ABOUT


Make connections, discover ideas, and find solutions to our industry’s greatest challenges at Women in Mortgage Summit Canada – an inaugural in-person event designed to amplify the careers of women in mortgage. 

From fighting off fatigue and prioritizing women’s health, to novel approaches to business development and frameworks to advance your career, this event is tackling the issues that matter most, with the creative strategies that work.   

 Join us to break barriers and build bridges.

Why attend?

  • User Icon

    Enhance your career with skill-building leadership strategies  

  • Chat Icon

    Make meaningful connections and network with top mortgage professionals

  • Idea Icon

    Explore a new approach to business development and discover career-enhancing insights

  • Bytesize Portfolio Icon

    Find solutions to real challenges like women’s health taboos and fighting off fatigue

2023 SPEAKERS


Hali Noble
Hali Noble

Managing Director
Fisgard Asset Management Corporation

Tracy Valko
Tracy Valko

Principal Mortgage Broker/ CVO-Founder
Valko Financial

Daniela DeTommaso
Daniela DeTommaso

President
FCT

Christine Xu
Christine Xu

President
MoneyBroker Canada

Frances Hinojosa
Frances Hinojosa

CEO/Co-Founder/Mortgage Broker
Tribe Financial Group

Kyra Wong
Kyra Wong

SVP Insurance Products
DLCG

Natasha Alli
Natasha Alli

Regional Sales Manager, Excalibur
First National Financial LP

Ameera Ameerullah
Ameera Ameerullah

CEO, Lender, Broker
Canada Mortgage and Financial Group

Julie Angus
Julie Angus

Explorer, Scientist, & Bestselling Author

Kate Arviko
Kate Arviko

AVP, Network & Business Development
Verico

Zeynep Babir
Zeynep Babir

Director of Business Development, Sales
8Twelve Mortgage

Dalia Barsoum
Dalia Barsoum

Founder
StreetWise Mortgages

Tara Borle
Tara Borle

Mortgage Broker
Mortgage Architects 

Brenna Charles
Brenna Charles

Director of Business Development
FCT

Ivy Budisavljevic
Ivy Budisavljevic

Vice President, Business Development
Sagen

Leanne Conroy
Leanne Conroy

Director of Sales
MCAN

Vivianne Gauci
Vivianne Gauci

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

Meaghan Hastings
Meaghan Hastings

Founder, CEO, & Principal Broker
The Mortgage Coach

Veronica Love
Veronica Love

Senior Vice President, Corporate Development 
TMG The Mortgage Group 

Lee-Ann McEllister
Lee-Ann McEllister

Associate Director, Sales, Western Canada
MCAP

Dr. Nancy Ellen Miller
Dr. Nancy Ellen Miller

Founder
Insight Coaching

Christa Mitchell
Christa Mitchell

Chief Strategy Officer
Pineapple

Christelle Mwamba
Christelle Mwamba

Mortgage Agent
Mortgage Scout

Tiffany Pedersen
Tiffany Pedersen

Director, Western Canada Sales 
Strive Capital Corporation

Kerri Reed
Kerri Reed

Owner and Principal Broker
Premiere Mortgage

Tracey Robinson
Tracey Robinson

Principal, Relationship Management
FILOGIX

Livian Smith
Livian Smith

Mortgage Broker/Owner
Next Generation Mortgage

Sarah Strauss
Sarah Strauss

Mortgage Broker and Owner
The Place To Mortgage

Sherri Vanderleeuw
Sherri Vanderleeuw

Vice President, Marketing​
Magenta Capital Corporation

2023 AGENDA


All times in ET
  • Registration and breakfast 
  • Opening remarks from chairperson
    Hali Noble
    Hali Noble

    Managing Director
    Fisgard Asset Management Corporation

  • Opening Keynote: Rowboat in a hurricane: Dealing with change and unexpected setbacks

    Imagine surviving a hurricane with nothing more than a rowboat to shelter you. When Julie set off on a quest to become the first woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean from mainland to mainland this was not what she anticipated. But Julie soon realized that to succeed she’d not only need to deal with adversity and uncertainly, but embrace it and use it as an opportunity to grow and prosper. Julie shares techniques to deal with changing environments including altering our perception, preparing for the unexpected, assessing risks, and improving communication.

    Julie Angus
    Julie Angus

    Explorer, Scientist, & Bestselling Author

  • Fireside Chat: Breaking the boys club – A novel approach to business development as a woman

    In recent years, many traditional business development activities, like sporting events and client dinners, have shifted in priority, as clients re-evaluate their time and companies refresh their strategies. But where do we go from here? Due to the competitive nature of the market, business development still proves critical, but how can we approach it authentically and effectively as women, and what is proving effective these days? During this session, we will explore a novel approach to business development for women in the mortgage industry, aimed at breaking down barriers and leveling the playing field for long term success. 

