2024 AGENDA

All times in ET

• 8:00 AM

  Registration and breakfast

• 9:00 AM

  Opening remarks from chairperson

  

  Leanne Conroy

  Regional Sales Director
  MCAN Home Mortgage

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  Leanne Conroy

  Regional Sales Director
  MCAN Home Mortgage

  Leanne Conroy is a celebrated leader and expert in the alternative lending sector, having garnered numerous awards for her work. She has dedicated 15 years to the mortgage industry, with eight of those years focused on alternative lending. Leanne is a sought-after source for market trend analysis, training, and education within the industry.

  Leanne is also an ardent advocate for supporting women in the mortgage industry, actively working to promote gender diversity and empower female professionals. Her efforts to create an inclusive environment extend to her personal life, where she champions a balanced approach to work, life, and well-being. As a yoga instructor, Leanne offered free online classes during the pandemic and remains committed to her community by volunteering with organizations like the YMCA. She also serves as a co-leader of the Northern Ontario Lenders Association, cultivating collaboration and growth within the mortgage sector. 

• 9:05 AM

  Keynote Introduction

  

  Veronica Love

  Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
  TMG The Mortgage Group

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  Veronica Love

  Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
  TMG The Mortgage Group

  Veronica is a past Chair of Mortgage Professionals Canada and is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at TMG The Mortgage Group.   

  As a regular contributor to Women in the Mortgage Industry (WIMI), Veronica was recognized as a WIMI of the Year in 2017. She has also regularly appeared on the Hot List for mortgage professionals in CMP magazine (2018, 2019, 2020). In 2019, she was awarded the Outstanding Representative Award by the Canadian Mortgage Broker Association (CMBA), Ontario and the inaugural Woman of Distinction Award at the Canadian Mortgage Awards (CMP). Named a Woman of Influence by CMP magazine for multiple years (2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021), she was also listed as one of the 100 top mortgage professionals in the Global 100 CMP list! And rounding out her accomplishments, Veronica was recognized by CMP magazine as an industry icon in 2020. 

  Veronica is captain of the Women Wish Granters team – where she recruited team members – many being of women within the mortgage industry – for the Make-a-Wish Rope for Hope. Her team has raised over $197,000 for this cause to date and Veronica is a top fundraiser for Canada, raising close to $40,000. 

  Veronica has been a Professor and Board Member for the Humber College PR/Event Management Certificate Program, a Board Member on the Aurora Youth Soccer Association and served on the Make-A-Wish Capital Cabinet.  

• 9:10 AM

  Opening Keynote: Happy Go Money – How to become financially happier, stronger, and more resilient

  The last few years have been tumultuous to say the least, with households feeling the stress of rising interest rates and high inflation. When faced with daunting challenges, how can we emerge financially happier, stronger, and more resilient? Melissa Leong, one of Canada’s best-loved authorities on personal finance, says when it comes to our money, we have a lot to gain from our tough experiences. Sharing wisdom and stories from her own personal journey, Melissa distills her learning into critical lessons – the keys to unlocking financial happiness, and the tools we need to thrive during the next unexpected storm. 

   

  

  Melissa Leong

  Personal Finance Expert, National Media Personality, Best-selling Author
  

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  Melissa Leong

  Personal Finance Expert, National Media Personality, Best-selling Author
  

  Melissa Leong is one of Canada’s best-loved authorities on personal finance. A sought-after speaker, national media personality, bestselling author, and award-winning podcast host, she is currently the resident money expert on CTV’s The Social, Canada’s leading daytime talk show, and a repeat guest on The Drew Barrymore Show. Leong is on a quest to help people better manage their money while maximizing their happiness. She delivers high-energy, informative, and practical talks about behavioural economics, positive psychology, and personal finance in her signature frank and funny style.  

  For almost two decades, Leong worked as a print journalist, reporting on a variety of beats including crime, politics, terrorism, arts, and business for The National Post, The Toronto Star, and The Globe and Mail. She spent several years as the personal finance writer for the Financial Post and is now a go-to money expert for radio and television programs such as BNN and CBC.  

  Leong graduated from the esteemed Bachelor of Journalism program at the Toronto Metropolitan University (former Ryerson University). She is the bestselling author of the feelgood finance guide, Happy Go Money, and host of the award-winning business podcast, Money Moves: Conversations About Investing. 

