MBA Names Rachel Kelley Vice President of Legislative Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 28, 2023) – The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) announced today that Rachel Kelley has been named Vice President of Legislative Affairs. In her new role, Kelley will be responsible for advocating on behalf of MBA's legislative and policy priorities on Capitol Hill, with a primary focus on Republican members of the United States House of Representatives. Kelley had previously served as Associate Vice President of Political Affairs at MBA.  

“Rachel is passionate about political advocacy and real estate finance and has led a number of successful advocacy and fundraising campaigns at MBA, at other related industry trade groups, as a consultant, and while serving in key roles at the Republican National Committee and National Republican Senatorial Committee,” said Bill Killmer, MBA's Chief Lobbyist and Senior Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs. “Her proven track record mobilizing support will add a unique dimension to our direct lobbying team. I am confident her deep relationships on Capitol Hill will generate successful legislative outcomes for MBA and its members.”  

Kelley joined MBA in 2021 as Associate Vice President of Political Affairs, where she led efforts to increase MBA’s Political Action Committee (MORPAC) footprint and grow its Mortgage Action Alliance (MAA) grassroots program to a membership level of more than 65,000 industry professionals. During the 2021-2022 election cycle, Kelley led member engagement efforts that raised nearly $3,050,000 in individual donations, putting MORPAC among the top 10 national trade association PAC in both total fundraising receipts and contributions distributed.

Before joining MBA, Kelley held political fundraising roles at CLT Host 2020, Inc, the Republican National Committee, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Prior to that, Kelley lobbied and helped manage the PAC for ICSC (formerly known as the International Council of Shopping Centers) and was a lobbyist at a multiclient firm specializing in business development and education appropriation grants for community colleges and technology companies and organizations. She also worked previously in political affairs at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) after beginning her career working in the office of former U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL). 

Kelley holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Political Science from the University of Alabama.