Jennifer Lubbert

I attribute my success to my unique background that spans the full life cycle of the mortgage, real estate, and structured finance industry. What differentiates me is that I've actually sat in full life cycle seats, while the industry is very siloed. I've worked in lending, servicing, aggregation, asset management, investment banks, hedge funds, and REITs. I worked three jobs to put myself through college, and everything that I've earned, I've earned literally on my own. I've built and grown over time through all those different cycles. I also believe that relationships are the core of longevity in this business, so growing your network is important, maintaining your network is extremely important, and navigating complex situations is critical. I didn't go to an Ivy League university, and I don't believe that you need to be an Ivy League graduate to ascend into a CEO role in mortgage and asset finance.

The best career advice I have ever received is that you can build a successful career while also making a meaningful impact on the lives of others and the broader industry. That perspective has guided me throughout my career and has shaped how I approach leadership, innovation, and decision making. It reinforced my belief that success is not only measured by professional achievement, but also by the ability to create opportunities, solve real problems, and contribute positively to the market and the people it serves. This philosophy has been reflected in my work and recognition across the industry, including being featured in Mortgage Women Magazine, Mortgage Banker Magazine, and HousingWire, as well as being named a 2025 Mortgage Woman of Inspiration.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to develop a strong voice early and use it consistently, even in environments where you may be the minority in the room. Build a strong professional network intentionally, as relationships and reputation are critical in mortgage and structured finance, and they often open doors that credentials alone do not. Seek out opportunities to learn every part of the business, stay curious, and do not be afraid to take on complex or challenging roles that stretch your skill set. I also encourage active participation in industry discussions, conferences, and interactive webinars, particularly those focused on addressing the challenges women face in financial services, as visibility and engagement are key to long term growth and influence in the field.

The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field today are driven by market volatility, regulatory complexity, and the increasing need for scalable, transparent, and technology enabled solutions across mortgage and structured finance. Rising interest rates, liquidity constraints, and litigation and compliance risks continue to pressure lenders, investors, and servicers, requiring stronger risk management and more disciplined execution. At the same time, innovation in data, automation, and AI is transforming origination, servicing, and capital markets functions, creating significant opportunity for firms that can adapt quickly and responsibly. There is also continued growth in Non QM, business purpose lending, and alternative credit structures, where integrated end to end platforms across origination, due diligence, servicing oversight, loss mitigation, and capital markets execution offer a clear competitive advantage. Throughout my career, I have been involved in multiple first of their kind initiatives, and that ongoing innovation reflects the broader opportunity in the industry to continually redefine how capital is structured, managed, and deployed.

My core values in both my work and personal life center on making a meaningful and lasting impact by improving systems, expanding access, and creating practical solutions that move industries forward. I value innovation grounded in real world execution, reflected in my work bringing transformative financial structures to market, including being part of the first hedge fund issuance of residential mortgage backed securities with a AAA rating using a novel five year capital structure that later became an industry standard. I also place strong importance on merit, resilience, and opportunity, and I believe success and leadership are not defined by pedigree but by discipline, experience, and execution, demonstrating that non Ivy League professionals can rise to CEO level roles in mortgage and asset finance through persistence, expertise, and results driven leadership.