MBA Announces Retirement of COO Marcia Davies, Executive Promotions, Other Personnel Changes
The Mortgage Bankers Association announced that Marcia M. Davies, MBA’s Chief Operating Officer and founder of mPower, MBA’s networking platform for women in the real estate finance industry, will retire on Dec. 31, 2025.
MBA also announced the promotion of three current association leaders as part of a restructuring of the functions led by Davies.
Davies joined MBA in 2011 as Chief of Staff to past President and CEO David H. Stevens, and Senior Vice President of Conferences and Meetings. In 2014, she was promoted to COO.
“For well over a decade, MBA and its members have benefited tremendously from Marcia’s vision and passion for the mission and the people of the real estate finance industry,” said MBA’s President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB. “Her most vital contribution to MBA was her leadership in restoring financial stability to the association. Her legacy in the industry will be the founding and development of mPower, enhancing the ability of thousands of women in our industry to strengthen their networks, conduct more business, and experience personal and professional growth. I have been blessed to have her leading by my side for the past seven years.”
As COO, Davies has been responsible for ensuring cross-organizational alignment and facilitating the implementation of MBA’s strategic initiatives, as well as maintaining oversight of key organizational priorities. She is also the lead strategist for MBA’s external activities, providing leadership, guidance, and overall management to the public affairs and marketing divisions. In addition, she provides strategic direction and management of MBA’s Conferences, Membership, Education, Information Technology, and Office Services divisions and is a past board member of MBA’s Opens Doors Foundation.
In 2016, Davies founded mPower (MBA Promoting Opportunities for Women to Extend their Reach). Under her leadership, mPower has grown into an engaged community of more than 26,000 industry members, providing best-in-class conference and webinar programming, networking events, and online opportunities to promote the advancement of women in the mortgage industry.
Previously, Davies worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner. She directed HUD’s industry relations program to strengthen relationships, garner support, streamline communications, and resolve policy and regulatory issues. Before joining HUD, Marcia spent 21 years at Freddie Mac, where she held a variety of senior management positions in communications, customer outreach, marketing, servicer relations, and policy.
Peter J. Grace, AMP, previously Senior Vice President of Membership, Education, Technology, and Strategy, has been promoted to Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President of Industry Education and Technology. Laura Hopkins, AMP, previously Vice President of Membership, has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Membership and Meetings. John T. Mechem, who had been Vice President of Public Affairs, was promoted to Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Marketing. Hopkins and Mechem will join MBA’s Senior Management team, of which Grace was already a member. Each will report to MBA’s President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB.
“MBA is blessed with a strong bench of up-and-coming proven leaders, allowing us to create upward mobility for these three talented individuals already on staff,” said Broeksmit. “Peter, Laura, and John each bring exceptional and unique talents to their expanded roles, and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and MBA’s members gaining the benefit of their experience and new perspectives.”
Grace started at MBA in 2012 as Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Strategic Management, before being promoted to Senior Vice President in 2014. In his new role, he will oversee Strategy, Operations, IT, Finance, Legal, Human Resources, and the MBA Opens Doors Foundation, in addition to his existing responsibilities for Education and Industry Technology. He will also continue to serve as the MBA representative on the MISMO Board of Directors. Grace came to MBA in 2012 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where he served as Chief of Staff for the Acting Deputy Secretary. Before joining HUD, Grace was Associate Commissioner of the Office of Strategic Planning, Technology, and Research at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. He began his career at Accenture, where he advised companies in the telecommunications industry on organizational strategy and transformation. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University. His full bio can be found here.
Hopkins joined MBA in 2017 as Director of Membership after nearly two decades of sales and management expertise in the mortgage banking sector, including positions in sales and marketing. In 2021, she was promoted to Vice President of Member Relations, and in 2024 assumed the role of VP of Membership, which includes the Member Services, Associate Membership, and Commercial/Multifamily Membership functions. In her new role, she will add responsibility for leading the strategic direction and management of MBA’s conferences and meetings, as well as mPower, MBA’s networking platform for women in the real estate finance industry. Hopkins was recognized by HousingWire in 2025 with its Women of Influence award. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Business Management and Merchandising. Her full bio can be found here.
Mechem started at MBA in 2006 as Manager of Public Affairs and has held a series of roles of growing responsibility strengthening MBA’s voice, brand, and influence. In 2015, he was promoted to Vice President of Public Affairs where he managed all public affairs activity for the association, including media relations, speechwriting, social and digital media, and member and executive communications. In his new role, he will serve as lead strategist for external messaging, providing vision, leadership, and strategic direction across all aspects of public affairs, media relations, product and event marketing, digital engagement, publications, and brand management. Before joining MBA, he served as Director of Communications at the American Forest & Paper Association. He began his career on Capitol Hill, where he worked in communications for U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Jim Bunning (R-KY). Mechem graduated from Colby College with a degree in Government and American Studies. His full bio can be found here.
