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The HousingWire award spotlight series highlights the individuals and organizations that have been recognized through our Editors’ Choice Awards. Nominations for HousingWire’s 2025 Marketing Leaders award are open now through April 30, 2025. Click here to nominate a Marketing Leader.
HousingWire’s Marketing Leaders award honors standout marketing executives driving innovation, strategy, and brand growth across the housing industry. These leaders not only shape the perception of their organizations — they also help define what marketing means in one of the most vital sectors of the U.S. economy.
To celebrate the legacy of this recognition, we asked past honorees to reflect on what sets marketing in apart in mortgage and real estate — and what advice they would give future leaders as they rise up in their current roles.
“In an industry as close-knit as ours, it’s critical for brands to be both authentic and innovative. I call this Authenovative Marketing. Authenticity should drive everything, from a client-focused mission and customer-centric examples that convey actual value and ROI, to proven and modern technology that forms the backbone of a lender’s business.”— Sara Holtz, Chief Marketing Officer at Optimal Blue
“I would encourage future marketing professionals to keep in mind the significant impact we get to make on people everyday. From our broker partners who are small business owners contributing to their local communities to their individual borrowers and families making one of the biggest financial decisions of their life, our role at the end of the day is helping others turn dreams into opened doors, futures secured and legacies built.” — Bridget McKinley, VP, Digital Marketing at United Wholesale Mortgage
“Marketing here isn’t just marketing. While the core tactics may look similar across industries, what truly sets housing and mortgage apart is the deep sense of community and purpose behind the work.” — Courtney Dodd, Head of Marketing at Floify
“For all marketers, brand strategists and communicators, don’t just tell a great story – empower the business to live up to it. Align closely across the various departments in your organization – sales, product, operations and more – to truly understand what moves the needle for the people you are serving. Then illustrate and communicate those learnings with clarity, urgency and empathy to build trust and a brand that lasts. — Kristie Vainikos Stegen, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Cotality
