MBA Education Path to Diversity Scholar Profile: GRITT Founder Misti Snow
(One in a continuing series of profiles of participants in the MBA Education Path to Diversity (P2D) Scholarship Program, which enables employees from diverse backgrounds to advance their professional growth and career development.)
Misti Snow founded GRITT, San Diego, a consultancy company through which she provides her expertise within the operations, fintech and business administration spaces.
–Tell us about yourself
I’m the Founder of GRITT, where we provide fractional executive services to lenders, vendors, and executives in the mortgage industry.
My journey in the mortgage and real estate world spans 30 years. It all started at a job fair when I landed my first role as a loan processor at a small IMB called LoansDirect. Back then, loan processors were the go-to people in transactions, collaborating with various departments. This firsthand experience gave me a solid understanding of the business and its customers. I learned the ropes through an apprenticeship model, guided by mentors who taught me the importance of balancing quality, productivity, and great customer service.
As my career progressed, I stepped into a VP role at LoansDirect, which e*Trade Financial later acquired. My time there taught me crucial lessons about scaling operations for growth and acquisition. When I got the opportunity to start on the ground floor of Home Loan Center (now Discover Home Loans), I jumped at the chance to build an operation again. I find genuine satisfaction in helping our customers achieve their dream of homeownership while creating opportunities for career advancement within my team.
Over the years, my journey took me into the wholesale sector, where I served as an Account Executive, taking insights from the larger IMBs of my past and applying them to help smaller lenders and brokers thrive. Staying true to supporting small businesses, I was also fortunate to have had an opportunity to build loanDepot Wholesale and take loanDepot public.
I am grateful to the mortgage industry for offering such a colorful, exciting career with diverse experiences. I feel inspired to give back, which led me to start GRITT. Now, I work most days from my home in the hills of San Diego, CA, on an avocado farm with my partner, Patrick. We both come from large Italian families and cherish spending time with them, hiking, and growing our succulent and cactus gardens in the sun. I also love yoga, traveling, and listening to live music with friends in my free time.
–How did you learn about the MBA Path to Diversity Program?
I learned about the Path to Diversity Program from Laura Hopkins, who told me about the available scholarship. During our chat about the challenges of running a small business and how to make the most of my MBA membership, I shared my goal of furthering my education and earning my CMB designation. Laura suggested the Path to Diversity scholarship as a great way to help me achieve those goals. Inspired by our conversation, I jumped online and applied for the scholarship. I’m grateful for Laura’s support; although I had a long-term plan for my CMB journey, the scholarship allowed me to kick things off much sooner than I expected.
–Did you find the application process to be user-friendly?
Absolutely! I was pleasantly surprised at how straightforward the instructions and application steps were. Once I confirmed my eligibility, the submission documents made it clear how the scholarship would enhance my professional growth. I actually enjoyed the application process; writing down my goals helped clarify what I was aiming for. Every moment spent sharing my past experiences and future aspirations felt worthwhile.
–How has the Path to Diversity scholarship benefited you, both personally and professionally?
On a professional level, the scholarship opened the door for me to pursue higher education while my business was still in its early stages. Some people questioned whether I needed more education after 30 years in the industry. Being a two-time scholarship recipient, I found that leveraging the funds for programs like SOMB II and III offered new perspectives on the sector. It’s helped me think more strategically about the economic impact of our industry and how I can serve my clients better. As I prepare for the final leg of my CMB journey, I think about the dedication and discipline it took to get here, all backed by this scholarship. Those qualities have brought me benefits both at work and in my personal life. It’s never too late to learn something new.
—What were you able to bring back to your company as a result of the Path to Diversity program?
My MBA studies gave me a well-rounded perspective on real estate finance. This education helped me establish a strong network, connect with new mentors, and deepen my understanding of various industry sectors. I view this knowledge as an invaluable asset I share with my clients.
I’m also passionate about advocating for the P2D Scholarship and education programs, encouraging those who join my team to explore similar opportunities.
–What would I say to someone considering applying for a Path to Diversity scholarship?
I’d tell them to “invest time in yourself – you are worth it.” Exploring areas of business outside your daily responsibilities and connecting with new people will boost your confidence, expand your network, and enhance your contributions to the industry. The broader our perspectives, the more we can offer as the industry evolves.
Education is the gateway, and this scholarship provides crucial support.
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About the MBA Path to Diversity Scholarship Program
The Path to Diversity Scholarship Program recognizes existing industry professionals who are seeking to advance their careers through continuing education. Recipients receive a voucher to cover course registration fees, up to a maximum of $2,000, for popular MBA Education courses and designation programs. This education opportunity enables employees from diverse backgrounds to advance their professional growth and career development.
MBA recognizes that a strong, responsible and sustainable real estate finance industry requires a workforce that is reflective of our society at large.
For more information about the Path to Diversity Scholarship Program, click here.
