Her Story
About Filiz
Filiz Ozer is Head of Partnerships at Likety, a Merchant Cash Advance Lender based in Southern California. She works closely with Brokers who help small business owners access capital, partnering with the underwriting team to turn those relationships into funding that keeps businesses moving forward. Her path to this position was built over two decades in sales, including roughly fifteen years spent leading teams, most recently at Realtor.com, where she spent nearly four years moving from National Sales Manager into senior roles overseeing Sales, Content Strategy, and Partnerships tied to the company's New Construction segment. Filiz has long been invested in lifting up the people around her. She served as Chair of Realtor.com’s Inspiring Women’s Employee Resource Group and played an active role in their Homegrown Talent Mentorship program, Employee Engagement Committee, and Diversity Council. Her impact extended across the broader News Corp organization, where she contributed to Mental Wellness initiatives. Throughout her involvement, she focused on breaking down silos between departments, strengthening cross-functional collaboration, and empowering employees to expand their skills and contributions beyond the traditional boundaries of their roles. That same instinct for mentorship carries into how she talks about her career today: she's candid about an unconventional detour into ultrasound school after having her first child, a chapter that reflected her curiosity about medical imaging before circumstances as a single parent brought her back to the sales career that had always helped to financially support her family. What sets Filiz apart is the care and philosophy she brings to leadership within each of her relationships: meeting people where they’re at to continue growing together. She traces her drive back to staying anchored in her "why," which for her has always been family. She’s just as quick to point out that speaking up for what you believe in matters, but highlights the importance of thoughtful delivery in how that message reaches those on the other side of the discussion and one’s ability to receive feedback with a solution-based mindset. Her guidance to teams coming up in the industry echoes that same balance: bring genuine energy, ask real questions, and let effort, not titles, do the heavy lifting. That approach has earned her recognition as part of the Influential Women Network's 2026 cohort representing Los Angeles.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Filiz
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to knowing my "why," and for me, that's my family. It’s repurposing the hardships we’ve endured to get to where we are today. I believe everyone needs to know their own dangling carrot that drives them forward throughout the cyclical highs and lows of changing seasons. Showing up for the people around me and building genuine relationships is at the core of everything I do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to keep fighting for what I believe in, but to always be mindful of how I deliver that message. You can advocate for the right thing, but it won’t win all battles if you don't consider how it lands on the “buy-in committee” that’s listening, sometimes putting you in a tougher position. Tone, delivery, and concise messaging matter in creating real impact on people who may have a different perspective or worldview from where they’re seated.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's really about the energy you bring to every arena. No matter your role, success comes from leaning into the space, staying open to learning things outside of your scope, and building lasting relationships by making people’s time feel valued. Ask open ended questions and listen to learn, not always to respond. Keep adding to your “toolkit”, sales truly grows when it's built on a strong, genuine foundation — not ego, but connection. The most basic skill of playing well together in a sandbox will substantially grow your network. Reach back and help others when and where you can, we’ll all stumble on the climb up and that’s part of the journey. Stay humble, stay hungry, elevate others, and allow yourself to be celebrated for your contributions, too.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see frontline sales wanting to help business owners but they have to earn the ability to truly advise them by connecting in a short period of time against a sea of endless opportunities in a digital age. The sales representatives have to confidently maintain control of the conversation by asking questions upfront to surface both the need for funding and potential objections that may come up at the time of closing a deal. It’s so important to have a clear understanding of what the merchant is trying to solve for because in this industry, the biggest opportunity for us is in retaining that relationship. A business to its owner is much like their child. It’s tireless work to continue growing beyond various challenges, especially when money is involved.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Presence. I hold onto flexibility, clear prioritization of what matters in each changing season, and the courage to speak up for the things I believe will help us as teams working together to serve others. Energy is contagious — feeling purposeful, valued, and seen not only keeps me motivated, but I believe it’s equally encouraging those around me in any space I take up. There will always be challenges, but seeing those as growth opportunities rather than through a negative lens will increase gratitude and the impact you can make to take us to greater heights together.
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