• 9:55 AM

  Leaders’ briefing: Economic outlook – Revealing mortgage market insights

  Join us for an exclusive opportunity to hear the latest industry-focused economic outlook from a senior economist, in conversation with a senior mortgage leader. This session reveals key market updates, with data-driven insights on industry challenges and the opportunities they create. Gain valuable takeaways on:  

  • The economy’s impact on mortgage market conditions and the tools available to understand the market and assess your own critical competencies  
  • Key inflation markers and how they impact Bank of Canada’s decision-making process 
  • An enhanced lending market understanding for informed business decisions   
  • Practical ideas and insights for navigating challenging market conditions  
  • Taking a data-driven approach to address current and upcoming industry challenges  

  

  Sherry Cooper

  Chief Economist
  Dominion Lending Centres

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  Sherry Cooper

  Chief Economist
  Dominion Lending Centres

  Dr. Sherry Cooper is a sought-after speaker, writer and advisor renowned for her ability to
  simplify and demystify the complex subjects of economics and finance. She is Chief Economist of
  Dominion Lending Centres–Canada’s leading mortgage and leasing brokerage. In this role,
  Sherry helps Canadians understand the issues surrounding their most important financial
  decision—buying a home.

  Named “the megawatt celebrity economist” by Canada’s national newspaper –and repeatedly
  cited as one of the most influential women in Canada, Sherry served as Chief Economist and
  Executive Vice-President of BMO Financial Group, where she was responsible for global
  economic and financial forecasting as well as country-risk and industry-risk analysis. She joined
  BMO Financial Group in 1994 when it acquired Burns Fry, where she had been Chief Economist,
  Co-Head of Fixed Income and the first female director of a Bay Street investment firm.
  Well-known as a media commentator, Sherry’s third book—The New Retirement: How It Will
  Change Our Future—was a blockbuster best-seller. Canadian Mortgage Professionals
  Association (CMP) has named Sherry a Woman of Influence every year since 2016.

  Dr. Cooper has an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh. The University
  of Windsor awarded Sherry an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2019 for her contribution to
  Canadian financial literacy.

  

  Hali Noble

  Managing Director
  Fisgard Asset Management Corporation

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  Hali Noble

  Managing Director
  Fisgard Asset Management Corporation

  Hali is a founding Managing Director of Fisgard Asset Management Corporation, one of Canada’s most respected MIC managers. She manages Fisgard’s mortgage broker and lender relationships, communication, and business advancement.  

  She has spent her entire career as an alternative/private mortgage lender, is a Past Chair of MPC, Past President of CMBA-BC and is currently a Director of the BCMMA (BC MIC Managers Association) and CAMLA (Canadian Alternative Mortgage Lenders Association). 

  Hali has received several industry awards, most notable of these recognitions are the induction to the Canadian Mortgage Hall of Fame, the CMBA-BC Pioneer Award for Lifetime and was named one of WXN Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the category of Trailblazers and Trendsetters. She is Co-Founder of WIMI (Women In the Mortgage Industry) an online group that focuses on leadership, mentorship, education and community which has over 5,500 members from across Canada. 

  In her personal life Hali is respected and recognized as a life-long advocate and community supporter of education, arts, culture, charities and non-professional sports, dedicating time and financial resources to social imperatives including support for Our Place Society, Mustard Seed Food Bank, Salvation Army, Victoria Conservatory of Music and the Victoria Symphony. She is extremely proud of her Metis heritage and is a member of the British Columbia Metis Nation.   

• 10:25 AM

  Speed networking

  Expand your network and meet fellow delegates in a short and snappy structured networking session. An energizing opportunity to make new connections in three brief rounds of speed networking.  

  

  Leanne Conroy

  Regional Sales Director
  MCAN Home Mortgage

  ×

  

  Leanne Conroy

  Regional Sales Director
  MCAN Home Mortgage

  Leanne Conroy is a celebrated leader and expert in the alternative lending sector, having garnered numerous awards for her work. She has dedicated 15 years to the mortgage industry, with eight of those years focused on alternative lending. Leanne is a sought-after source for market trend analysis, training, and education within the industry.

  Leanne is also an ardent advocate for supporting women in the mortgage industry, actively working to promote gender diversity and empower female professionals. Her efforts to create an inclusive environment extend to her personal life, where she champions a balanced approach to work, life, and well-being. As a yoga instructor, Leanne offered free online classes during the pandemic and remains committed to her community by volunteering with organizations like the YMCA. She also serves as a co-leader of the Northern Ontario Lenders Association, cultivating collaboration and growth within the mortgage sector. 

• 10:40 AM

  Networking coffee break

• 11:10 AM

  Panel: Building our community – Strategies to empower women in mortgage

  The mortgage landscape continues to be male dominated, with women underrepresented in leadership positions. How can we unite as a community to support women in mortgage to lead, scale, and grow our businesses? What can we learn from each other’s unique perspectives and experiences to steer our careers? How can we help each other with leadership opportunities – and leverage the support of good male allies? Join this engaging conversation as industry leaders explore the crucial skills, expertise, and mindset needed to lead positive, inclusive change in our industry. 

