Finally, Gated Communities proudly welcomes one of the most respected figures in the mortgage industry, the man who brought DEI to the forefront, and runs the largest minority-focused mortgage association in the United States: Tony Thompson, founder and CEO of NAMMBA, also known as the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America. Thompson shares his story, the origins of NAMMBA, and why inclusion is the key ingredient for companies to achieve more profitability with diversity. Why do some companies see increased profits when diversifying the c-suite while others don’t? Inclusion, Thompson said; they’re not bringing the I in DEI.

Broker owner and CEO of Blue Dolphin Capital, Sam Harris III, candidly explains his thoughts on why the mortgage industry continues to fail Black and other under-resourced borrowers as well as aspiring mortgage professionals, despite the amount of DEI initiatives being implemented by companies and associations nationwide. It’s because people aren’t being intentional with their initiatives, Harris said. When a company needs to cut costs to improve on margin, executives ruthlessly slash expenses wherever necessary. But when a company fails to reach DEI goals, they pat their own backs for trying and nothing changes.

Mauro Guzzo, CEO of Guzzo & Co., wants his company to become the McDonalds of the mortgage industry. By that he means he wants the same international presence as McDonalds, offering consumers familiarity and simplicity if they relocate or buy real estate internationally. Guzzo’s goal is to make the process easier for more consumers, who typically have difficulty with the language barrier as well as the different regulations and procedures for getting a mortgage. But in order to establish such a dominant presence, he must earn the trust of foreign banks, regulators, and sometimes politicians who may not even know what a brokerage is.