During this week’s Five Star Conference and Expo, set for Tuesday-Thursday, September 24-26 at the Omni Hotel in Dallas, the Five Star Institute will continue its tradition of recognizing and honoring the extraordinary accomplishments of our industry’s women executives. Each year, industry colleagues nominate their peers across five categories, and those nominees are then narrowed down further. These are the women who are making a difference in the industry and making a mark on their colleagues and team members.
Our final recipients in each of those five categories will be honored at the Women in Housing Leadership Awards ceremony, set for Thursday, September 26.
One of the five awards to be handed out will be the Corporate Social Responsibility Award, an award that recognizes executives or companies who are driving charitable initiatives, and helping the industry make a positive difference.
Sharon Bartlett, Executive Director of Operations, US REO Partners
“Sharon Bartlett is responsible for the continued development of relationships between clients and U.S. REO Partner members. She utilizes her experience, reputation, and commitment in support of resolving issues in the housing industry. During her 34-year career with Freddie Mac, Bartlett gained extensive experience in vendor management, contract negotiation, risk management, compliance, operational loss, servicing, default management/REO, quality control, call center and all aspects of customer relations. Social responsibility has always been important to Sharon—she supports several nonprofits including Rebuilding Together North Texas, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Feed My Starving Children.”
What This Nomination Means to Her
“Being a finalist for the Women in Housing Corporate Social Responsibility category is an incredible honor for me. It signifies recognition of the hard work and dedication I’ve poured into driving charitable initiatives that truly make a difference. This award isn’t just about personal achievement; it’s about the impact we’re making as an industry in the communities we serve. To be acknowledged for contributing to something bigger than ourselves—helping others and fostering positive change—means everything to me. I’m especially proud of the time I’ve committed to supporting various charities and organizations, knowing that hands-on involvement is just as vital as any financial contribution. It reaffirms my belief in the power of business to do good and motivates me to continue pushing boundaries in our efforts to create a better, more equitable world for everyone. I am forever appreciative of the support that I’ve received in these efforts from my former colleagues at Freddie Mac and my current team at U.S. REO Partners. Being nominated for this award alongside such exceptional women who are also making a difference is truly inspiring, and I’m deeply grateful to be in their company.”
Darcy Chapman, VP of Strategic Partnerships, Auction.com
“Darcy Chapman exemplifies corporate social responsibility through her commitment to driving charitable initiatives and helping the industry make a positive difference. As co-leader of the Veterans Financial Services Advisory Council’s sponsorship committee, she has been instrumental in raising over $1 million for Operation Homefront, which supports our veterans. Darcy’s leadership in recruiting volunteers for the VFSAC Golf Classic further underscores her commitment. Under Darcy’s guidance, Auction.com has become the Premiere Presenting sponsor for the Ruth Cheatham Gala, supporting teens impacted by cancer. Her efforts in scholar application scoring have provided crucial support to these young individuals. Darcy also participates in events such as the Genesis Women’s Shelter and the Susan G. Komen More than Pink Walk, bringing hope and assistance to families facing domestic violence and breast cancer.”
What This Nomination Means to Her
“I was genuinely surprised and deeply honored to be nominated again for the Women in Housing Corporate Social Responsibility award. This recognition is less about me and more about the communities we serve. Thanks to Auction.com, I’ve had the privilege of dedicating my time, effort, and resources to remarkable organizations such as VFSAC, which supports veterans and their families, and The Ruth Cheatham Foundation, which aids teen cancer survivors. The true heroes are those who have bravely defended our freedom or faced life-threatening illnesses with unwavering strength. It’s easy to stay motivated when our work positively impacts such deserving individuals. I am profoundly grateful that Auction.com embraces giving back in such a meaningful way.”
