Brianna Coleman From Navy Federal Credit Union: An MBA Education Path to Diversity Scholar Profile
(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.)
Brianna Coleman is a Mortgage Operations Supervisor with Navy Federal Credit Union.
–Tell us about yourself
I’m a Mortgage Operations Supervisor for Navy Federal Credit Union based in Pensacola, FL. I graduated from Pine Forest High School in June of 2012 and studied Exercise Science at the University of West Florida.
I quickly realized that I was interested in exploring a career in business and applied for a position within Navy Federal. I’ve had the opportunity to experience Mortgage Loan Operations from many different lenses and had a gradual introduction into Mortgage as a Mortgage Support Assistant in November 2015 by completing daily tasks like ordering appraisals, title work, insurance, etc. to have the files set up and ready to go for processing.
In March 2017, I was promoted to a Mortgage Loan Processor for regular purchase loans with some overflow intake for refinance loans. In February 2018, I was selected to join a pilot team for a specific swim lane for only New Construction Purchase loans and I’ve remained in New Construction since. In March 2021, I was promoted to a Mortgage Production Supervisor over a New Construction Purchase Processing team and monitored daily production on the team level to ensure loans were getting closed by their deadlines as well as cultivating builder partnerships with designated processors. In March 2022, I was promoted to Mortgage Operations Supervisor (still in the New Construction Purchase Processing space) and continued my journey learning more of the development side of things which I found to be my passion.
I love helping processors develop within their own careers and their personal lives to achieve whatever goals they set for themselves. I try to guide them as much as I can with providing resources and volunteering them for stretch assignments to gain more knowledge to advance to their next role. I also volunteer to participate as a Subject Matter Expert in several process improvements and projects within our Real Estate Lending department.
Outside of my career, I love spending time with family and friends. I enjoy traveling, attending concerts and football games.
–How did you learn about the Path to Diversity Program? What inspired you to become more involved?
Within my company, we had the MBA program put on a webinar where employees could register to attend. I attended and after the webinar, I received a copy of the slideshow and reviewed it in my free time at work. After reading through it, I came across the scholarship and the requirements and thought to apply.
I reached out to my leadership and asked if this would be something I would qualify for and received the push I needed to apply.
–Did you find the application process to be user-friendly?
Yes, it was super-friendly.
–How has the Path to Diversity scholarship benefited you, both personally and professionally?
Honestly, it’s benefited me in both ways. I feel much more confident in my role within my company and working to obtain my certification through this program really has shown me how well respected this program really is. My leaders have expressed to me how rewarding this class would be and I’m living proof of it. I feel so much more respected amongst my peers and excites me to know that others can reach out to me as a resource for more in depth conversations regarding Mortgage Banking.
Personally, this has shown me that it’s never too late to learn something new and still have the fire behind you to learn more and more each day. This is a strong mindset that I teach my daughter and being able to be an example for her means everything to me.
–What would you say to someone considering applying for a Path to Diversity scholarship?
Absolutely do it! It’s 100% worth it. The application process is so user friendly. The staff that reached out to me if I had any questions were so polite and helpful.
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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.
