The 2025 Next Gen Leader Award Winners Are …

For the 5th year in a row, we at PROGRESS in Lending are honoring the next generation. Why? Because we were set up to recognize true visionaries and thought leaders. That’s who we are. Our other awards all acknowledge the good work that executives are doing now, but we think it’s critically important to expand to recognize those people that are making a difference that have been in the business fifteen years or less. We need new leaders that are not afraid to step forward and blaze a new trail. We need creativity. We need bold new ideas.

The 2025 Award Winners In Alphabetical Order Are:

Nate Clear

President

FirstFunding, Inc.

Nate Clear has been a transformative figure in the mortgage industry, driving innovation, operational excellence, and talent development throughout his career. Since joining FirstFunding in 2012, Nate’s influence has been pivotal in reshaping how the company and its clients approach warehouse lending.

As an Account Executive, Nate tripled the number of approved accounts within FirstFunding’s portfolio, demonstrating his ability to strategically identify and capitalize on growth opportunities. His efforts increased revenue and broadened FirstFunding’s impact within the mortgage ecosystem.

In his role as National Sales Manager, Nate expanded the sales force threefold, demonstrating his knack for scaling teams effectively to meet demand. He also recognized the need to create a training infrastructure that would enable new account executives to succeed, crafting a comprehensive onboarding program. His introduction of an internship program to cultivate young talent further reflects his commitment to fostering the next generation of mortgage professionals—a legacy that continues to benefit the industry.

Nate’s operational innovations have left a lasting mark. He introduced structured policies and procedures that streamlined account onboarding, application processing, and client renewals, setting a new standard for operational excellence. His strategic foresight extended to client support as well, with the creation of a dedicated customer service team in the Dominican Republic to enhance responsiveness and satisfaction.

Under Nate’s leadership, FirstFunding has not only grown its footprint but has also become a model for how innovative practices can improve outcomes for lenders and borrowers alike. His work demonstrates a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the mortgage space, coupled with a commitment to making it more efficient, customer-focused, and forward-thinking.

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Morgan Klabenes

SVP, Strategic Solutions

LERETA

Morgan has more than 12 years of experience in client services management and strategic planning. Morgan is a dynamic leader who has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive strategic initiatives, foster collaborative team environments and deliver measurable results. Her innovative approach to problem-solving and dedication to professional growth not only sets them apart from her peers but also inspires those around her.

Since joining LERETA last year, Morgan has:

• Aligned the company’s services and platforms in new ways to generate cost-effective tax and flood servicing solutions that reduce errors that create economic, compliance and reputational risk for its clients.  She’s also worked to identify and engage with new market segments to roll out solutions for new types of customers, including lenders in the single-family rental and build to rent space.
• Created a unique risk management workflow for equity products and second liens to successfully manage their portfolio, reduce liabilities, and prevent loss in a cost efficient manner.
• Partnered with banks, credit unions, and subservicers across the industry to understand their servicing portfolio and diagnose processes, technology and customer service gaps that drive less than ideal borrower experiences and increase expenses.

Morgan says, “I spent the majority of my childhood in a small, rural Nebraska town where we rented a house with some land, a small home in-town, and even an apartment above a beauty shop. That formative childhood has made me realize how important home ownership still is for families and individuals to feel safe, financially secure, and in some ways, very much a part of the American Dream. My goal is to help borrowers understand the mortgage process, the risks and benefits, and to be able to make confident, educated decisions. 45% of homeowners with fixed interest rates don’t realize their monthly mortgage payment can still increase due to changes in their escrow account. Furthermore, they’re unsure of their options when faced with an increased payment and affordability questions.”

As a professional and leader in this industry she wants to prevent these scenarios by:

• Helping lenders accurately estimate payments prior to close.
• Ensuring a successful first year post-close because their taxes were properly paid and impounded at closing.
• Delivering the best servicing experience possible to escrowed homeowners by simply paying their taxes accurately and timely, and helping non-escrowed homeowners understand their due dates and responsibilities when it comes to property taxes.
• Providing the industry cutting-edge technology to improve operational outcomes.

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Austin Owens

National Account Executive

Corporate Settlement Solutions

Over just the past 4 years in the industry, Austin has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep dedication to improving the mortgage process for lenders and borrowers alike. His contributions have already left a significant mark on the industry and reflect the qualities of a true up and coming leader in our space.

