There is no shortage of qualified women to fill leadership positions – but in the mortgage world, the gender leadership gap remains a glass ceiling rarely shattered. That’s why in the 5th annual Elite Women report, MPA is shining a spotlight on the exceptional women who have broken the barriers of unintentional bias to reach the top.

A few months ago, MPA asked industry professionals from across the country to nominate powerful female leaders who have made their mark on the industry and demonstrated a clear passion for their work. Nominators were asked to provide details of their nominee’s professional achievements over the past 12 months, along with their contributions to diversity and inclusion in the industry and how they’ve given back through volunteer roles and charity work.

After much deliberation, the MPA team narrowed it down to the final 59 extraordinary women who deserved a spot on our list. Among those named were: Christina Brown, chief operations officer of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group; Jodi Hall, president of Nationwide Mortgage Bankers; Tai Pherribo Christensen, DEI officer at CBC Mortgage Agency/Chenoa Fund; and  Michelle Wilde, divisional vice president at Orion Lending.