Tiffany Fletcher, SVP, Compliance and Operations Support, VRM Mortgage Services
“Tiffany Fletcher exemplifies leadership in corporate social responsibility as Executive Director of the Council for Inclusion in Financial Services (CIFS), a 501(c)(3) organization, while also serving as SVP for VRM Mortgage Services. Under her guidance, CIFS drives meaningful change through initiatives focused on workforce diversity, career development, financial literacy, and supplier diversity. CIFS’s impactful programs include regional FinServ Summits, where housing and economic insights and collaboration drive progress. VRM University-hosted DEI courses equip professionals with tools and knowledge to elevate their business as well as personal lives, while FinServ Now! webinars deliver interactive financial literacy education and informative experiences. Tiffany’s dedication to social responsibility and CIFS’s far-reaching programs are making a significant, positive impact on the financial services industry and the communities it serves.”
What This Nomination Means to Her
“This nomination for the Corporate Social Responsibility Award is a shared achievement with the entire Council for Inclusion in Financial Services (CIFS) team. Together, we work tirelessly year-round to champion diversity across all facets of financial services, from workforce inclusion to financial literacy, ensuring that everyone has the resources to shape their financial future. I am deeply grateful for this recognition, which stands as a testament to the impact of our collective efforts. This nomination reinforces my commitment to continuing this important work and inspires me to push further in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the financial services industry. I am excited to continue leading CIFS as we break new ground and create even more opportunities for meaningful change.”
Heidi Iverson, VP of Strategic Partnerships, Mobility Market Intelligence
“Heidi’s relentless pursuit of excellence, coupled with her strategic utilization of data-driven insights, positions her as a transformative figure within the mortgage industry. Through her leadership at MMI, she not only drives growth and innovation but also empowers industry professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. She is a frequent speaker on webinars and events and is heavily involved in the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America. Heidi’s events have led to more than 500 executives and recruiting leaders attending. In doing so, she not only elevates awareness of MMI’s offerings but also fosters a culture of innovation and informed decision-making within the mortgage community. Heidi’s background includes consulting and recruiting, which has laid the foundation for her leadership and efforts in making the mortgage industry more diverse and equitable for all.”
What This Nomination Means to Her
“This nomination is meaningful to me because it reflects my dedication over the past decade to helping others through data-driven strategies, promoting diversity, and making real contributions to the mortgage industry. It is a testament to the values I strive to uphold and reinforces my dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity within our community. Being recognized is also an acknowledgment of both my personal efforts and the collective impact of our work at MMI to empower lenders and loan officers with the tools and information necessary to fuel progress. I am deeply grateful for this recognition, which inspires me to continue advocating for increased inclusion within executive leadership and creating homeownership opportunities for underserved communities. This nomination not only honors our achievements but also motivates me to persist in driving positive change and supporting the growth and success of others in our industry.”
Louise Thaxton, CEO, American Warrior Initiative; Branch Manager, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
“Louise Thaxton is the National Director of the Military Mortgage Specialist, a designation exclusive to loan professionals of Fairway Mortgage, which trains and equips loan professionals on working with military clients. Louise is a national advocate for America’s veterans and is the Director and co-founder of the American Warrior Initiative, leading the way for hundreds of initiatives for veterans in need across the country, inspiring millions of dollars in donations to fund those initiatives. Louise and her team have taken this message to over 35,000 real estate agents and other business professionals around the country at the American Warrior Real Estate Professional Boot Camps, bringing awareness of the challenges facing the men and women who have served in the military. Louise and AWI have spearheaded hundreds of give-back initiatives to the wounded heroes of America. These wounded heroes have been served through the gifting of over 350 service dogs, business grants, home upgrades, mortgage-free housing, and more.”
What This Nomination Means to Her
“Working as a mortgage lender in a military town for the past two decades, witnessing firsthand the devastating physical, mental, and emotional impacts of war, I felt the call to spread the message of ‘bridging the military-civilian divide,’ bringing awareness of the challenges that face our combat veterans. Leaders of Fairway and its CEO, Steve Jacobson, listened with their heart to these challenges 12 years ago and stepped up to help by underwriting 100% of the overhead cost of the nonprofit American Warrior Initiative. Millions of dollars have been donated by Fairway employees to fund hundreds of initiatives for veterans, including funding of 371 service dogs. This award means so much to me, hopefully shedding light on the war that is still going on in the lives of combat veterans. More than 22 veterans per day are taking their own lives. Americans must step up to do something. My hope is that every company in America has a give-back program for veterans. They deserve it.”