  • The inside scoop: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from your favourite leader? 
  • How to connect as a community to advance, grow, and support each other 
  • Strategies that male allies can use to amplify women in mortgage like centring women in meetings and sponsoring talented women  
  • How to navigate imposter syndrome and judgements, and get comfortable with self-advocacy 
  • How unconscious bias is limiting the elevation of more women into senior leadership roles 

  Moderator

  

  Natasha Bridgmohan

  President & Chief Visionary Officer
  The Bridg Group of Companies

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  Natasha Bridgmohan

  President & Chief Visionary Officer
  The Bridg Group of Companies

  Natasha Bridgmohan has been in business for herself since 2003, and as an immigrant woman of colour, coming from humble beginnings, it’s been a winding road. A colourful journey mixed with detours and bumps, hills and valleys but best of all… the scenery and people she has met along the way have shaped her into the successful woman she is today. She is an advocate for celebrating and practicing spiritual and cultural diversity both at home and in the office. She brings this deep understanding with her when she addresses her audiences around the globe.

  Natasha is President and Chief Visionary Officer of The Bridg Group of Companies (TBGOC). She is also a sought-after industry expert and motivational speaker. She has been invited to speak on television, radio, and online talk shows and has been featured in numerous articles about her dynamic philosophy around financial education. Natasha is the host of the highly viewed and successful Financial Room series on GLOBAL Television Network/CHEX Peterborough.

  Her mission is to change lives with her natural talent for numbers and undeniable knowledge of the financial industry. When she combines this with her views on a positive mindset, spiritual connection and healthy living she is able to deliver a fresh message of hope, perseverance and tenacity to her audience. She teaches her viewers to focus on the big picture and keep the rest simple. In short, she shows people how to be the Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) of their own life!

  Panelists

  

  Christine Buemann

  Owner Broker
  The Collective Mortgage Group

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  Christine Buemann

  Owner Broker
  The Collective Mortgage Group

  Christine is a seasoned Mortgage Broker with 14 years of wisdom earned. Her experience navigating businesses as a young mother has sparked her passion to demonstrate the effectiveness of empathy and kindness in leadership.

  She co-owns the boutique and exclusive brokerage, The Collective Mortgage Group, and also has a small team that she runs from Prince George, BC. She has personally been investing in real estate for almost 20 years and has gained a tremendous amount of knowledge through a diverse range of opportunities.

  Christine has proven driven and dedicated to supporting the mortgage industry. From coaching to a variety of boards and committees, she is always eager to contribute.
  Aside from her title as Mommy, her second greatest achievement is the recent title of cancer survivor. 

  

  Ruvani Henriques

  Vice President, Marketing, Sales & Strategy
  Glasslake Funding

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  Ruvani Henriques

  Vice President, Marketing, Sales & Strategy
  Glasslake Funding

  Ms. Henriques leads the marketing, sales, and strategy divisions for Glasslake Funding. As an Honours BA graduate from the University of Toronto in Communications, Culture, and IT, she is also specialized in Digital Communications through Sheridan College and a Graduate of the Queens Leadership Program. She has since spent over 15 years in the mortgage industry building her knowledge and passion for building brands and business marketing primarily through lending companies. Ms. Henriques is an expert of product marketing solutions, sales enablement strategies, and relationship management which has contributed to multiple industry nominations for marketing and media nominations. Her collaborative nature finds success in working with brokers, sales, and product teams to deliver on set objectives with tangible results. Ms. Henriques finds value in building trust and confidence through every touchpoint and person she’s in contact with. She is an advocate for her team and colleagues and is particularly driven to bring out the best in them. At the heart of it all, she loves building amazing things with amazing people.  

  

  Elena Robinson

  Vice President, Residential Sales
  First National Financial

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  Elena Robinson

  Vice President, Residential Sales
  First National Financial

  Elena was part of the First National team as their first Business Development Manager during its early years in the industry. She rejoined in 2018 to help launch the Excalibur program, First National’s alternative lending division. Elena brings numerous years of industry expertise to her role as Vice President, Residential Sales. Throughout her three decades in the industry, Elena has mastered her sales, business development, management, and training skills. Highly motivated to succeed, Elena is always inspired to find new and creative ways to achieve objectives. She considers herself a people person and often maintains a cheerful disposition and outgoing manner that puts people at ease. Elena was recognized as CMP’s Women of Influence in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and listed as an Elite Women in the Global Best in Mortgage 2022.  

