INNOVATIVE OPERATIONS TRACK: How Fraud is Influencing Deals: Navigating Risks in Today’s Market
Fraud has become critical in influencing business operations and decision-making in the commercial real estate market. This session will explore how fraudulent activities influence transactions, disrupt traditional deal structures, and impact business strategies. Industry experts will discuss fraud’s effects on business operations, share red flags to watch for, and provide actionable strategies for minimizing risk. Attendees will better understand how fraud influences how businesses approach deals and learn to adapt their operations to this evolving threat landscape.
Speakers
Moderator
Adam Fox is a senior director in Fitch Ratings’ U.S. CMBS group. His primary areas of expertise are commercial mortgage servicing and U.S. commercial securitization. Adam is currently responsible for Fitch’s North American commercial mortgage servicing group and leads a team of three analysts covering approximately 45 commercial mortgage servicers. In addition, he maintains an active role in new issuance and surveillance commercial securitization rating reviews as well as European servicer evaluations. Prior to his current position, Adam led a team of five associates who perform CMBS surveillance and authored a variety of research and criteria reports. Adam was previously director of data management at CRIIMI MAE where he spent seven years. During his tenure at CRIIMI MAE, he worked with t
Speakers
As the Senior Director of Fraud, AML AND OFAC Compliance, Lindsey leads the Financial Crimes team in Freddie Mac’s Multifamily Division, where she manages the investigation, governance and operations of the team. Her team investigates potential suspicious activity associated with any multifamily loan, sponsor or lender and is responsible for complying with BSA, FinCEN and FHFA regulations. Ms. Bass and her team continually work with FHFA, FHFA-OIG and other law enforcement on fraud, AML, OFAC and related matters. Through conducting investigations, her team identifies fraud trends and recommends enhancements to business processes and the Freddie Mac Multifamily Seller/Servicer Guide. Prior to her time at Freddie Mac, Lindsey was a Director with Wachovia National Bank/Wells Fargo, where she held various roles within CMBS and LIHTC Asset Management and Treasury Relationship Management. From 2010-2013, Lindsey joined the executive management team of a multifamily owner/operator, Ginkgo Residential. She served as the Executive Director of Development and Third-Party Management business. In many of these prior roles, her responsibilities included assessing potential fraud and AML/OFAC risks related to multifamily sponsors and property operations.
Sharon leads Greystone’s servicing and asset management division and oversees Investor Reporting; Custodial Accounting; Loan Administration; Securities and Documentation Management; and Asset Management. She previously served as CFO of the company’s servicing and lending platforms. Greystone’s $75 billion portfolio of loans is serviced for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, USDA, and other investors, and has maintained the highest rating from all the rating agencies. Prior to joining Greystone in 2005, Sharon was an Executive Vice President at Wells Fargo where she was the Director of Agency Servicing. She has also held senior roles at AMI Capital Inc., Prudential Multifamily Mortgage, and Capri Capital (formerly Washington Capital). Sharon earned a Bachelor’s degree from George Washington University.
Leeza Duong is a Managing Director in Corporate and Investment Banking’s (CIB’s) Multifamily Capital (MFC) group. Leeza is a Commercial Real Estate Underwriting Director for MFC in addition to being the Development Officer for the group. Leeza specializes in underwriting and credit review for Multifamily Capital (Freddie/Fannie execution) which includes a wide array of properties including traditional and mix use apartments, mobile home parks, student housing and senior housing along with affordable properties and balance sheet lending offered by MFC. Her previous experience and market expertise includes Real Estate Capital Markets (CMBS), Balance Sheet Lending (Construction and Perm), and Commercial Mortgage Asset Management. As the group’s Development Officer, she focuses on recruiting, retaining, and engaging Interns and Analysts. In addition to her core business responsibilities, Leeza has participated in Fannie Mae’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, Future Housing Leader, and various Wells Fargo sponsored volunteer events. Leeza joined Wells Fargo in 2001 working as an Underwriter for CMBS. She started her career at Bank of America working in San Diego and London. Leeza earned a bachelor’s degree from Chapman University in Orange, CA.
Cory serves as Chief Technology Officer for BWE and is responsible for managing and designing BWE’s infrastructure, security and HR & Financial applications capabilities. Cory delivers IT strategy and roadmaps to BWE’s Senior Management while supporting business operations and initiatives. With over 25 years of IT experience, Cory came to BWE with a successful record of accomplishment in broad performance management including finance, security, mergers & acquisitions, enterprise architecture, infrastructure, IT operations and software development. At AmTrust Financial, a Fortune 500 company, he was Vice President over global IT teams. Prior to AmTrust Cory was a consultant for CDW focused on data center and recovery technologies. Cory holds an MBA in Information Technology and a CISSP.
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