MBA’s Lisa Haynes, Charmaine Brown Recognized as DEI Leaders by National Diversity Council

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s Lisa J. Haynes and Charmaine Brown were recently recognized as leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion at the National Diversity Council’s four-day, virtual National Diversity & Leadership Conference, held this month.

NDC presented Haynes, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, with the Top 50 Financial Leaders Award; and Brown, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with the DEI Champion Award.

“Lisa and Charmaine have developed meaningful programs and initiatives that engage and inspire MBA members and staff,” said MBA President & CEO Robert Broeksmit, CMB. “I am proud to see their important work recognized by the National Diversity Council and know they will continue to work towards ensuring an equal playing field for all in the real estate finance industry.”

The National Diversity & Leadership Conference is one of the largest diversity conferences in the nation –offering networking opportunities, professional development, and critical conversations surrounding diversity and inclusion.

“I am honored to receive this award and to be recognized by the National Diversity Council,” Haynes said. “I have had the privilege of merging two passions into one role – finance and DEI. I look forward to continuing to develop strategies that will help MBA and its members execute on DEI.”

“Being recognized as a DEI Champion by the National Diversity Council is an incredible honor,” Brown said. “I know how important this work is to create a more diverse and inclusive real estate finance industry that provides equitable outcomes for those we serve.”  

In 2013, MBA established its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative and the DEI advisory committee, which focuses on developing internal and external strategies that bolster industry DEI efforts, with a specific emphasis on talent recruitment, retention and training.

MBA also offers an array of DEI programs and educational opportunities, including its Path to Diversity Scholarship program, which awards diverse industry professionals from MBA member companies seeking to advance their careers through MBA Education programs and courses. Furthermore, MBA offers a robust online DEI center that provides many resources for companies to create or improve their overall D&I strategy.

To learn about MBA’s DEI Initiative, click here.