Meeting Challenges continued from page 27 Lawler has crafted a leadership style built on loyalty. The company she founded in 1994 has “always been what I would consider a family group,” she says. “Even when times were tough, everybody stayed on board. We had to lower salaries, and they determined they were going to stick it out. We’re loyal to them, and they’re loyal to us.” Getting ahead in a male-dominated field demands the grit to get the job done and build lasting relationships. Awalt assumed executive responsibilities when Allegiant Reverse Services was founded. The team they convened made the decision to join that much easier. “I am not a risk-taker, but there have been all these times when that’s what I’ve done,” she says. “You have to believe in yourself, and you have to believe in those around you.” Mentors Make an Impact Female leaders credit a diverse array of mentors for helping them launch their careers. Many found their first mentors in their childhood homes. Batiste learned her work ethic from her mother and father, who were both in the U.S. Marine Corps. Awalt watched her marathon-running father set an example of physical fitness and perseverance. Kellogg learned from her parents to follow through on what she says she’ll do. “My mom would often say when she would leave for work, ‘It’s up to you, Ami Lou, to make it a great day, so keep that pretty smile on your face,’” Kellogg says. Batiste remembers an Arrowhead Credit Union manager who “could be tough but always shared her knowledge and how she applied her organization skills.” At TMAC, Batiste acknowledges the guidance of Kayce Davis-Miller, senior vice president of capital markets and servicing, who inspired her to achieve her role as vice president of operations. Deborah Winslow, senior vice president of commercial and reverse servicing at PHH Mortgage Corp. dba Liberty Reverse Mortgage, credits her mentors and managers for encouraging her to “be myself, understand the value of team and trust my Jennifer Cosentini Housing Director, Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. Jennifer Cosentini For seven years early in her career, Jennifer Cosentini was a teacher, honing her skills in communication and patience as she taught young children. She enjoyed being an educator but “desperately needed a new challenge,” which arrived with the chance to join Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp.’s new housing team in September 2008. There, she and her colleagues learned about reverse mortgages and studied for the rigorous HECM counseling exam. “We were all excited to get on the HECM roster and build this new line of business together,” she recalls. In her current job, Cosentini oversees all aspects of Cambridge’s housing counseling and manages a team of 15 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-certified housing counselors. She remains an avid learner of all things related to HECMs. One of her proudest moments came with her election to the NRMLA Board of Directors. While her job involves multiple aspects of housing, reverse mortgages are her favorite, and NRMLA involvement offers “a good opportunity for me to stay in touch and share with my team everything I learn from the lender side. “The more you know on both sides of reverse mortgages, the better for everybody,” she says. “It’s important for me to stay in touch with that.” Through NRMLA, Cosentini continues applying her teaching skills by training groups of reverse mortgage lenders in the HECM counseling process. “It’s something they don’t know a whole lot about,” she says. “It’s great to get us both on the same page and help them prepare their borrowers for what to expect.” 28 REVERSE MORTGAGE / JULY–AUGUST 2023
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