  

  Lauren van den Berg

  President & Chief Executive Officer
  Mortgage Professionals Canada

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  Lauren van den Berg

  President & Chief Executive Officer
  Mortgage Professionals Canada

• 12:00 PM

  Candid conversation: AI and its evolving impact on mortgage

  The adoption of generative artificial intelligence in mortgage has played a transformative role in our industry in recent years. When used well it can be a game-changer for improving both personal and business efficiency and customer service – but emerging AI risks and pitfalls require vigilance. What are the challenges and opportunities of adopting AI for women in mortgage? Learn crucial updates from women leading the cutting edge of AI, as they guide you through the latest mortgage use cases and anticipate future developments in 2024 and beyond.   

  • Why should women in mortgage embrace the use of AI?  
  • Explore successful use cases of generative AI in mortgage services – and the pitfalls to avoid  
  • What works for brokers and lenders? Learn timesaving tips and tricks to increase individual and organizational efficiency 
  • Discover emerging trends and AI adoption strategies to future-proof your business, including ways to analyze customer data and prevent fraud   

  Moderator

  

  Jamie David

  Head of Marketing & Sr. Director of Mortgages
  Ratehub.ca

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  Jamie David

  Head of Marketing & Sr. Director of Mortgages
  Ratehub.ca

  Jamie David is the Head of Marketing and Senior Business Director of Mortgages at Ratehub.ca. She has a proven track record in business leadership, developing and executing full-funnel marketing strategies, conversion optimization, and product marketing. Jamie has established Ratehub.ca as Canada’s prime source for mortgage education, comparison, expertise, and services by leveraging an innovative mix of PR, marketing, and product development. She heads a talented, cross-functional team dedicated to providing Canadians with the best mortgage experience from online search to mortgage close.  

  A graduate of the Systems Design Engineering program at the University of Waterloo, she has over 18 years of marketing and engineering experience in the fintech, banking, education, energy, and retail industries. Her love for travel and adventure has led her to work for different companies in Canada, Australia, and Japan. 

   

  Panelists

  

  Fern Glowinsky

  President & Chief Executive Officer
  Haventree Bank

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  Fern Glowinsky

  President & Chief Executive Officer
  Haventree Bank

  Fern Glowinsky is President and Chief Executive Officer of Haventree Bank, a private Canadian Schedule 1 Bank specializing in alternative mortgage solutions and GIC deposits.  

  Fern joined Haventree Bank as President and CEO in February 2023, having served on the Board of Haventree Bank for almost two years prior. During her 20+ years of experience as a leader in financial services organizations and high-growth fintech companies, Fern has successfully leveraged growth opportunities and created exceptional value. Throughout her career, Fern has demonstrated the ability to unite teams around a common vision, lead successful digital transformations and develop strong and lasting partnerships. 

  Prior to Haventree Bank, Fern was the President and CEO of Merrco Payments which she built into a market-leading payments company in the cannabis sector. Before that, she led companies in the non-prime lending sector and spent 15 years as a senior executive at Moneris, a joint venture of RBC and BMO. 

  Fern holds an MBA/JD degree from Schulich and Osgoode, has a BA in Economics from Western and is a graduate of the Directors Education Program with the ICD.D designation. In addition to continuing to sit on the Haventree Bank Board, she is Chair of the Merrco Payments Board, a Trustee of the A&W Revenue Royalties Fund and sits on the Board of Baycrest Foundation. 

   

  

  Dong Lee

  Chief Executive Officer
  Axiom Innovations

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  Dong Lee

  Chief Executive Officer
  Axiom Innovations

  Dong is the Chief Executive Officer for Axiom Innovations and the Scarlett Network.  He’s been in the Financial Services/Mortgage Broker industry for the past 28 years.  Over that time, he’s held numerous senior executive roles and responsibilities.  Dong started his career at TD Bank and spent time at Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Scotiabank.     

   For 14 years, Dong served as the Vice President of Operations & President for Mortgage Architects.  In 2019, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer for the DLC Group of Companies.     

  Dong is also actively involved in the industry.  For 5 years, Dong was elected as a Director for Mortgage Professionals Canada and served as its 26th Chair.  He continues to serve on a number of industry and regulatory committees. 

   

  

  Molly Maclellan

  Associate Vice President, Operations
  Magenta Capital Corporation

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  Molly Maclellan

  Associate Vice President, Operations
  Magenta Capital Corporation

  Molly is the Associate Vice President, Operations at Magenta and has been with the team since January 2021. Prior to joining Magenta, Molly worked as a management liability underwriter at Chubb Insurance. Molly holds a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from Queen’s University and a Master of Business Administration from Smith School of Business with specializations in digital transformation and analytics. 