Additionally, MBA announced the promotion of six employees across several association departments.
Effective Oct. 1, the following employees assumed their new roles:
• Jonathan Kearns, previously Associate Vice President of Product Development of the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO), has been promoted to MISMO Vice President of Programs;
• Jamey Lynch, AMP, who had been Associate Vice President of Political Affairs, was promoted to Vice President of Political Affairs;
• Kim Newell, CMP, CEM, previously Associate Vice President of Meetings and Sales, has been promoted to Vice President of Meetings Logistics and Sales;
• Dawn Williams, AMP, who had been Associate Vice President of Conference Programs and Experiences, was promoted to Vice President of Conference Programs and Experiences;
• Liz Facemire, previously Director of State Government Affairs, has been promoted to Associate Vice President of State Government Affairs;
• Jacqueline (Jacky) Salazar, CCMS, previously Director of CREF, has been promoted to Associate Vice President of CREF.
“I’m very proud to recognize these six outstanding professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, a ‘member-first’ attitude, and a passion for generating positive results and creating memorable experiences for our members, the industry, and consumers,” said Bob Broeksmit, CMB, MBA President and CEO. “Whether advancing key real estate finance policies, driving innovation at MISMO, or producing world-class conferences and events, each has made a lasting impact on MBA’s mission. Their promotions are a direct reflection of their talent, hard work, and the respect they’ve earned from our members and their peers. I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in these expanded roles.”
Kearns has held ascending roles on MBA’s MISMO team since 2019. In his new role, he will oversee MISMO’s program strategy and execution, leading initiatives that drive standardization, innovation, and digital transformation across the mortgage finance industry. Prior to joining MISMO, Kearns served as Senior Vice President of Technology at DocMagic, Inc., where he led the development of advanced digital mortgage platforms supporting eClosings, eVaults, and electronic signatures. A recognized leader in mortgage technology, he brings more than a decade of experience building solutions that promote interoperability, improve efficiency, and align with regulatory requirements.
Lynch has held ascending roles since initially joining MBA in 2017 as an Assistant Political Director. Subsequently, she was promoted to Associate Political Director in 2019 and to be an Associate Vice President of Political Affairs in 2024. In her new and enhanced role, she will continue to lead MBA’s political engagement strategy, including serving as Assistant Treasurer of the real estate finance industry’s foremost political action committee, MORPAC, overseeing the association’s grassroots network, the Mortgage Action Alliance (MAA), and managing all aspects of MBA’s premier direct advocacy event, its annual National Advocacy Conference (NAC). Prior to joining MBA, Lynch worked at a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs agency managing integrated advocacy campaigns for clients across all levels of government. She holds both Bachelor of Science in Marketing and master’s in business administration degrees from Florida State University. Lynch earned her Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) designation in 2019
Newell has held leadership roles spanning meetings logistics, and sales, driving sponsorship revenue and enhancing member engagement. In her new role, she is responsible for overseeing the logistics and execution of conferences, exhibits, and sponsorship programs. Prior to joining MBA in 2003, Newell held senior roles at GES Exposition Services and the Helicopter Association International. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida and maintains certifications as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM).
Williams joined MBA in 2012, and in her new role, will oversee the strategy and execution of content, registration services, and attendee experience for more than 15 annual events. Williams works closely with leadership, members, and subject matter experts to ensure MBA’s conferences address the most critical issues in mortgage finance while delivering high-impact experiences for attendees. Prior to joining MBA, she served as Executive Director of the Default Attorney Group (DAG) and held senior marketing roles at Time Life Books and May Company department stores. She earned her Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) designation in 2015 and was named MBA’s Employee of the Year in 2017. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communication Studies from the University of Virginia.
Facemire, who joined MBA in 2023, will help lead MBA’s policy and advocacy engagement at the state and local levels. She will also continue to oversee the State Legislative and Regulatory Committee (SLRC) and its subgroups, guiding strategy across a broad range of issues, including origination, servicing, compliance, data security, and AI. In her new role, she will lead MBA’s efforts to expand further into commercial/multifamily policy and strengthen MBA’s engagement with state Attorneys General. Prior to MBA, she held multiple roles at Rocket Mortgage, including loan originator, underwriter, and state policy lobbyist, bringing deep technical knowledge and hands-on industry experience to MBA.
Salazar has been a key contributor to the association’s commercial real estate finance efforts, with a focus on strategic planning, organizational growth, and member engagement. In her new role, she will continue to support industry initiatives, member programs, and the delivery of events and councils that foster collaboration and innovation across the commercial/multifamily community. Prior to joining MBA in 2021, she held positions at Fannie Mae, NewPoint Real Estate Capital, and Prudential Asset Resources, where she specialized in risk management, compliance, and audit coordination. She was named MBA’s Employee of the Year in 2023 and earned the Certified Commercial Mortgage Servicer (CCMS) designation in 2025.
