Meeting Challenges continued on page 30 instincts.” Her life outside of work is full of women who share advice, celebrate her triumphs and encourage her when things are down. “They are part of my tribe, and I’d be lost without them,” Winslow says. Kellogg recalls friends and mentors who have taught her to laugh, stay positive, lead by example, uplift others, and, in today’s real estate lending market, stay calm and focus on the things you can control. Awalt remembers her first manager in the mortgage business, who showed borrowers every option available to them, not just the one they asked for. “This taught me to make the extra effort and look outside the box at all times,” she says. “Every one of my mentors prepared me for being in the reverse mortgage industry and has been a reason why I have remained in this space through all the ups and downs the past 16 years. I’ve been surrounded by the same team throughout those years, and each of them continues to teach me every day.” Advice for Women The advice that female leaders offer for other women interested in reverse mortgage careers begins and ends with the product itself. “If you are seeking a career that will provide you with opportunities for personal and professional growth, challenges and satisfaction for a job well done, then go for it,” Winslow says. “This industry serves a protected class of citizens who should be taken care of as they age. It provides them with a product that offers Ami Kellogg President, Premier Reverse Closings Ami Kellogg When Ami Kellogg became a title secretary after graduating from high school, she says she thought it would be “a J-O-B,” a way to earn money while figuring out what to do next. That was in 1979. “It kind of got into my blood,” she says. “A formal education went on the back burner because it was a great place for a female to earn. I can still roll my sleeves up and do closings. I can pass the state tests.” Before joining Premier Reverse Closings (PRC) in 2016, her roles in the settlement arena included division president and senior vice president, plus branch settlement and sales manager positions for national title companies. Sharing her passion and knowledge with new hires in title and escrow settlements has been her priority. “Recruiting newbies, staff retention and development capabilities have been integral in the formation of successful business ventures throughout the years,” she says. In 2016, Lisa Steele, chief operating officer of Mother Lode Holding Co. (MLHC), invited Kellogg to replace a departing manager at PRC. She was intrigued by Steele’s commitment to reverse mortgages and found that her transferable skills from the forward side gave her the confidence to join the firm. Today, she oversees PRC’s strategic direction while focusing on growth in reverse mortgages. Even after 44 years, the title and escrow field remains the “small space” she entered after high school, in part, because many elements have to align in order to succeed. She is proudest of working in real estate for more than 40 years and being trusted with the dual responsibilities of managing a reverse mortgage division and MLHC’S national title and settlement operation, NCS. “The trust and responsibility given to me are humbling and a proud moment within my career to be blessed to bring my value, direction and experience to both of the divisions I represent,” she says. “It was an honor to me that I was chosen to take on this opportunity.” REVERSE MORTGAGE / JULY–AUGUST 2023 29
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