Power Players | Latonia Donaldson, Rosario Lawrence, Dr. Vanessa Montañez - 047

Learning about the banking and mortgage industry can help you reach your dreams of becoming a homeowner. In this month's episode, I'm sitting down with three lovely ladies who are striving to make positive changes in gaining access to homeownership, financial education, and inclusive leadership. Grab your cafecito and join us in this lovely conversation.

 

Meet The Leaders

• Latonia Donaldson, SVP National Director of Multicultural Lending, PrimeLending

• Dr. Vanessa Montañez, SVP, Head of Community Lending, CityNational Bank

• Rosario Lawrence, Area Sales Manager, Newrez Home Loan Division

Humble Beginnings in the Lending Industry and Leadership

• Latonia started as a processor to gain an understanding of the banking industry, then switched over to becoming a loan officer. An unexpected change happened that helped her realize the impact she was making on families achieving their homeownership dreams. This led her to transition into leadership roles with Wells Fargo, which brought her to her role now.

• Just like Latonia, Rosario started her banking career in 1994. Even though her first position was supposed to just help her get through college, she ended up falling in love with the industry. She decided to go down the leadership path, thanks to someone pulling her aside and showing her how it was a lucrative career that helped children.

• Dr. Vanessa's father accidentally guided her into business after telling her that the art major she was going for wasn't a good fit for the lifestyle she was accustomed to. After entering the banking industry, she saw how it was a powerful fuel for creating generational wealth. Seeing how transformative homeownership is for people, she joined leadership roles to ensure that the underrepresented population can continue to reach their dreams.

 

Challenges in Financial Leadership Roles as Minority Women

• Rosario shares how when there are shifts in the financial space, it impacts minorities in gaining homeownership. She becomes the voice of this demographic to ensure market shifts don't keep them from owning a home.

• Dr. Vanessa dives into how there have been many times she was sitting at a table and certain people would talk over her. She realized if she was going through this in her position, then how many other women of color were facing the same issue as her. Not wanting to keep being quiet about the issue, she decided she needed to be on the opposite side of the table to make positive changes for equality in homeownership.

• Latonia also faced the same difficulties as Dr. Vanessa. She shares how most women, no matter their backgrounds, often struggle with imposter syndrome. We're sitting at tables and when sharing our ideas, they often get ignored. But when someone else says the same thing, it becomes a great idea. This is why Latonia and the other two ladies are in the positions they are today: to stand up for rights and be a voice for those who are often underrepresented.

 

Mentors, Quotes, and Books

• Dr. Vanessa is passionate about reading and admires women who embody strength, vulnerability, and can lead with grace under pressure. She recommends Michelle Obama's book, "Becoming," and enjoys the quote, "Becoming is not about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain need, it's about the journey of continuous growth." Dr. Vanessa shares how the quote reflects that the process of growth is ongoing and contributes to one's identity.

• Latonia shares how she admires the CEO of TIAA, Thasunda Brown Duckett. She believes that Thasunda simplifies what it means to be a leader in the financial space while maintaining her authentic self. She's not afraid to share her journey with others and to help lift them up. Latonia's favorite quote from Thasunda is, "I rock my title, I own my character. My title belongs to my employer, my character is Thasunda Brown Duckett's ownable asset." Her favorite book is by Don Miguel Ruiz, "The Four Agreements," because it deeply resonates with her leadership style.

• Rosario doesn't have one person of admiration; instead, she celebrates every single person who is fighting and achieving their goals.

 

When you help another woman rise, we all shine. And that’s how we make an impact. So, let’s build each other up and shine brighter than the sun. For more great content from Teresa, connect with her on LinkedIn, join her Women Who Lead Series on Facebook, and subscribe to her YouTube channel. You can find more episodes of Women Who Lead on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else podcasts can be found.

 

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