FREEHOLD, NJ — March 8, 2021 — The Mortgage Bankers Association of New Jersey is proud to reintroduce the MBA-NJ Women’s Committee. The committee’s mission is to leverage the power and influence of women in mortgage banking and real estate by providing a platform to strengthen professional networks and exchange ideas that create lasting impacts in the industry.
The committee is led by several industry leaders, which include Laura Brandao, President of American Financial Resources Inc.; Mary Bulman, Regional Account Manager at Towne Mortgage; Courtney Graham, Chief Marketing Officer at Princeton Mortgage; Deborah Robertson, Regional Vice President at Plaza Home Mortgage; Lynn Weber, Account Manager at Arch Mortgage Insurance; Cindy Corsaro, SVP at Promontory MortgagePath, and Heidi Belnay, Partnership Manager at Reggora.
“I’m excited that the MBA-NJ Women’s Committee will encourage and support the success of women in mortgage banking and real estate, so that they can better serve their communities,” says Brandao, who will serve as Committee Chair. “The positive impact of this dynamic, collaborative group will be felt in a variety of ways, including how we continue to help families secure affordable housing.”
The committee’s resurgence comes at a critical juncture for women across the corporate landscape. According to McKinsey & Company’s 2020 Women in the Workplace report, 1-in-4 women are contemplating downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce due to the COVID-19 crisis, which would unwind years of painstaking progress toward gender diversity. Many companies are at risk of losing women in leadership roles—and future women leaders—due to ongoing issues stemming from the pandemic.
“Women remain under-represented in mortgage banking and real estate, and our goal is for the committee to be an accelerator for change and lasting impact,” says Graham. “By focusing on the core challenges facing women, and supporting one another’s current endeavors, we believe the committee will elevate our voices and create positive change for all members and the industry at large.”
About MBA-NJ
Dedicated to promoting growth and ethical business practices in the real estate finance industry, the Mortgage Banker’s Association of New Jersey is an informative resource that provides ongoing communication, as well as a forum for discussion, decision and timely action on issues affecting our members' livelihood. The group is a representative voice in Washington, D.C. and Trenton, New Jersey.
Contact Information
Laura J. Brandao – MBA-NJ Women’s Committee Chair
973-588-8539
laura.brandao@afrcorp.com
