Anna Ruotolo
Anna Ruotolo is a seasoned mortgage professional and Branch Manager at Synergy One Lending, licensed in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Washington. With over 40 years of experience as a Mortgage Advisor, Branch Manager, and Home Financing Expert, Anna is dedicated to helping families and first-time homebuyers achieve their dreams of homeownership. She is known for her commitment to exceptional customer service, operational excellence, and fostering strong, trustworthy relationships with her clients and colleagues.
As a Stage 3 cancer survivor and first-generation American born to Italian immigrant parents, Anna brings resilience, empathy, and gratitude to both her personal and professional life. Her journey has shaped her approach to guiding clients through the often-complex mortgage process, ensuring they feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way. Anna is passionate about mentoring professionals in the lending industry and educating first-time buyers to make sound financial decisions.
Beyond her career, Anna cherishes her family life with her husband, Dave, and their two sons, Nick and Brandon. She enjoys working out, reading, gardening, savoring fine wine, and spending time with her pet chicken, Lenzi, a beloved stress reliever. Anna’s combination of expertise, heart, and dedication makes her a trusted advisor and leader in the mortgage industry.
• California Bureau of Real Estate
• NMLS
• San José State University
• Featured in Top Agent Magazine
• Women of Distinction
• Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce
• Pleasanton Downtown Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to integrity, consistency, and a commitment to doing the right thing for my clients, even in challenging market conditions. Over 42 years in the mortgage industry, I’ve built a career mentoring hundreds of loan officers, leading successful branches, and helping families achieve homeownership. What began as a receptionist job turned into a lifelong passion for guiding clients and developing ethical, high-performing teams.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to “teach people, don’t sell to them.” That guidance shaped my approach to every client and team member, emphasizing mentorship, education, and building long-term relationships—principles that have helped me develop many successful loan officers over the years.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay authentic and lead with integrity. Be yourself, learn the guidelines, stay consistent, and don’t get discouraged by market ups and downs—you can absolutely succeed without sacrificing your family or your values.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I see in my field is buyer education—helping people understand affordability, set realistic expectations, and navigate the steps to homeownership. At the same time, there are great opportunities, especially with the growing number of first-time homebuyers. By improving financial literacy and homebuyer education, we can help more families achieve their dreams and strengthen our communities.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, education, and community are at the heart of both my work and personal life. Professionally, I prioritize honesty with clients, responsible lending, and making sure families can truly afford the homes they purchase. Personally, I value a grounded lifestyle—morning workouts with my women’s group for the past 14 years, gardening, caring for my chicken, and spending quality time with my grown children.