Community Engagement division, specializes in housing policy issues, particularly focusing on affordability, access to credit, understanding barriers to minority homeownership, and housing supply. She has contributed to various peer-reviewed academic journal publications, white papers, and research reports. Prior to joining Freddie Mac, she served as a faculty member at Oklahoma State University and Saint Louis University. Dr. Dey holds a doctorate in economics from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in economics from the Indian Statistical Institute, New Delhi.

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.

Laura Eddy is the Vice President of Research and Insights at Realtor.com.  She has been a research professional for more than 25 years, working with industry leaders such as General Mills, UnitedHealth Group, Walmart, Amazon and Zillow.  Ms. Eddy is passionate about turning data and analyses into humanized actionable learnings to help stakeholders drive business results.

Sarah J. Edelman is Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Single Family Housing at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, managing the Federal Housing Administration's insurance-in-force portfolio. Overseeing all aspects of FHA's single-family housing operations, she directs policies, information technology strategy, quality control, lender enforcement, and risk management. Sarah, previously Fannie Mae's senior director for Environmental and Social Impact, has a background in housing policy, having worked at the Center for American Progress and in the office of Senator Sherrod Brown.

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.

Mike Farmer is president of commercial operations at Builders FirstSource. He leads the company’s commercial efforts, including sales and national accounts, marketing, customer segment strategy, and innovation. In this role, Mr. Farmer is responsible for leading the implementation of commercial operations best practices to create sustainable growth and drive innovation through best in class manufacturing capabilities in components, millwork, and READY-FRAME®, while providing an exceptional customer experience.

Peter Fickeisen has been in Mortgage Banking for over 20 years and focuses on maintaining client relationships. Clients are not just one transaction but rather, "clients for life." His goal is get clients pre-approved and position them as strong and qualified buyers when it comes time to making an offer. He specializes in all residential home purchases, first-time buyers, non-warrantable condos, jumbo loans, investment, Non-QM and more.

As the co-founder and impact media maker of Legacy First Partners, Michelle Flowers-Taylor has produced award-winning documentary films that showcase the stories of communities and individuals who are driving long-term prosperity and positive global impact.

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, Founder and CEO of the Gamboa Real Estate Group, is driven by a passion for empowering clients and his community. From facilitating the purchase of first homes and investment properties to leading educational mentorship programs, radio talk shows, virtual classes, and classroom instruction, this seasoned real estate investor and developer imparts extensive knowledge, extending beyond residential transactions to encompass market analysis, investment strategies, and personal finance for the benefit of clients and colleagues.

Hipolito Garcia, Area Manager at Caliber Home Loans since 2018, brings over two decades of real estate finance expertise. A former leader at JP Morgan Chase, he's a Board Director for the Chicago Association of Realtors and the 2019 President of NAHREP Chicago, leading the chapter to be recognized as Chapter of the Year. Hipolito holds key roles in industry associations, showcasing transformative leadership in the mortgage and real estate sectors.

With over 25 years of diverse management experience, Alex Garza excels in real estate, executive training, education, non-profit leadership, and corporate management. Globally recognized for his stellar reputation, he is a sought-after speaker at regional, national, and international conferences. Garza's four-year stint in the Middle East involved consulting for esteemed clients like the Government of Abu Dhabi and the Khalifa Fund. Passionate about community service, he volunteers with organizations like The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and the American Cancer Foundation as a two-time cancer survivor. A UNLV graduate, Garza holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education.

Melody Gonzalez is Executive Director of the White House Hispanic Initiative, an office created by President Joe Biden's Executive Order 14045 and housed under the leadership of Secretary Miguel Cardona at the U. S. Department of Education. The Initiative works to: advance cradle to career education, equity and economic policy goals in partnership with the White House, federal agencies and external stakeholders; lead a 21-member commission that was recently announced; run a federal Interagency work group centered in advancing equity and access to federal resources for the Latino community; and lead in-person and virtual public engagement efforts.

Julia R. Gordon serves as the Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Ms. Gordon was nominated for this role by President Biden and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 12, 2022. Throughout her career, Ms. Gordon has been both a strong advocate for and hands-on practitioner working to achieve equal justice, fairness and equity in housing, and consumer protections. As Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner, Ms. Gordon is responsible for HUD's policies, programs, and operations supporting the nation's homebuyers, homeowners, renters, and communities.

It took Graham Grossman more than 10 years of working in politics before he realized his true passion and calling – real estate. Since 2009, he has had the opportunity to work with first-time homebuyers and investors, as well as engage in multiple partnerships to manage properties and interact with residential tenants. Through this work, Mr. Grossman has come to understand the many factors that drive the diverse and unique housing market of the District.

