Women in mortgage: How can they forge ahead?

Top executive on the best ways for women to find their voices in the industry

Women in mortgage: How can they forge ahead?

The mortgage industry may once have been viewed as something of a boys-only club – but that’s no longer the case, with a plethora of inspirational women blazing their own trail in recent times and chipping steadily away at that perception.

While there’s plenty of work still to be done in ensuring as representative and equitable an industry as possible, there’s no questioning the strides that have been made over the years, with women featuring as some of the most prominent and esteemed executives across the mortgage space.

For Hali Noble (pictured top), managing director at Fisgard Asset Management Corporation, the importance of strong representation for women in the industry can’t be overstated – not least because of the often-unique qualities and views they bring to the table when it comes to strategy, decision-making and business-building.

“Women often have a very different perspective on what is important to their business, how to achieve their personal and career goals, and thrive on being part of a community with common challenges,” Noble told Canadian Mortgage Professional.

Finding that voice and forging ahead in the industry can be easier said than done, particularly for newcomers and those starting out on their mortgage journey – whether that be in the realm of lending or brokering.

For Noble, the best thing a young woman in the industry can do to build themselves up and establish a foothold is learning from those who’ve been there and done that already, as well as taking as inquisitive an approach as possible to their job.

“Be curious,” she said. “Ask questions – lots and lots of questions. Find a mentor or group of individuals that share information and keep each other motivated.”

Women in Mortgage Summit returning to Toronto in June

Women are a community in the mortgage industry, a group whose abilities to relate through shared experiences, lean on each other in times of challenge and success, and provide advice and guidance are all indispensable parts of helping drive the mortgage industry toward equality.

Those themes are all set to come to the fore during Canadian Mortgage Professional’s upcoming Women in Mortgage Summit Canada, a full-day event scheduled to take place at The Carlu Toronto on June 5 welcoming women from across the industry to discuss the pressing issues of the day.

Canada’s leading female executives and mortgage industry changemakers will take to the stage on a day aimed at helping women forge powerful connections, navigate industry challenges, and find new inspiration and ways to build business and advance their careers.

Noble will moderate a Leaders’ Briefing morning session on mortgage market insights, revealing key updates and providing data-driven insights on industry challenges and the opportunities they can create.

“Our panelist and myself will discuss what we can expect over the next year in Canada’s economy – specifically what key factors will affect the mortgage industry and how we can prepare ourselves and our clients,” she said. “It should be very interesting.”

That discussion will be a timely one, with uncertainty continuing to swirl around Canada’s economic outlook as well as the question of when interest rates will fall in 2024 and by how far.

What else is on the agenda for the Women in Mortgage Summit?

Other sessions are set to include a speed networking opportunity – allowing attendees to expand their network and meet fellow delegates during three brief rounds – and a panel on empowering women in the mortgage industry and building the community.

The evolving impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the mortgage industry will be another hot topic, while a panel of leading female executives will gather after lunch to discuss industry challenges and how women can adapt to a changing and challenging landscape.

For Noble, the value of the event for women in the industry is clear – not least for the promise of allowing them to come together as a community and share ideas on forging ahead as mortgage professionals.

“Attending this event provides attendees with an opportunity to network with their colleagues, learn from some of our industry’s most experienced and knowledgeable professionals,” she said, “and as the event titles states, ‘Connect as a Community.’”

Stay tuned for all the latest as the countdown continues to our Women in Mortgage Summit – and be sure to register for the unmissable industry event here.