• 12:30 PM

  Networking lunch

• 1:30 PM

  Panel: Navigating industry challenges – a leadership toolkit for women in mortgage

  With challenging market conditions, how do you continually adapt to a changing landscape to build your business? How will the latest regulatory updates, lending practices, and consumer protection measures affect your business? What is the role of government in shaping the mortgage landscape? With key insights on the latest industry changes, this panel of senior leaders will discuss practical strategies for adapting to change to boost your business.  

  • Taking a “back -to-basics” approach to equip you with the latest industry knowledge and tools 
  • Consider shifts in consumer demographics and preferences  
  • Explore the latest best practices in brokering, lending, underwriting, and risk management 
  • Learn what works now in client attraction, management, and retention 
  • Discover the evolving role of mortgage industry leaders in a changing landscape 

  Moderator

  

  Jill Moellering

  Mortgage Broker
  Mortgage Architects

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  Jill Moellering

  Mortgage Broker
  Mortgage Architects

  Panelists

  

  Cynthia Clark

  Operations Lead – Mortgage Originations
  CMI Canadian Mortgages Inc.

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  Cynthia Clark

  Operations Lead – Mortgage Originations
  CMI Canadian Mortgages Inc.

  As an accomplished career banker, Cynthia has extensive management experience supporting branch staff, mortgage brokers and realtors with structuring mortgage financing for their clients. 

  Over the years, she has helped hundreds of clients reach their goal of home ownership by providing client-centric and solutions-based service. Cynthia is the recipient of Leadership, Improving Results and Exceptional Client Service awards from former employers CIBC, NBC and Spherion. She holds a BBA, accreditations from ICB and has successfully completed the AMP course. 

  

  Caroline Rapson

  Director of Membership
  CENTUM Financial Group Inc.

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  Caroline Rapson

  Director of Membership
  CENTUM Financial Group Inc.

  With over 27 years of combined Real Estate and Mortgage Industry experience with the Charlwood Pacific Group, specifically with Century 21 Canada and Centum Financial Group Inc., Caroline is currently the Director of Membership for Centum Financial Group Inc. nationally. 

  Responsibilities include member communications, office and agent onboarding, member services deployment, brokerage lender relationships, strategic partnerships with Partners & Suppliers and CENTUM Events. Using her wealth of experience in Administration, Accounting & Finance, and Operations, she focuses on working with the team to continuously enhance the experience, support and offerings for CENTUM’s network and the consumer.  

  Her interactions and relationships with her colleagues, the CENTUM Network and other industry professionals are what she thrives on.  She is also a member of 100 Brokers Who Care, which is Canadian mortgage brokers working together to make a difference. 

  Caroline has been active in supporting Mortgage Professionals Canada (MPC) and has been a Director with Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association of British Columbia (CMBA- BC) for 2 terms and is the current President of the Mortgage Brokers Institute of British Columbia (MBIBC).  

  Over the years, Caroline has earned several accolades including a CMP Industry Icon in 2017 and recognized on the lists of the CMP Women of Influence. 

  

  Rejean Roberge

  Vice President
  CWB Optimum Mortgage

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  Rejean Roberge

  Vice President
  CWB Optimum Mortgage

  As the driving force behind CWB Optimum Mortgage’s success and growth, Vice President Rejean Roberge has solidified her position as a prominent leader in the mortgage industry. In her tenure of more than 12 years with Optimum, she has consistently demonstrated her strategic vision and exceptional execution, resulting in record-breaking year-over-year new mortgage originations. 

  Under Rejean’s astute leadership, CWB Optimum Mortgage has not only thrived as one of Canada’s Top 50 Best Workplaces but has also emerged as a leading alternative lender, even during challenging market conditions. Her deep expertise in cultivating an inclusive, empowering, and self-care-oriented culture has been instrumental in surpassing growth targets and delivering unparalleled service to customers and brokers. 

  Leading a diverse nationwide team of 120 professionals, Rejean has fostered a culture of motivation, excellence, and results-driven performance. Her unwavering commitment to creating a positive workplace environment has garnered national recognition, exemplified by CWB Optimum Mortgage’s prestigious win of the Canadian Mortgage Awards Employer of Choice Award in 2022. 

  Rejean’s strategic leadership, coupled with her dedication to nurturing a high-performing team, has positioned CWB Optimum Mortgage as an industry leader. Her focus on fostering growth, embracing inclusivity, and delivering exceptional service has propelled the company to new heights, setting the benchmark for excellence in the mortgage industry. 