Sean Grzebin, Managing Director of Consumer Originations & Transformation at Chase Home Lending, oversees all aspects of mortgage origination, including sales, operations, underwriting, and transformation. With over 25 years in the mortgage industry, he previously led Home Lending's Default Servicing and Retail Originations at Chase. Sean served as COO at Avelo Mortgage, a Goldman Sachs subsidiary, managing the loan acquisition platform and co-heading the Residential Asset Management business. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Holy Family University.

Mabél Guzmán, a Cuban immigrant and Chicago REALTOR® for 21 years, specializes in residential real estate, particularly in underserved communities, aiding first-time homebuyers, sellers, and investors. She presides as the 2023 President of the NAHREP DuPage County Chapter and is dedicated to economic development, housing advocacy, and public policy, serving on NAR's Board of Directors since 2009. She testified before Congress, chaired committees, and led national campaigns. Her remarkable contributions to the real estate industry have garnered numerous awards and recognition, and she actively participates in community service initiatives.

Dr. Christopher Herbert, Managing Director of Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies, is a Lecturer in Urban Planning and Design. His research spans U.S. and global housing policy and urban development, emphasizing homeownership dimensions, rental housing dynamics, affordability, racial and socioeconomic segregation, and implications of an aging society. Co-editor of "A Shared Future" and "Homeownership Built to Last," he holds a PhD and Masters in Public Policy from Harvard. Serving on Freddie Mac's Board of Directors, Dr. Herbert combines academic expertise with practical engagement in housing issues.

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.

Oralia Herrera is Broker/Owner of Century 21 TK Realty Inc. She came to this country as a child from La Purisima Durango Mexico with her parents and five siblings. Her family established in Franklin Park where she attended school and has raised three children together with her husband. On her 21st birthday, Ms. Herrera became a real estate agent and made it her profession and passion. With over 25 years of experience in real estate, she has made a mark in her community with professionalism, integrity and care.

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.

Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose, President of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, leads the prominent network of Black real estate professionals. Starting as a project management consultant at Accenture, she later earned a Texas real estate broker license in 2002. Serving as CEO of GEJ Development since 2019, Courtney has secured contracts with major institutions. She's also a director at the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation and has been a NAREB member for over 20 years. Recognized for her achievements, Courtney has been featured in various publications and created the show "Real Estate Today" in 2013.

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.

Mike Kingsella is a Washington, D.C. based housing policy and government affairs executive with twenty years of experience in community development and housing finance, economics, consulting, and investment. He is a published author, speaker and subject matter expert in housing, land-use and real estate.

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. As President of RE/MAX, LLC Amy Lessinger leads all aspects of the RE/MAX network and business globally, driving growth worldwide, overseeing the development and delivery of RE/MAX, LLC support services to franchisees and agents, and setting the vision for the brand.

Imelda Manzo is the Broker Owner of Premier One REALTORS® and has been an active and successful real estate practitioner since 2004. She is a very passionate member of The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP®). Ms. Manzo is a founding director of the NAHREP Temecula Valley Chapter where she had the honor to serve as President in 2019 and currently serves as the Emeritus Director. Ms. Manzo is a proud ambassador for NAHREP's Hispanic Wealth Project and is a regional director for NAHREP' s National Advocacy Committee.

Juan Martinez is the Broker/Owner of Century 21 Martinez & Associates. A leading figure within the real estate industry, Mr. Martinez has been pushing the boundaries of production over the course of his 13 year career. He concluded his successful sales career with over 4,000 closed transactions (with 584 closed transactions in his last year of production), resulting in $16 million in commissions. Since then, Mr. Martinez has laser-focused his efforts towards building an innovative company devoted entirely to training and coaching real estate agents.

With 35+ years in finance, Lenny McNeill, EVP at U.S. Bank Home Mortgage, leads teams in advanced market analytics, boosting national affordable homeownership and fostering long-term growth. Recognized as one of the Most Influential 100 African American Executives, Lenny chairs NAHREP Corporate Board of Governors and contributes to advisory boards for AREAA, NAREB, and VAREP. He received the DEI Leadership Award from the MBA and actively serves on multiple industry boards. A McKinsey Black Executive Leadership program graduate, Lenny is also a Global Ethics Ambassador for U.S. Bank, known for his inspirational public speaking.

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.