    • Gender neutral ideas and tips on how to reframe your approach to business development 
    • Personal brand: Benefits of leveraging digital tools and social media to build your brand and expand your network beyond traditional industry channels 
    • Strategies for building relationships and creating a pipeline of business opportunities, such as targeting underserved or niche markets, and a culture of collaboration and support 
    • A look at natural relationship-building, rather than transactional incentives: remote group workshops, family-friendly activities, and more  
    • Discover fresh examples of business development best practices that work in a hybrid setting  
    Moderator
    Tracy Valko
    Tracy Valko

    Principal Mortgage Broker/ CVO-Founder
    Valko Financial

    Panelists
    Natasha Alli
    Natasha Alli

    Regional Sales Manager, Excalibur
    First National Financial LP

    Brenna Charles
    Brenna Charles

    Director of Business Development
    FCT

    Tiffany Pedersen
    Tiffany Pedersen

    Director, Western Canada Sales 
    Strive Capital Corporation

    Tracey Robinson
    Tracey Robinson

    Principal, Relationship Management
    FILOGIX

  • Networking coffee break
  • Candid conversation: Fighting fatigue – How to remain on top of your game

    With competing priorities and stressful working environments, many managers and executives are experiencing various levels of burnout. How can we prioritize wellbeing, and in turn, create a culture of empathy and support? This session will discuss strategies to fight fatigue, boost resilience, and focus on self-care and mental wellbeing to lead by example.  

    • What are the best strategies for fighting fatigue, and how can we develop them?  
    • How can managers and organizations encourage and prioritize a culture that supports wellbeing?  
    • Overcoming common challenges such as time management, multiple responsibilities, and burnout  
    Moderator
    Meaghan Hastings
    Meaghan Hastings

    Founder, CEO, & Principal Broker
    The Mortgage Coach

    Panelists
    Leanne Conroy
    Leanne Conroy

    Director of Sales
    MCAN

    Sarah Strauss
    Sarah Strauss

    Mortgage Broker and Owner
    The Place To Mortgage

    Kate Arviko
    Kate Arviko

    AVP, Network & Business Development
    Verico

  • Guided wellness break
    Dr. Nancy Ellen Miller
    Dr. Nancy Ellen Miller

    Founder
    Insight Coaching

  • Panel: Let’s talk senior leadership – So you want a seat at the table?

    A leadership role is one that comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. To succeed in this position, female leaders must possess strong leadership abilities, be able to manage teams effectively, and have a deep understanding of the industry’s complexities. But what does a seat at the table really mean? How do you best determine your career goals and get to where you want to be? Learn from the experiences of three successful women on the corporate side, as they explore what it takes to have their voice in the conversation. 

    • Do titles really matter? Does leadership mean C-suite level? 
    • Challenges faced: Navigating the often-male-dominated corporate landscape, overcoming gender-based biases, and discrimination 
    • Building the confidence to ask for what you want 
    • How do you become an influencer? 
    • Moving on up: What does it take to get there? Where do you go from here? 
    Moderator
    Daniela DeTommaso
    Daniela DeTommaso

    President
    FCT

    Panelists
    Vivianne Gauci
    Vivianne Gauci

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

    Christa Mitchell
    Christa Mitchell

    Chief Strategy Officer
    Pineapple

    Kyra Wong
    Kyra Wong

    SVP Insurance Products
    DLCG

  • Networking lunch
  • Panel: Navigating mentoring and sponsorship as the workplace evolves

    Leveraging the support of different mentors throughout your career is widely acknowledged as pivotal to success, but how have approaches to mentorship changed in the hybrid workplace? Sponsorship is equally important for career progression, but how can remote working leaders overcome proximity bias to remain visible for opportunities? Do you have someone advocating for you and your career aspirations? This panel will navigate traditional and alternative routes to mentoring and sponsorship in a hybrid workplace.    

    • Mentoring vs sponsorship – how to know which type of support you need or should offer  
    • The importance of creating a network of supportive and like-minded professionals, including women in leadership and peers 
    • Best practices to maximize the benefits of mentoring relationships   
    • Optimizing mentoring relationships in a hybrid workplace – how has mentoring changed since the pandemic?   
    • From referrals to external mentorship programs to reverse mentoring: How to find the best fit in mentoring relationships   
    Moderator
    Veronica Love
    Veronica Love

    Senior Vice President, Corporate Development 
    TMG The Mortgage Group 

    Panelists
    Lee-Ann McEllister
    Lee-Ann McEllister

    Associate Director, Sales, Western Canada
    MCAP

    Christelle Mwamba
    Christelle Mwamba

    Mortgage Agent
    Mortgage Scout

    Livian Smith
    Livian Smith

    Mortgage Broker/Owner
    Next Generation Mortgage

    Sherri Vanderleeuw
    Sherri Vanderleeuw

    Vice President, Marketing​
    Magenta Capital Corporation

  • Speed networking

    Expand your network, make connections, and meet fellow delegates in a structured networking session. 