  

  Kate Wybrow

  Vice President
  Lender Solutions, FCT

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  Kate Wybrow

  Vice President
  Lender Solutions, FCT

• 2:15 PM

  Idea generator: What’s your differentiator? Refreshing your personal brand

  Building a distinct personal brand is crucial to strengthening your reputation and helping you market yourself as an individual leader. How do you focus on your purpose, define your niche, and curate the skills that articulate your authentic self? This interactive session will give you the tools you need to refresh your approach and ensure your personal brand evolves with your business.  

  • Show up on social media – useful takeaways on the strategies and shortcuts that work now 
  • Demonstrate your niche expertise or diversify your business with your brand 
  • Harness new digital marketing strategies and podcast/media opportunities to find new clients and grow your business  
  • Leverage your network as advocates for brand authenticity 

  Moderator

  

  Rakhee Dhingra

  CEO, Mortgage Broker
  Mortgage Savvy

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  Rakhee Dhingra

  CEO, Mortgage Broker
  Mortgage Savvy

  Rakhee Dhingra launched her career in financial services after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in commerce and finance. While working her way up the ladder at major banks, she made it a priority to put people first. “For me, it’s never been about the numbers; it’s about the relationships,” she says. 

  Dhingra founded Mortgage Savvy in 2015 with a mission to challenge the transactional nature of the industry and focus on building meaningful connections instead. “Clients often come to us with a lot of financial stress,” she says. “We work with them not only to secure the lowest rate and most flexible terms, but we also educate them throughout the entire process so they feel secure and confident in their financial decisions.” 

  Panelists

  

  Kate Brady

  President
  Dominion Media Corp.

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  Kate Brady

  President
  Dominion Media Corp.

  Meet Kate Brady, President of Dominion Media Corp. and VP of Marketing at DLCG Mortgage Group. With over 18 years of experience in marketing, Kate specializes in boosting brand visibility for DLCG’s three mortgage networks and their 8,000 + owners and agents, leveraging a decade of expertise in the broker channel. Her passion lies in educating Canadians on the benefits of using a mortgage professional and enhancing agent branding within network and franchise frameworks. 

  Kate believes in the power of collaboration to create marketing content and resources, leading her team to win the “Marketing Campaign of the Year” award three times at the Mortgage Awards of Excellence. She has also spearheaded successful media campaigns and innovative marketing tools for her networks. Kate’s leadership reflects her commitment to fostering industry relationships and achieving marketing excellence. 

  

  Emily Boyce

  Director, Marketing and Communications
  Teranet Inc

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  Emily Boyce

  Director, Marketing and Communications
  Teranet Inc

  An innovative and creative leader, Emily Boyce is responsible for leading Teranet’s national Marketing and Communications team. 

  Since joining Teranet in 2018, Emily has built the Marketing Centre of Excellence by focusing on brand building, talent acquisition, operations and financial optimization, marketing technology integrations, sales enablement, customer insight and enterprise customer acquisition strategies.  Her experience building high-performance teams and identifying opportunities for value creation has accelerated the function’s success in becoming a strategic function for growth. 

  Prior to her role at Teranet, Emily led the Product Marketing function at FCT, focusing on go-to-market strategies to support all lines of business with their growth objectives.  She has also held leadership positions and senior roles in the Healthcare, Financial Services and Real Estate Industries, working both on the client side of Marketing teams and with leading creative agencies in the GTA.  Emily is a Chartered Marketer with the Canadian Marketing Association and has been a Judge for three years in a row for the CMAs annual awards. 

  Emily resides in Burlington with her husband, two children and their Australian Shephard, Angus.  She volunteers regularly in her community as an active dance and hockey Mom. 

  

  Vivianne Gauci

  Senior Vice President, Customer Experience and Chief Marketing Officer
  HomeEquity Bank

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  Vivianne Gauci

  Senior Vice President, Customer Experience and Chief Marketing Officer
  HomeEquity Bank

  As Senior Vice President, Customer Experience & Chief Marketing Officer, Vivianne Gauci leads HomeEquity Bank’s marketing and customer experience design and delivery teams. She is responsible for driving originations growth by leading award-winning brand and performance marketing that has increased awareness and demand. Ms. Gauci is also responsible for the evolution of the bank into a customer-centric organization, leading a team that uses the voice of the customer to design and deliver experiences worth sharing. 

  Ms. Gauci joined HomeEquity Bank in 2015 and has over 20 years of experience in marketing, product development, and strategy in financial services including over 10 years at companies such as American Express and Aviva. She graduated with a Hons. Bachelor of Business Administration and holds her Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business. 