Mike Miedler is President & CEO, Century 21. He believes the emotional connection a buyer has with their home and the memories they make while living there is what makes homeownership so special. Named CENTURY 21 Real Estate's president and chief executive officer in January 2019, he is a leader in residential and commercial real estate franchising, brokerage, and management. A 20-year plus veteran with the CENTURY 21 brand, Miedler has served in numerous positions throughout the company including Chief Growth Officer and Senior Vice President of Franchise Sales.

Mihai was named General Counsel of Realty ONE Group International in May 2015 and oversees all of its national and international Legal Affairs related to Franchising, intellectual property, vendor contracts, and litigation. Prior to Realty ONE, Mihai served as a partner with Lynberg & Watkins, APC in Orange County California where his practice areas included public entity defense and general civil defense litigation. He has experience in all aspects of civil litigation including trial and appeals. Mihai is a Member in good standing of the California State Bar and holds a California Broker’s license.

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.

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.

Elizabeth Nimmons, Ph.D., the Senior Policy & Research Analyst at NAHREP, leads research and data analysis efforts, tracks and analyzes legislative and regulatory actions related to housing, consumer finance, and other issues impacting the Hispanic community's access to homeownership; prior to her time at NAHREP, she spent nearly a decade studying immigration and identity, conducting research with refugees across the United States, showcasing a passion for cross-cultural, community-based research and social justice, and she holds a B.A. in Sociology from Boston College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Texas.

Mark Paniccia, VP at TREO Asset Services, oversees REO assets and manages due diligence for Sigma's pool acquisitions. His role spans asset management, property disposition, note liquidation, and negotiating REO portfolio acquisitions. As Managing Member of Sigma Development, he leads note and REO acquisitions. With a background including Senior VP at SunTrust Mortgage and roles at Merrill Lynch, Prudential, and GMAC ResCap, Mark has extensive experience in portfolio management. A University of Connecticut graduate, he served as Past President of the National Association of Default Professionals.

Dr. Donna Peebles, a senior executive at the Headquarters Small Business Administration (SBA) since May 2019, heads the SBA’s Office of Business Development. In her role as Associate Administrator for the 8(a) Business Development Program, she oversees 8(a) certification and mentor protégé agreements for small businesses. With 33 years of federal service, Dr. Peebles has extensive experience in U.S. government finance, budget, acquisition, and small business programs, contributing to the 8(a) and Small Disadvantaged Programs generating over $50B in government contracts annually for disadvantaged firms.

Camelia Peña-Rivera is an accomplished, full-service real estate sales professional & associate broker. She possesses 20 years of sales experience, 10 years in corporate media sales with Telemundo TV & Univision Radio and 10 years in Real Estate Sales. Ms. Peña-Rivera is equipped with the necessary management, leadership and strong negotiation skills that make her stand out during transactions. The transition to real estate occurred effortlessly, affording her a chance to help people achieve their property goals and dreams.

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.

Tom Perez serves as Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Perez brings decades of local, state, and federal experience to the White House having served as a former Montgomery County, MD Councilmember; as Secretary of Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation; as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice; as Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and as Secretary of Labor under President Obama.

Pamela Perry is a financial services executive and lawyer with corporate, government and non-profit leadership experience, as well as thought leader and sought-after public speaker. Perry is working to build a more equitable housing finance system by leading Freddie Mac’s business strategy to expand access to credit and homeownership for underserved communities of color. Her mission is to align her energy and effort with organizations that prioritize balancing profits with advancing the human experience.

Nayia Pierrakos, a Spartan mother of three and accomplished real estate investor, serves as a national investment coach/mentor and speaker. With a strong commitment to personal and professional development, she invested in top-tier training programs, recognizing the need for a holistic approach. Ms. Pierrakos emphasizes the importance of overcoming internal obstacles for external success. Passionate about making a positive impact, she strives to guide others in designing fulfilling lives. Over the past decade, she has gathered insights from various programs, refining her approach to encompass both business success and personal well-being.

Peggy Pratt is a team leader for the Pratt Properties Real Estate Team and has received many accolades throughout her 27-year career. They are currently the #1 team in Revere, #3 Century 21 team in Massachusetts and ranked in the NAHREP Top 250. She is a landlord, an investor who has flipped many properties, an author and has her own podcast “Sin Permiso- A Latina Lifestyle podcast” where she interviews entrepreneurs and talks about the Latino money mindset. She sits on her local MLS board, the Massachusetts Housing Coalition and has dedicated her time to Rotary International.

