Diane Chudley

I attribute my success to resilience, longevity in the industry, and a deep commitment to maintaining strong professional relationships. Over the years, I have navigated layoffs, company closures, and industry shifts, yet I have consistently remained grounded in the work and naturally gravitated back to it because it is truly a part of my professional identity. I have learned that success in this field is not only about technical expertise, but also about perseverance and adaptability through change. Equally important, I have always believed in never burning bridges, as you never know when paths will cross again. That mindset of loyalty, respect, and long-term relationship-building has opened doors throughout my career and created lasting opportunities that have contributed significantly to my growth and success.

My dad taught me this when I got my first management job. It was really difficult, and he said, 'Just remember, not everybody knows everything that you do.' That perspective has shaped how I lead and mentor others. It reminds me that not everybody has the experience I do, and that everybody needs to start somewhere. You know, I've run across processors who say, 'I never really knew that,' and I understand everyone's learning. It's okay if they don't know everything yet. That advice helps me treat people fairly and with respect, and remember to be patient as a mentor and leader.

I believe you should do what you want to do and not let other people discourage you based on their opinions or the job market. People will always say something like a career isn't a 'good choice' or that things are too volatile, but I don't think anything is truly 100% secure unless you're in a very small set of professions like being a doctor, lawyer, dentist, or something similar like my son-in-law, who is an optometrist. For me, the only thing I know for certain is my faith. I am very faithful, I believe in God, and I pray daily. That's what gets me through everything. I trust that God will guide me, and I try to go with my gut, stay true to myself, and do what makes me happy. At the end of the day, if someone wants to be a paleontologist and go dig for dinosaur bones, and that's what truly makes them happy - and they can support themselves doing it - then they should do it. Because when you enjoy your work, it doesn't feel like just a daily grind or something you're suffering through. It makes a big difference when you're busy or working overtime and you still feel good about what you do. I think that's part of why many of us stay in our careers - we genuinely enjoy the work.

One of the biggest challenges I've faced in my career has been moving up into management. Many companies want recent management experience, which can make it tricky sometimes you end up doing both your regular work and management responsibilities simultaneously. In the past, career advancement often felt more straightforward, but today it requires proactive effort. To address that, I've been investing in my own development - taking LinkedIn courses and training in areas like payroll and HR - so I can bring more to the table and position myself for growth opportunities. Opportunities have also arisen through strong professional relationships. At my previous company, I worked with a senior VP for 20 years, moving across three companies within his builder division. His loyalty and mentorship created opportunities for me. He recognized my strengths in training and guiding new team members. As the assistant underwriting manager and team lead, I would mentor new loan officers after their initial training, walking them through the ins and outs of each file. This mentorship was very effective and personally rewarding. I genuinely enjoy guiding, teaching, and training others - but I also love underwriting itself. It's sometimes difficult to choose between focusing solely on training or continuing hands-on underwriting, because both bring me fulfillment.

Never to compromise how I do my job every day. I show up, give my best, and work hard, knowing that at the end of the day, I did everything I could. Even when I have to decline a loan or make a tough decision, I know I treated people fairly and with respect. I also remind myself that not everyone has the experience I do. Everyone has to start somewhere, and it's okay if they don't know everything yet. I've run across processors who say, 'I never really knew that,' and I understand - everyone's learning. My dad taught me this when I got my first management job: just remember, not everybody knows everything you do. That perspective has shaped how I lead and mentor others.