Her Story
About Filiz
Filiz Ozer is Head of Partnerships at Likety, a lender in the merchant cash advance space, a role she stepped into in January 2026. She works closely with broker partners who help small business owners access capital, partnering with the underwriting team to turn those relationships into funding that keeps businesses moving forward, whether they're scaling up or simply weathering a rough stretch. 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 strategy and partnerships tied to the company's new construction segment.
Beyond her day-to-day work, Ozer has long been invested in lifting up the people around her. She chaired Realtor.com's Inspiring Women's Resource Group, guiding it to a top ranking companywide under the News Corp umbrella through her focus on breaking down silos between departments and encouraging employees to grow past the boundaries of their job descriptions. 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 supported her family.
What sets Ozer apart is the philosophy she brings to leadership and relationship-building alike. She traces her drive back to staying anchored in her "why," which for her has always been family, and she's just as quick to point out that speaking up for what you believe in only matters if you're thoughtful about how that message reaches the person on the other end. Her guidance to women coming up in the industry echoes that same balance: bring genuine energy, ask real questions, and let relationships—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 always been my family. I believe everyone needs to know their own dangling carrot — the reason you get up every morning — and mine is my family, along with the co-workers who feel like family to me. 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 be saying the right thing, but if you don't consider how it lands on the person listening, it won't have the impact you intend. Tone and delivery matter just as much as the message itself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd tell young women entering this industry that it's really about the energy you bring. No matter your title or how you show up, success comes from leaning into the space, building lasting relationships, and staying open to learning by asking open-ended questions. Sales truly grows when it's built on a strong, genuine foundation — not ego, but connection.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see is helping small business owners navigate objections and get through cyclical slow periods when they need financing the most. At the same time, I see real opportunity in developing strong partnerships and helping teams recognize and grow the transferable skills they already have across roles.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is at the center of everything for me. Beyond that, I hold onto flexibility, clear prioritization of what truly matters, and the courage to speak up for the things I believe in — while always being thoughtful about how I deliver that message to others.
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