Estefanía Rebellón is the co-founder and Executive Director of Yes We Can World Foundation, a female-led nonprofit organization that believes every child has the right to education and safe spaces regardless of their location, current legal status or economic background. Yes We Can World Foundation created and operates the Yes We Can Mobile Schools program. The program serves as a keystone bridge program for refugee and migrant children entering and integrating into the United States.

Tanya Reu-Narvaez serves as chief people officer for Anywhere Real Estate, Inc (formerly known as Realogy). Promoted to this role in January 2021, Reu is responsible for all aspects of the employee experience, including diversity & inclusion, engagement, talent management, and compensation and benefits for the Anywhere Real Estate, Inc. enterprise. She serves on Anywhere Real Estate, Inc. Executive Committee and reports to Anywhere CEO Ryan Schneider. Reu has served Anywhere Real Estate, Inc. for 18 years and prior to her role as chief people officer, was senior vice president of Human Resources for the Realogy Brokerage Group (RBG) and Realogy Franchise Group (RFG) business units.

Lisa Rice is the second President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), the nation's only national civil rights agency solely dedicated to eliminating all forms of housing discrimination. NFHA is also the trade association for over 170 member organizations across the country that work to eliminate barriers in the housing markets and expand equal housing and lending opportunities. NFHA provides a range of programs to affirmatively further fair housing which include community development, membership services, education and outreach, public policy and advocacy, consulting and compliance, communications, tech equity, resource development, and enforcement.

Jason Riveiro serves as Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining NAHREP, Jason served as Sr. Director of Industry Relations at Notarize and held notable roles at Realogy including Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Vice-President of Global Affiliate Service. Riveiro has served on several boards including the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's Business Advisory Board, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, iHeart Radio's Community Advisory Board, and the Pittsburgh Pirates Diversity Advisory Board.

Nuria Rivera is a transformational speaker, business owner and self-development coach on a mission to inspire permanent change for her employees, clients and business leaders. Rivera's efforts have helped increase major results and rewire the mindset of people to achieve personal and professional goals while making a lasting impact to reach their potential. The thought leader has won the Best Of State award for her multi-million dollar Salt Lake City Title company, Novation Title, for 6 years. Ms. Rivera has presented and spoken on more than 30 stages across the nation including a TedX stage.

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.

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.

Alfonso Rodriguez is dedicated to building and developing the best Mortgage Production Team in the industry at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, one of the nation’s top mortgage lenders. With a strong, nationwide branch network, he strives to provide the very best platforms, technology, tools, and products.

Eva Angelina Romero, a Los Angeles native and California State University, Northridge graduate, leads Century 21 Capital Properties and co-owns Solace Oral Surgery. Romero coaches, speaks, and fosters leadership emphasizing collaboration. Her career began as an educator, focusing on business development. Eva, a founding president of NAHREP Nashville (2016-2018), serves on various boards, including NAHREP's national board, Greater Nashville Realtors, American Red Cross, HOLA, ELLA, and VP of TN Latin America Chamber of Commerce.

Eric Sain, a seasoned 25-year industry veteran, serves as district sales manager at Keyes Co. in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida's largest independent brokerage. He's a 2012 NAR Leadership Academy graduate and held various national leadership roles. Recently, he was 2023 Regional Vice President for Region 5. Eric also contributed significantly at state and local levels, serving as Florida REALTORS® President in 2019. He's garnered several accolades, including Florida REALTORS® REALTOR® of the Year in 2020. Beyond real estate, Eric excels as a productivity coach, emcee, and speaker, having previously worked alongside renowned artists in the entertainment industry.

Sean Salas, Fintech executive and Co-Founder/CEO of Camino Financial, drives financial accessibility. Leading the AI-powered community lending platform, he raised and deployed $250 million to support 12,000 loans for overlooked entrepreneurs, predominantly in the U.S. Latinx market. Sean, a Forbes contributor, speaks on the intersection of FinTech and financial inclusion, featured on CNN, NBC Universal, and Lending Academy. His impactful leadership achieved an estimated $150 million in saved fees and generated revenue. Formerly with ICV Partners, managing $50 million in equity investments, Sean holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from UC Berkeley.

Suselle Salermo, a top realtor with ReMax First Realty II, boasts six years of unwavering dedication in the real estate industry. Hailing from Elizabeth, NJ, she's a first-gen Cuban-American, instilled with values of hard work and compassion. Recognized for excellence, she consistently tops her office, earning accolades and NAHREP Top 250 inclusion. As NAHREP Union Essex Chapter President, Suselle enriches her professional network, making a meaningful impact in her community. Her true reward is helping families achieve the American Dream, driven by an enduring sense of purpose and commitment to excellence.

