Her Story
About Melissa
Melissa Korda serves as Vice President of Originations at Dunmor and is a real estate investor specializing in investment financing from her base in Renton, Washington. She works with real estate investors across the country, providing direct lending solutions for fix-and-flip projects, new construction, DSCR loans, multifamily properties, cash-out refinances, and other investment opportunities. As a licensed mortgage professional (NMLS #2788913), Melissa is committed to delivering transparent, efficient financing solutions while helping clients make informed investment decisions through education and personalized guidance.
Melissa's professional journey began in athletics, where she competed in collegiate soccer before building a successful career in sports performance. She served as a strength and conditioning coach and athletic trainer for local NBA and WNBA teams before transitioning into leadership roles in the private fitness industry, including positions with premier health clubs. With aspirations of becoming a general manager, her career took an unexpected turn during the COVID-19 pandemic when she became a stay-at-home mother. Determined to create new opportunities while Washington remained under pandemic restrictions, Melissa entered the private lending industry in a remote role with a hard money lender. Her work ethic and determination quickly distinguished her, earning her a promotion to Loan Officer within nine months and advancing her to one of the company's top-producing originators within her first year. She later joined Dunmor, where she continues to help investors secure financing and grow their real estate portfolios.
Beyond her lending expertise, Melissa is passionate about education, mentorship, and increasing transparency within the real estate finance industry. She regularly hosts webinars, speaks at investor conferences, and shares practical insights on lending strategies, Opportunity Zones, construction financing, and best practices for evaluating lenders. Through initiatives such as The Lender Lowdown, she empowers borrowers and investors with the knowledge they need to navigate the lending process with confidence. Melissa is also passionate about encouraging women to pursue leadership roles in traditionally male-dominated industries, using her own journey as an example of resilience, adaptability, and the power of believing in one's potential.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melissa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to faith, determination, and an unwavering belief that I was created for a greater purpose. Growing up in poverty and facing cultural expectations that encouraged me to limit my ambitions only strengthened my resolve to build a different future for myself and my family. From an early age, I learned the importance of resilience, embracing change, and finding opportunity in every challenge. I have always been willing to adapt, pivot when necessary, and pursue growth with purpose, and my passion for taking on meaningful challenges continues to drive both my personal and professional success.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to tune out the noise and focus on what truly matters—your knowledge, preparation, and confidence. Invest in learning everything you can about your field, understand the environment you're stepping into, and prepare thoroughly for every opportunity by researching the people, organizations, and challenges you'll encounter. Strive to be the most informed person in the room, not to prove yourself, but to build genuine confidence. When you are well prepared, your expertise will speak for itself, allowing you to lead with authenticity, presence, and credibility.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges in my industry is the information gap between borrowers and lenders. Too often, borrowers and investors lack the knowledge they need to make fully informed decisions, while important information is not always communicated as transparently as it should be. This imbalance can create confusion and erode trust within the lending process. To help address this issue, I created The Lender Lowdown, a free educational webinar series designed to provide honest, practical insights, empower consumers with knowledge, and promote greater transparency so everyone can navigate the lending process with confidence.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the foundation of everything I do, both professionally and personally. It guides my decisions, shapes my relationships, and is the core value I strive to instill in my family. Faith and family are equally important, providing the purpose and strength behind my work and life. I also believe in leading with confidence, embracing my abilities without diminishing myself to make others feel more comfortable. Staying true to my values and encouraging others to do the same has been essential to my personal growth and professional success.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.