Penn’s efforts will extend to place-based initiatives in cities like Philadelphia, Columbus, Ohio, and Memphis, Tennessee, where MBA is working to improve housing affordability. She will also collaborate with consumer advocacy groups, civil rights organizations, and affordable housing stakeholders to tackle the complex challenges facing the housing market today.
Before joining MBA, Penn spent over 15 years at the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), where she managed housing affordability programs.
“Wendy is a respected and successful leader in the housing affordability space and has an impressive track record before and during her time at MBA in leading initiatives that have made housing more accessible and affordable for all,” MBA chief economist Mike Fratantoni said in a media release.
Amber Lawrence, a longtime MBA staffer, has been promoted to Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Lawrence, who has been with the organization for nearly two decades, will now oversee MBA’s DEI strategy, working to implement equitable practices across the organization and the broader mortgage industry.
In her new role, Lawrence will help guide MBA’s DEI programs, partnering with leadership to develop policies that support inclusivity. She has been a key figure in advancing MBA’s DEI efforts, collaborating with teams to create data-driven strategies aimed at improving diversity and inclusion across the industry.
Source: mpamag.com