David Sanchez is a Special Policy Advisor at the Federal Housing Administration and HUD’s Office of Housing, working under Assistant Secretary Julia Gordon. In this role, he advances policies that promote broad access to sustainable mortgage credit, increased supply of affordable housing, stronger consumer protections, and healthy neighborhood housing markets. Before joining HUD, David was the Director of Research and Development at the National Community Stabilization Trust. Previously, David worked at the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Center for American Progress. He holds a master’s degree in Sociology from Cambridge University and a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College.

For two decades, Wilson Santiago Soler has excelled in executive sales, non-profit, and marketing, specializing in diverse financing support for minorities. Raised in Puerto Rico, he holds degrees in Marketing, Human Resources, and a minor in New Business Development from the University of Puerto Rico. In 2018, Wilson pioneered the first multicultural role in Quicken Loans/Rocket Mortgage's marketing team, spearheading Hispanic marketing strategy with inclusive messaging. Recognized as a 2022 Hispanic Market Thought Leader by HispanicAd, Santiago Soler continues to authentically connect Rocket with diverse audiences and expand its business portfolios.

With over 18 years of experience in the financial services and mortgage industry, Marlana Scott is passionate about creating and implementing innovative housing initiatives that expand homeownership opportunities and support diverse communities. As the Senior Director of Housing Initiatives at CrossCountry Mortgage, she helps develop and build industry partnerships to increase awareness of down payment solutions, affordable and sustainable mortgage products and services. She also leverages her data analysis, educational outreach, and business development skills to identify further market opportunities.

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.

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.

With over 25 years of real estate leadership, John Thibaudeau heads Fannie Mae's Single-Family Real Estate organization. His responsibilities span all aspects of single-family real estate, from property preservation to marketing, sales, and title and closing activities. John manages vendor relations, alternative dispositions, and pre-foreclosure liquidations. Before joining Fannie Mae in 2003, he began his corporate career at Freddie Mac in 1998. A United States Air Force veteran, John holds an MBA in Finance from Southern Methodist University and a BS in Business from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Lisette Torres is a bridge with a record of bringing together business interests, community voices, and government agents to the table. With her, she brings 15+ years in the financial sector with a focus on housing policy and economic mobility. She is passionate about reducing economic barriers and increasing equal access to wealth vehicles for marginalized communities. Currently, she serves as the Director of Public Policy at Rocket Companies, where she manages stakeholder relations. In her role, she leads housing policy and advocacy affairs that support Rocket Companies’ business interests at the state and national levels.

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.

Kara Ward is the General Counsel and Managing Director at Falcon Capital Advisors. She has over 14 years of experience in banking, finance, housing, and legislative and regulatory analysis. Ms. Ward focuses her practice on the intersection of consumer financial services innovation and government. She is especially well-versed in running complex, cross-governmental matters with intricate legal, policy, and financing components. Ms. Ward is highly knowledgeable in several areas, including the single-family mortgage market, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDI), subsidized small business lending, distributed ledger technological (blockchain) applications, cryptocurrency, and federal grants/loan guarantee management.

Brian Washington, with a career spanning since 2002 in the mortgage and banking industry, delivers prompt, professional service and honest feedback. Specializing in mortgage origination, his expertise extends from first-time homebuyers to clients financing multi-million-dollar dream homes. Operating with PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company, Brian offers in-house processing, underwriting, competitive interest rates, and diverse mortgage products. Regardless of budget or goal, every client receives top-tier treatment. Whether purchasing, refinancing, constructing, or renovating, Brian ensures service beyond expectations.

Brent A. Wilkes, Senior Vice President for Institutional Development at the Hispanic Federation, leads diverse initiatives, including immigration and tech programs, advocacy, resource development, and expanding the Federation's community-focused model to new cities. With 30+ years of experience in public policy, program development, and non-profit management, he is a leading expert in innovative strategies. Before joining the Hispanic Federation, Wilkes founded Wilkes Strategies and served as CEO for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). A Dartmouth College graduate, Wilkes has received numerous awards, including MALDEF's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

Eric Will is the Senior Director of REO within the Single-Family Portfolio & Servicing division at Freddie Mac. Externally in the real estate community, Freddie Mac’s REO department is commonly known as HomeSteps®. Mr. Will is responsible for managing the operational, strategic, and oversight activities related to Freddie Mac’s portfolio of single-family real estate owned (REO) homes nationwide. During his 32-year career at Freddie Mac, he has held various positions in the Technology and Servicing divisions of the organization. He is a graduate of James Madison University.