  Ms. Gauci has led the creation of several award-winning campaigns and is regularly sought out to speak at industry conferences. She has been named a CMP Woman of Influence, sat on the board of the Canadian Association for Financial Institutions in Insurance, co-chaired the Financial Services Special Interest Group for the American Marketing Association and has judged the RBC Women Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. 

• 2:40 PM

  Networking coffee break

• 3:10 PM

  Candid conversation: Negotiating contracts – What you should really be asking for

  Gender pay inequality exists at all levels, with the average top female CEO earning just 63 cents for every dollar a male CEO makes. Studies show women are less likely to get raises than men, although we ask for them as often. How can we move the dial forward and overcome gender bias when women face backlash for being assertive? This frank discussion reveals the mistakes women often make when negotiating raises, broker agreements, and splits – so you can avoid them. Empower yourself with the knowledge required to confidently negotiate your renumeration while meeting the needs of your organization.  

  • Understand your compensation expectations, incentives, and career progression  
  • Prepare for the conversation to achieve the outcome you want  
  • Explore alternative compensation models that value performance and outcomes 
  • Know your worth – how to overcome pushback and bias to successfully negotiate 

  Moderator

  

  Veronica Love

  Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
  TMG The Mortgage Group

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  Veronica Love

  Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
  TMG The Mortgage Group

  Veronica is a past Chair of Mortgage Professionals Canada and is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at TMG The Mortgage Group.   

  As a regular contributor to Women in the Mortgage Industry (WIMI), Veronica was recognized as a WIMI of the Year in 2017. She has also regularly appeared on the Hot List for mortgage professionals in CMP magazine (2018, 2019, 2020). In 2019, she was awarded the Outstanding Representative Award by the Canadian Mortgage Broker Association (CMBA), Ontario and the inaugural Woman of Distinction Award at the Canadian Mortgage Awards (CMP). Named a Woman of Influence by CMP magazine for multiple years (2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021), she was also listed as one of the 100 top mortgage professionals in the Global 100 CMP list! And rounding out her accomplishments, Veronica was recognized by CMP magazine as an industry icon in 2020. 

  Veronica is captain of the Women Wish Granters team – where she recruited team members – many being of women within the mortgage industry – for the Make-a-Wish Rope for Hope. Her team has raised over $197,000 for this cause to date and Veronica is a top fundraiser for Canada, raising close to $40,000. 

  Veronica has been a Professor and Board Member for the Humber College PR/Event Management Certificate Program, a Board Member on the Aurora Youth Soccer Association and served on the Make-A-Wish Capital Cabinet.  

  Panelists

  

  Sofia Hondrogiannis

  AVP, Sales and Strategy
  TD Broker Services

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  Sofia Hondrogiannis

  AVP, Sales and Strategy
  TD Broker Services

  As the Associate Vice President of TD Broker Services, Sofia Hondrogiannis is responsible for managing the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) region, the largest regional portfolio within the channel. She is also responsible for driving overall strategic capabilities, utilizing her deep industry knowledge and exceptional sales expertise. 

  Sofia brings with her an impressive 23-year track record of dedicated service at TD. Throughout her tenure with the bank, Sofia has progressed to lead increasingly expansive management roles within the organization, demonstrating her commitment to personal and professional growth.  During her time with Broker Services, she led the Inside Sales National team while also spearheading the successful launch of Inside Sales across Canada. She also directed and executed the national launch of Broker Bridge Loans, leading to significant business growth and improved customer experiences. 

  Sofia is based in the Toronto area, where she spends her free time volunteering on various community and cultural boards. She also spends her extra time as a “Wish Granter” for Make a Wish Foundation.   

  

  Rosanna Stofberg

  Director, Total Rewards & People Orientation
  Questrade Financial Group

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  Rosanna Stofberg

  Director, Total Rewards & People Orientation
  Questrade Financial Group

  Rosanna has led Total Rewards functions for financial services organizations for the past decade. Her experience covers all aspects of total rewards from executive compensation to salary structure design to negotiations with unions. She holds a PhD in remuneration, focused on pay transparency practices. She currently works for Questrade Financial Group as the Director for Total Rewards and People Operations. 

  

  Leah Zlatkin

  Chief Operations Officer & Mortgage Broker
  Mortgage Outlet Inc.

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  Leah Zlatkin

  Chief Operations Officer & Mortgage Broker
  Mortgage Outlet Inc.

  Leah Zlatkin is an award winning Mortgage Broker working with clients across Canada and the COO at Mortgage Outlet.  She is well known for providing straightforward mortgage advice to media outlets from local papers like the Toronto Star to Canada Wide news stations like CTV and the Financial Post and was recently elected by her peers to sit on the Board of Directors for the CMBA.  She manages recruitment, training, and the HUB at Mortgage Outlet; a leading independent mortgage brokerage doing ~1 Billion in originations annually.   