Since joining Corporate Settlement Solutions in 2023, Austin has been laser-focused on fostering efficiency and transparency within the valuation, title and settlement process. His efforts have helped CSS deliver seamless, tech-enabled solutions that streamline closings and improve the borrower experience. For example, he has helped multiple lenders transition from full appraisals to more cost-effective, faster, tech-enabled valuation products to improve their home equity lending operations. By building strong relationships with lenders and understanding their evolving needs, Austin has helped bridge gaps in communication and service delivery, making CSS a trusted partner in the industry.

Austin says, “I hope to help lenders continue to adopt new technology that will make mortgage transactions faster, cheaper and more efficient. By using automation, stronger comprehensive data and secure platforms, we can speed up closings, reduce fraud, and improve the borrower experience. My goal is to continue to modernize this process so lenders and borrowers can complete transactions with more confidence and less hassle.”

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Kathleen Slack

Processing Manager

Constructive Capital

As processing manager for Constructive Capital, Kathleen is a transformative leader who has played a critical role in the company’s success. Her unwavering dedication to building strong client relationships, empowering her team, and championing operational improvements has not only helped reshape the business, but also been a reference point for others in the industry.

Kathleen began her mortgage career at Cardinal Financial, working with various documents such as 4506Ts, which allowed her to gain a deep understanding of the foundational processes involved in mortgage lending. She credits her early roles with providing the insights and skills that have informed her approach to leadership today. As her industry experience grew, Kathleen moved from traditional mortgages into a more specialized niche of business purpose lending, where she now focuses on two asset classes, DSCR rental loans and residential transition loans. These specialized products require a keen understanding of investor needs and the ability to adapt operational processes to meet the demands of a fast-paced, results-driven market—skills Kathleen has consistently demonstrated with exceptional expertise.

A cornerstone of Kathleen’s success is her commitment to client relationships and exceptional customer service. Over her 10+ years in the industry, she has witnessed client communications evolve from in-person and phone conversations to more digital interactions, including email and client operations portals. While the tools have changed, Kathleen emphasizes that customer service has become even more important than ever. As she explains, “Our clients have a choice, and focusing on great customer service makes their choice easy.” This philosophy underpins her efforts to ensure that the company delivers seamless client experiences in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving industry.

Kathleen also excels as a mentor and leader who consistently prioritizes the development of her team and creating future industry leaders. Kathleen credits her hands-on experience developing through her various roles as essential. “Doing all the tasks and jobs I have over the years has made me a much better manager today,” she says. “It’s important to be on the front line and not only support but actually execute and deliver.” She instills in her team the importance of viewing every interaction as a representation of the company’s reputation and empowers team members to operate as an owner in helping clients achieve their investment goals. As a result, her team’s employee satisfaction scores have remained strong, a testament to her leadership and dedication to fostering a positive work environment.

Continuous improvement is another tenet central to Kathleen’s role. She has been instrumental in driving updates to the client portal and use of technology, and she utilizes the principles of her Lean Six Sigma training daily to improve her team’s processes. Kathleen is particularly focused on reducing turn times and ensuring her team delivers clean, complete files on first submission. This proactive approach has reduced friction in the lending process and enhances the company’s ability to produce a great client experience. In fact, in 2024, Kathleen’s focus and performance helped the company to achieve its best year to date.

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Ian Vogt

SVP, Sales & Business Development

FirstClose

Ian’s exceptional ability to navigate and lead in a rapidly evolving mortgage landscape has distinguished him as a trailblazer in the industry. His proactive approach to learning and problem-solving, coupled with his strategic acumen, has enabled him to turn complex technological concepts into actionable, impactful solutions. These attributes make Ian a standout candidate who exemplifies the qualities of innovation, leadership, and dedication.

Ian’s willingness to embrace new challenges is evident in his proactive approach to personal and professional development. He consistently seeks out opportunities for growth, whether through advanced industry certifications, attending industry conferences, or participating in executive training programs.

Ian has played a pivotal role in expanding the market reach of FirstClose’s technology. His efforts in forging strategic partnerships and conducting targeted outreach have led to a substantial increase in the company’s client base. For instance, his leadership in securing major partnerships with key mortgage lenders has resulted in 20% growth over the past 2 years in spite of a significant decrease in market volume. This success is a testament to Ian’s ability to effectively communicate the value of technology and drive widespread adoption.

Ian’s ultimate goal is to help reshape the mortgage experience into one that is seamless, customer-centric,and future-ready. He is committed to ensuring FirstClose remains at the forefront of this transformation by continuously delivering innovative tools and resources that enable lenders to thrive in an ever-changing market. Through his efforts, Ian aims to leave a lasting impact on the industry, empowering businesses to grow and borrowers to achieve homeownership with greater ease and confidence.