MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND OPERATIONS TRACK: Making Successful Connections

Director, FICO

Michael Singer serves as Director of Marketing for FICO, where he is focused on outreach to mortgage and secondary market clients. A seasoned marketing communications professional, his career has included marketing leadership positions with Fannie Mae, where he served as senior brand manager, the Urban Land Institute, where he was vice president of marketing and public relations, and the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, where he was associate director of marketing. He began his career in financial services marketing at GEICO. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago.

CEO, Lighthouse Advisors

Laura Brandao is a visionary leader in the mortgage industry, dedicated to empowering others to reach their highest potential. As the CEO of Lighthouse Advisors, LLC, a national mortgage consulting firm, she provides executive oversight, fractional C-Suite services, and strategic partnerships to elevate companies to their peak performance. Laura's belief that "an outside perspective provides the clearest vision" drives her commitment to guiding organizations toward success. Beyond her role at Lighthouse Advisors, Laura is deeply committed to serving the mortgage community. She chairs NAMMBA's Visionary program and the MBA-NJ Women’s Committee, and serves on the board of MBA-NJ. Additionally, she is the Chair of Women with Vision and contributes to the NAMB DEI committee.

CRA Program Development Manager, Fifth Third Bank

Nikki Bialka has been a dynamic and influential professional in the banking and mortgage industry since 2009. Over the years, she has accumulated extensive experience in various capacities, including production, operations, site pipeline management, project management, optimization, change management, and customer journey enhancement. Her comprehensive expertise has enabled her to excel in her current role at Fifth Third Bank, where she leads community lending initiatives with a focus on affordable housing and equitable lending solutions. Throughout her career, Nikki has demonstrated a keen ability to streamline operations and optimize workflows, significantly improving efficiency and productivity within the organizations she has served. Her adeptness in change management has been pivotal in navigating the evolving landscape of the mortgage industry, ensuring that her teams are well-equipped to meet new challenges and seize emerging opportunities. Additionally, Nikki leverages data to drive go-to-market strategies, ensuring that her initiatives are grounded in robust analysis and tailored to meet market demands effectively. Nikki’s strategic acumen is particularly evident in her current position, where she is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that promote affordable housing and equitable lending. Her efforts are aimed at creating sustainable financial solutions that address the needs of underserved communities, thereby fostering greater financial inclusion and stability. In addition to her professional achievements, Nikki is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Affordable Homeownership Advisory Council. She also serves on the advisory board for the Homeownership Council of America’s Equity Certified program and the board of directors for the Homeownership Center of Greater Cincinnati. She is a leader in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) Project REACh, an initiative focused on expanding access to financial services for historically marginalized groups. Through these roles, she contributes her expertise to shape policies and practices that enhance financial inclusion and support community development.

Vice President, Homeownership Council of America

Don joined HCA in 2022 as a Vice-President. Don is responsible for HCA’s Equity DPA program. Don has more than 20 years of mortgage operations experience. Don is a motivating leader with a long history of building mortgage departments and developing team production. Don specializes in identifying operational issues and finding innovative solutions for them. Don excels at building relationships and collaborating across sectors to unite HCA’s partners in their shared goals. Before joining HCA, Don served as Director of Lending for NHS of NYC. He has also held many positions in mortgage banking, including First Republic Bank, Equity Mortgage, and the Clayton Group. Don has a BA in Organizational Leadership from Biola University. Don has certifications in Credit Risk Management from American School of Mortgage Banking and Fair Lending and Compliance from National Training Institute. Don also has accreditation in Theology from Oxford University. Don’s affiliations include United Nations Association, National Mortgage Bankers of America, National Coaches Alliance, National Minority Mortgages Association, and National Speaker Bureau of NYC.

Managing Director, NFM Lending

Greg Sher joined NFM in 1999 as a loan originator and worked his way up to Head of Business Development before opening up his own company, Citizens Lending Group in early 2003. After nearly 7 successful years as a correspondent lender, Sher rejoined NFM in July 2009, along with 106 of his employees, many of whom remain with NFM to this day, including several key department heads. During his tenure as Managing Partner, Sher had a hand in building the Influencer Division, Recruiting and Marketing departments from the ground up. In late 2015, he created the NFM Salute, which recognizes current and former military members every month for their service. Through the NFM Salute, NFM has donated several hundred thousand dollars to multiple veteran-related charities. In 2017, Sher created and launched “NFM TV,” which quickly gained recognition as a national leader in mortgage-related interviews and video content.

President & COO, FinLocker

Brian is passionate about financial literacy and empowering lenders with digital financial tools to attract, engage, and retain customers. His 30+ years executive career in mortgage banking has positioned him to help lenders execute an embedded finance strategy, transitioning from a transaction focus to one of continuous consumer engagement. Brian co-authored the book Rethink Everything: You Know About Being A Next Gen Loan Officer, which has solidified his reputation as a thought leader within the mortgage industry. He is also a regular contributor on LinkedIn, where he shares his insights and expertise. Brian began his mortgage banking career with Source One Mortgage, which was acquired by CitiMortgage. He went on to hold executive leadership roles at prominent lending institutions, most recently leading the TPO channels at Flagstar Bank. In 2005, Brian attained the Mortgage Bankers Association industry designation of Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB). He is an alumnus of Michigan State University, a former RESBOG member, and co-chair of the MBA Wholesale Executive Forum. Brian is an active board member for Axis 360 Lift and an advisory board member for the Broker Action Coalition.

CEO Mortgage Division, Windsor Mortgage a Division of Plains Commerce Bank

Chris Vinson is a dynamic leader reshaping the mortgage industry with a focus on innovation, mentorship, and growth. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Mortgage Division at Plains Commerce Bank, Chris has built a team responsible for thousands of originations monthly, while maintaining a strong commitment to customer experience and leveraging cutting-edge technology. His leadership has helped secure over 25 percent regional market share and earned Plains Commerce Bank recognition as Sioux Falls’ Local Best Mortgage Company annually since 2013. In 2017, Chris expanded his influence by founding Windsor Mortgage, now one of the top 10 wholesale mortgage companies in the U.S. At Windsor, he continues to mentor CEOs, Account Executives, and Loan Originators nationwide, fostering success across the industry. Chris’ approach centers on empowering mortgage professionals to take control of their careers, blending strategic leadership with personal development. His belief in helping others achieve their best defines his leadership, both at work and in life. As a husband and father, his commitment to family drives his passion for mentoring others, ensuring their success in both personal and professional arenas. Chris’ guiding philosophy: Success isn’t about what you accomplish; it’s about what you inspire others to do.