   

• 3:45 PM

  Panel: Knowledge exchange – Enabling growth through mentoring

  With the younger boomer generation of mortgage professionals set to retire en masse in the next decade, the need to retain and share industry knowledge and expertise is critical as we transition to the next generation of leaders. How can we pass on invaluable industry knowledge and prevent the “brain drain” from industry veterans, while providing stretch opportunities for younger women to learn, train, and grow as mortgage professionals? This multi-generational panel will share their insights on how to effectively engage mentor/mentee relationships for the growth and success of women in mortgage.

  • Discover real-world examples of how organizations are successfully safeguarding industry wisdom
  • Leverage mentorship opportunities to share key industry experience that informs and unlocks potential in future women industry leaders
  • Recognize the role of senior women leaders in investing in others
  • Consider different approaches to mentoring that work for women in mortgage, like coaching, on-the-job training, and opportunities for stretch assignments
  • Establish best practices for maximizing mentoring relationships to equip your business for the future

  Moderator

  

  Barbara Cook

  Senior Business Development Manager
  BMO

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  Barbara Cook

  Senior Business Development Manager
  BMO

  Barbara Cook has years of experience in helping Entrepreneurs and Business Owners with Start ups, Scaling, Redefining and Reinventing themselves. 

  Barbara is a passionate, results-driven sales professional with more than 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. 

  A true people person, Barbara is an exceptional communicator who approaches sales with a consultative, informative style, possessing strong negotiation skills and demonstrated success in building and maintaining strong long-term relationships and partnerships. 

  Barbara is currently VP of Franchise Development, where she implements and maintains a strategic plan to advance sales growth for the Mortgage Centre Network Internally and Externally. 

  Panelists

  

  Sabeena Bubber

  Mortgage Broker
  Xeva Mortgage

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  Sabeena Bubber

  Mortgage Broker
  Xeva Mortgage

  

  Gita Cartwright

  Business Development Manager
  MCAN Home Mortgage Corporation

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  Gita Cartwright

  Business Development Manager
  MCAN Home Mortgage Corporation

  Gita has had an impressive 25 years in this industry holding roles in lending, territory management, and national sales and training.  She brings these experiences to her role as BDM with MCAN Home.  Gita is passionate about working in partnership with brokers with a focus on building solid relationships through excellence in customer service. She has been recognized as a Woman of Influence multiple times and is a community voice for conservation, sustainability, and mentorship.  

   

  

  Kiki Sauriol-Roode

  Vice President, Business Development
  Sagen

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  Kiki Sauriol-Roode

  Vice President, Business Development
  Sagen

  As Vice President, Business Development at Sagen, Kiki is responsible for developing and executing sales strategies for key national lender relationships. In addition, her role is directly linked to increasing market share and brand awareness that supports the lending, real estate and building industries in Canada.   

  Kiki’s experience spans over 21 years with a proven record of success in sales, strategy development and relationship management at Sagen (formerly known (as Genworth Canada). She volunteers her time by leading Sagen’s relationship with Habitat for Humanity GTA.   In 2015, she elevated her commitment to women shelters nationally and now serves as Chair of the Board of Directors with Royal LePage’s Shelter Foundation.  

  Kiki originally hails from Nova Scotia, and attended Dalhousie University where she earned her MBA in 1994.  Previously, she has taught a marketing course for Nippising University.  In her spare time, she relaxes by playing hockey, painting, and spending time with her husband and two children…when they are home from university!    

   

• 4:15 PM

  Closing remarks from chairperson

  

  Leanne Conroy

  Regional Sales Director
  MCAN Home Mortgage

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  Leanne Conroy

  Regional Sales Director
  MCAN Home Mortgage

  Leanne Conroy is a celebrated leader and expert in the alternative lending sector, having garnered numerous awards for her work. She has dedicated 15 years to the mortgage industry, with eight of those years focused on alternative lending. Leanne is a sought-after source for market trend analysis, training, and education within the industry.

  Leanne is also an ardent advocate for supporting women in the mortgage industry, actively working to promote gender diversity and empower female professionals. Her efforts to create an inclusive environment extend to her personal life, where she champions a balanced approach to work, life, and well-being. As a yoga instructor, Leanne offered free online classes during the pandemic and remains committed to her community by volunteering with organizations like the YMCA. She also serves as a co-leader of the Northern Ontario Lenders Association, cultivating collaboration and growth within the mortgage sector.