MBA Path to Opportunity Scholar Profile: Connor Fraley
Connor Fraley is Capital Markets Analyst and Trader with DHI Mortgage in Nashville, Tenn.
–Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Connor Fraley, and I’m originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. I’ve called Nashville home for the past 14 years, where I earned my Bachelor of Business Administration from Belmont University.
I began my mortgage career at Churchill Mortgage, where I worked on the Commitment Desk within the Secondary Marketing department. In that role, I gained experience in pipeline management, hedging strategies, and mortgage-backed securities trading, building a strong foundation in capital markets.
After five years at Churchill, I joined DHI Mortgage as Commitment Desk Team Lead, where I spent four years leading the team while expanding my expertise in capital markets operations.
Today, I continue my career with DHI Mortgage as a Capital Markets Analyst and Trader, where I manage the government loan pooling and trading. In this role, I leverage my leadership experience while working at the intersection of analytics, risk management, and trading to optimize portfolio performance and support strategic business objectives.
–How did you learn about the MBA Path to Opportunity Program? What inspired you to become more involved? Did a co-worker/supervisor/mentor encourage your participation?
After spending the past six years in leadership roles within the mortgage industry, I’m committed to continuously developing my leadership skills and broadening my perspective. My manager encouraged me to explore the program and apply for both the Path to Opportunity Scholarship and the Future Leaders Program, recognizing it as an opportunity to invest in my professional growth.
Hearing firsthand about the program’s impact from past participants, combined with the encouragement of my manager and my own desire to continue growing as a leader, made applying for the scholarship and joining the Future Leaders Program an easy decision.
–Did you find the application process to be user-friendly?
The application process was very user-friendly. The online application was straightforward, easy to navigate, and clearly outlined the information required at each step. Overall, it was a smooth and efficient experience.
–How has the Path to Opportunity Scholarship benefited you, professionally and/or personally?
The Path to Opportunity Scholarship gave me the opportunity to participate in MBA’s Future Leaders Program, an experience that has significantly expanded both my leadership perspective and my understanding of the mortgage industry. Beyond strengthening core management skills, the program brought together professionals from across the industry to discuss shared challenges, exchange ideas, and develop practical solutions to issues affecting our organizations.
One of the program’s greatest strengths is its broad exposure to every facet of the mortgage business. Through in-person sessions and a collaborative group project, I gained valuable insights into how different departments and organizations approach common challenges. Those experiences have directly influenced my management style, equipping me with new strategies to improve collaboration, address departmental challenges, and support my team’s growth.
The most valuable lesson I took away was the importance of breaking down organizational silos. By fostering greater cross-functional understanding and encouraging collaboration across departments, mortgage professionals can communicate more effectively, solve problems more efficiently, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for both their organizations and the customers they serve.
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About the MBA Path to Opportunity Scholarship Program
The Path to Opportunity Scholarship Program supports aspiring leaders dedicated to making a lasting impact in real estate finance. It is open to all individuals committed to driving innovation, inclusion, and excellence for an equitable future.
