One of the most popular and time-honored traditions at the annual Five Star Conference in Dallas, Texas, the annual Women in Housing Leadership Awards, recognizes the achievements of businesswomen whose contributions continue to impact the housing and mortgage servicing industries.
Sponsored by ServiceLink, National General Lender Services, and VRM Mortgage Services, the program will include the highly anticipated “Inside the She-Suite” discussion that features the industry’s top-ranking female executives addressing the challenges and sharing inspirational successes they have encountered throughout their careers.
On October 1 at the Omni Dallas Hotel, join us at the closing celebration of the 2025 Five Star Conference & Expo to meet this year’s outstanding finalists, and hear how these industry leaders are forging the way for future women in housing.
Congratulations to the finalists in each of the following categories:
The Rising Star Executive Award
This award honors dynamic women executives who represent the next generation of leadership in the mortgage industry. These rising stars are distinguished by their ability to inspire teams, spark innovation, and deliver measurable results. Recipients are women who are making a significant impact in their executive careers, demonstrating exceptional vision, integrity, and a commitment to advancing both their organizations and the industry as a whole.. This year’s Rising Star Executive finalists include:
- Chi Jensen, Director of Mortgage Servicing, Acra Lending/Citadel Servicing Corporation
- Erin Kinkin, VP of Transaction Management, Lakeview Loan Servicing
- Nicole Parisho, Bankruptcy Team Manager, Valon Mortgage
- Ashley Puckett, AVP of Capital Markets, Novus Home Mortgage
- Cassandra Tapia, Business Project Manager, Agency Sales and Posting, ServiceLink
The Mortgage Visionary Award
This award celebrates exceptional female executives in the mortgage industry (spanning both lending and servicing) who have demonstrated inspirational leadership, shaped lending practices or elevated servicing standards, and expanded access to sustainable homeownership. Through their dedication to operational excellence, customer experience, and industry advancement, these women exemplify the future of housing finance. This year’s Mortgage Visionary finalists include:
- Shayna Arrington, Chief Risk Officer, Servbank
- Heather J. Bentley, EVP, Head of Consumer Specialty Operations, Citizens Bank
- Katherine Cacho, Director of Default Servicing, Valon Mortgage
- Rebecca Clapham, COO, Citywide Home Mortgage
- Catherine Hunter, Creative Director, Cornerstone Home Lending
The Public Sector Champion Award
This award honors outstanding female leaders from government agencies and government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) whose work has profoundly impacted the housing and mortgage finance landscape. Whether through policy development, program innovation, regulatory leadership, or public-private collaboration, these trailblazers have advanced equitable access to homeownership and strengthened the stability of the U.S. housing market. This year’s Public Sector Champion finalists include:
- Cyndi Danko, Single-Family Chief Credit Officer and SVP, Fannie Mae
- Kendra Gray, VP of Single-Family Collateral & Loan Performance Products, Fannie Mae
- Casey Kinser, EVP, Military Warriors Support Foundation
- Katherine Mossop, VP and Portfolio Product Owner, Single-Family Portfolio and Servicing Division, Freddie Mac
- Cristi Richey, VP Business Account Management Solutions, Fannie Mae
The Industry Partner Impact Award
This award celebrates female leaders working in affiliated services or partner organizations—such as technology providers, legal firms, and vendors—who have made a significant impact on the mortgage and housing sectors. Nominees in this category drive meaningful partnerships and innovations that enhance the industry’s capabilities and effectiveness. This year’s Industry Partner Impact finalists include:
- Micole Booker, VP, Mortgage Default Operations, VRM Mortgage Services
- Reneau J. Longoria, Managing Member, Doonan, Graves, & Longoria LLC
- Stephanie Mclane, Founder and CEO, AREMCO
- Miriam Moore, Division President, Default Services, ServiceLink
- Wendy R. Reiss, Managing Partner, National Bankruptcy Practice, McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce
The Laurie A. Maggiano Legacy Award
This award recognizes women whose accomplishments have left an indelible impact on the industry and have positively influenced homeownership within the past year. (Candidates for this award must have at least 20 years of consecutive industry experience). This year’s Laurie A. Maggiano Legacy Award finalists include:
- Dana C. Abernathy, CMB, VP of Servicing, Cornerstone Servicing
- Elizabeth Balce, EVP, Loan Servicing, Carrington Mortgage Services LLC
- Kira Granovskaya, Head of Transaction Management, Citi
- Jennifer Stockett, Senior Advisor, External Affairs, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Dr. Cheryl Travis-Johnson, EVP & COO, VRM Mortgage Services
Click here for more information or to register for the 2025 Five Star Conference & Expo.