  • Networking coffee break
  • Panel: Empowering women in mortgage: Successful broker owners & their journey to leadership

    In a mortgage industry that has been traditionally male-dominated, women are still underrepresented in leadership positions and women-owned businesses are still a minority. Women brokers continue to face a range of challenges from gender bias, limited access to resources, and managing work-life balance. Join this panel of successful women mortgage brokers, as they share personal experiences and insights on navigating the obstacles they have faced in the industry, along with practical tips that have helped them to build and grow their businesses.  

    • Success stories and best practices from successful female broker owners 
    • How to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in mortgage 
    • Advice for navigating bias or discrimination from colleagues, clients, and other industry stakeholders 
    • Balancing work and family responsibilities as a broker owner 
    • Financial barriers that may prevent growth and scaling a business, such as difficulty accessing capital or funding 
    Moderator
    Tara Borle
    Tara Borle

    Mortgage Broker
    Mortgage Architects 

    Panelists
    Dalia Barsoum
    Dalia Barsoum

    Founder
    StreetWise Mortgages

    Frances Hinojosa
    Frances Hinojosa

    CEO/Co-Founder/Mortgage Broker
    Tribe Financial Group

    Kerri Reed
    Kerri Reed

    Owner and Principal Broker
    Premiere Mortgage

    Christine Xu
    Christine Xu

    President
    MoneyBroker Canada

  • Accelerating your career – The latest scoop on skills development

    The industry is rapidly changing, and leaders need to be at the forefront to deliver business objectives. How can you ensure you and your team are performing at your best through self-driven learning and development? This fireside chat on skills development will discuss strategies to develop capabilities and skillsets for career advancement.   

    • What are the top 3 emerging leadership skills, and how can we develop them?   
    • How can managers and executives encourage and prioritize learning and development for themselves and their teams?   
    • Overcoming challenges, such as leading inclusively and authentically in a hybrid environment, juggling multiple responsibilities, and collaboration between multi-generational teams   
    • Tips on how to take the next step in your career  
    Moderator
    Ivy Budisavljevic
    Ivy Budisavljevic

    Vice President, Business Development
    Sagen

    Panelists
    Ameera Ameerullah
    Ameera Ameerullah

    CEO, Lender, Broker
    Canada Mortgage and Financial Group

    Zeynep Babir
    Zeynep Babir

    Director of Business Development, Sales
    8Twelve Mortgage

  • Closing remarks from chairperson
    Hali Noble
    Hali Noble

    Managing Director
    Fisgard Asset Management Corporation

2023 SPONSORS


Gold Sponsors

  • 8Twelve Mortgage Corp.
  • Canada Mortgage and Financial Group

Silver Sponsors

  • Canadian Mortgages Inc.
  • Community Trust
  • Haventree Bank
  • HomeEquity Bank
  • Magenta Capital Corporation
  • MCAN Home Mortgage Corporation
  • Mortgage District
  • Mortgage Coach
  • Optimum Mortgage

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS

  • MCAP
  • Mortgage Alliance Company
  • New Haven Mortgage
  • RiverRock Mortgage Investment Company
  • Sagen
  • Tribe Financial
  • Vantage Law

MEDIA PARTNER

  • WIMI

2023 VENUE


Lennox Hall Toronto

TRAVEL PLANS

Preferred Accommodation

Hotel room rates are subject to all applicable taxes and fees. Rooms are subject to availability in each hotel from May 30 to June 2. We recommend that you book as soon as possible or 45 days before the event at the latest. 

Courtyard Toronto Downtown 

475 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1X7 

Book your group rate by calling line +1 416- 924-0611. Use the group name Women in Mortgage Summit Canada to secure the discounted rate.

Room rate: $365.00 plus tax CAD per room/night
Cut-off date: May 2, 2023
Check in: 4pm Check out: 12pm 

Courtyard Toronto Downtown 

The Hazelton Hotel

118 Yorkville Avenue Toronto, ON M5R 1C2

Book your group rate by emailing [email protected]. Use the group name Women in Mortgage Summit Canada to secure the discounted rate.

Room rate: Guaranteed discount of 20% on the current rate at the time of guest booking
Cut-off date: May 1, 2023
Check in: 4pm Check out: 12pm 

The Hazelton Hotel

THANKS FOR TAKING PART IN WOMEN IN MORTGAGE SUMMIT CANADA 2023

Missed this year’s event? Register your interest to participate in the next Women in Mortgage Summit Canada

CONTACT US


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