MBA Opens Doors Foundation Welcomes Kristy Fercho And Matt Rocco To Its Board

The MBA Opens Doors Foundation (Opens Doors) announced two real estate finance industry executives to its Board of Directors: Kristy Fercho, 2021 MBA Chair-Elect, and Executive Vice President and Head of Wells Fargo Home Lending; and Matt Rocco, 2021 MBA Vice Chairman, and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer at Grandbridge Real Estate Capital. 

“Matt and Kristy bring a wealth of experience in the real estate finance industry, as well as in volunteer leadership positions at organizations that provide help to those overcoming extraordinary challenges,” said Debra W. Still, CMB, President and CEO of Pulte Mortgage, and Chairman of Opens Doors Foundation. “As families with critically ill and injured children are facing tremendous housing insecurity and the added difficulties posed by the pandemic, we are thrilled Kristy and Matt are lending their time and expertise to Opens Doors, and know their contributions will help increase our impact.”  

The addition of Fercho and Rocco to the board brings the number of directors to 17.

“MBA Opens Doors does critical work for families facing extraordinary challenges,” said Fercho. “I am honored to join colleagues from across the industry in helping families with critically ill or injured children stay in their homes and continue to realize the safety, security, and stability benefits that are intrinsic to homeownership. At a time when the emotional and financial stress facing American households is incredibly high, the impact of providing housing payment relief to families in need – especially those caring for sick children – is immeasurable.”

Fercho joined Wells Fargo in 2020 from Flagstar Bank, where she had served as president of the company’s mortgage division since 2017. Prior to joining Flagstar, she spent 15 years with Fannie Mae, where she led the strategy and business performance of single-family customers in the western United States, and also served in customer engagement and human resources roles. Fercho began her career and served in a variety of sales, operations, and human resources roles at Baxter International before moving to Pepsi Co. Inc., where she was director of worldwide corporate human resources.

“It is an honor to join the Board of Directors of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation,” said Rocco. “In ordinary times, the need to provide housing payment relief to families with critically ill or injured children is extraordinary. With the ongoing pandemic, and a severe contraction of our economy that has left already vulnerable families struggling to keep jobs and healthcare coverage, the need for housing relief has skyrocketed. It’s not only a pleasure to join my real estate finance colleagues in this effort, it’s also an important obligation.”

Rocco joined Grandbridge, a subsidiary of Truist Bank, in 1998. He is currently a member of the firm’s Board of Managers, Senior Leadership Team, and Risk Committee, where his responsibilities include corporate initiatives and Grandbridge’s overall loan origination efforts, as well as the company’s Agency Underwriting (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA) and Balance Sheet Closing groups. Rocco is an advisory member to many of the nation’s largest investors and capital correspondents. Prior to Grandbridge, he was engaged in investment banking, bond issuance, underwriting, and real estate asset management.

Since 2012, Opens Doors has helped families in 49 states and the District of Columbia, granting more than $8.6 million in housing assistance to more than 6,300 families with critically ill or injured children to help them stay in their homes while their child was in treatment.

“Having a highly competent and engaged board is critical to our success,” said Opens Doors Foundation President Deborah Dubois. “Matt and Kristy bring a high level of enthusiasm and commitment that will allow us to broaden our reach and magnify our impact as we look to celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2021.”

The MBA Opens Doors Foundation, through its Home Grant Program, provides relief in a time of personal crisis. The Home Grant Program has become a critical part of a family’s support structure, especially when a parent or guardian must take unpaid leave to be with a child. Grants of up to $2,500 are made monthly to families in need of mortgage or rental payment assistance.