NEXAFEST 2025

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SPEAKERS FOR THIS EVENT

RENE RODRIGUEZ

Best-selling author | Keynote Speaker

GISELLE UGARTE

Motivational Speaker

Speaker Circle Frame for Mike Kortas

MIKE KORTAS

Chief Executive Officer | NEXA

RANA MORTENSEN

Executive Director | NEXA

JASON DUPONT

Chief Operations Officer | NEXA

Speaker Circle Frame for Geri farr

GERI FARR

Chief Growth Officer | NEXA

Speaker Circle Frame for Allen Beydoun

ALLEN BEYDOUN

EVP, Chief Client Officer | UWM

Speaker Circle Frame for Eddy Perez

EDDY PEREZ

Founder & CEO | EPM

Speaker Circle Frame for Phil Mancusco

PHIL MANCUSCO

Chief Investment Officer | EPM

Speaker Circle Frame for Kim Nichols

KIM NICHOLS

Chief TPO Production Officer | Pennymac TPO

Speaker Circle Frame for Jonathon Haddad

JONATHON HADDAD

CEO & Chairman | AIME

LAURA BRANDAO

CEO of Lighthouse Advisors, LLC.

LACEY BRUTSCHY

Realtor | Top 1% Agents in the US

MARILYN MACHA

Corporate Consultant | Executive Coach

Speaker Circle Frame for Tyler Bohn

TYLER BOHN

Managing Director of Strategic and National Accounts | Deephaven Mortgage

Speaker Circle Frame for Tom Davis

TOM DAVIS

Chief Sales Officer | Deephaven Mortgage

Speaker Circle Frame for Derek McGowan

DEREK MCGOWAN

Branch Manager | NEXA

LIZ LOPEZ

DSCR Mortgage Gal Top Producer | NEXA

LOREN RIDDICK

National Director of Reverse Lending | NEXA

RENATO RODIC

Co-Founder | Loan Officer Support, CEO | MLOBOX

HOLLY NIEMEIER

Top-producing Loan Officer | NEXA

MICHELLE McCUE

Senior Loan Officer | NEXA

TARA KRIEG

Senior Loan Officer | NEXA

AMERA SADAKNE

Branch Manager and National Recruiter | NEXA

ROBERT LUCIDO JR.

Chief Strategy Officer of Lucido Global | Keller Williams

JOHN WISE

EVP Sales – National Production | Newfi Lending

More Speakers Coming Soon!

We’re finalizing an incredible lineup of speakers for this year’s event—industry leaders, trailblazers, and innovators who will inspire and empower you. Stay tuned and keep an eye out for exciting announcements. You won’t want to miss the insights, stories, and strategies for success that await!

Considered by many as the leading authority on leadership and influence, Rene Rodriguez is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, leadership advisor, and transformational speaker coach. For the last 27 years, René has been researching and applying behavioral neuroscience to solve some of the toughest challenges in leadership, sales, and change.

As an entrepreneur and CEO of multiple companies, Rene integrates a practical business approach that inspires his audiences to take action. Through his keynote, boot camps, workshops and proprietary Amplifii™ course, he helps us own our backstory to build the frame for not only our unique value propositions but also a beautiful picture of life.
His audiences describe him as “powerful”, “thought-provoking”, and “authentic”. They say things like, “you could hear a pin drop as everyone was so captivated.”

The result: greater influence, personal transformation, and immediate results in business and life by engaging with courage and grace.
His Best Selling book AMPLIFY YOUR INFLUENCE can be found on Amazon and all major retailers.

Giselle Ugarte is a renowned performance coach, top motivational speaker, and leading advisor for forward-facing professionals who want to build confidence, impact, and visibility—online and especially off. With more than 15 years of experience in media, marketing, and entrepreneurship, she has coached thousands of executives, real estate professionals, and business owners to use video as a powerful tool for connection, credibility, and conversion. Recognized by TikTok as a Top 100 Woman to Watch and featured in Forbes, AdWeek, and The Hollywood Reporter, Giselle is here to help you shift your mind to embrace the art and power of video and turn views into meaningful action.

Mike Kortas is a seasoned mortgage professional with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as the CEO of NEXA Mortgage, a company he co-founded in 2017. Under hisleadership, NEXA Mortgage has rapidly ascended to become the largest mortgage broker in U.S. history, a testament to his strategic vision and operational expertise. Mike has held various influential roles in the mortgage industry, including Loan Originator, Team Leader, and Vice President, showcasing his versatility and depth of knowledge. His focus on building strong teams and fostering a supportive environment for independent loan officers has been pivotal in the company’s success.

Residing in Gilbert, Arizona, Mike balances his professional life with family, enjoying time with his wife and four adult children. His commitment to excellence in the mortgage sector is matched by his passion for mentoring others in the industry.

Rana Mortensen is a force multiplier, who is always willing to take on any task from any department. Mortensen is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, working directly with the owners, company managers and directors to ensure everything is running efficiently and effectively. She helps create and execute the implementation of future plans. She also created a group called “Women of NEXA” to bring recognition and support to all the women within the organization. The motto she created for this group is “stepping together as WON” aiming to inspire and empower women to achieve more within the mortgage industry. As a leader, Mortensen exudes honesty, integrity and the desire to serve others. She consistently puts the needs of others above her own to achieve success for the larger good of the company.

Jason duPont is a high-performance strategist who specializes in obliterating the limits that keep professionals trapped in mediocrity.

Known as “The Relentless Catalyst,” he operates from a core belief that talent without obsession is waste and that strategic obsession, not discipline, sustains elite performance.

Jason doesn’t coddle or comfort. He calibrates and ignites. He teaches high-achievers to replace fleeting motivation with sustainable obsession, showing them how to become so consumed with their potential that excellence becomes inevitable.

Jason’s mission remains constant: to cultivate obsession that transforms struggle into strategy and uncertainty into competitive advantage.

“He doesn’t flinch. He calibrates, calculates, then climbs.”

 

Geri Farr is a wife and mother of two daughters, a transplanted Texan who calls Arizona home. She brings both heart and determination to her role as Chief Growth Officer at NEXA Mortgage, where she is dedicated to building a culture that empowers loan officers to thrive and succeed.

A seasoned mortgage banking executive, Geri has a proven track record of guiding companies through pivotal transitions, scaling teams to record-breaking production, and creating frameworks that drive sustainable growth. Her leadership style blends operational excellence with a people-first approach, ensuring that NEXA’s loan officers have the support, tools, and vision they need to achieve at the highest level.

At NEXA, Geri’s mission is clear: to elevate the organization into the premier destination for originators by fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation. Passionate about growth and culture, she is relentless in her pursuit of helping others break barriers, exceed expectations, and reach their full potential in an ever-evolving marketplace.

As the executive vice president of Sales at United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), Allen Beydoun is the fuel that keeps UWM’s sales engine moving full speed ahead through his strong work ethic and extraordinary attitude, inspiring his team to provide constant communication and quick turn times for each client. He leads hundreds of account executives, utilizing his deep mortgage knowledge to create educational materials that allow the sales team to better serve their clients and ultimately grow broker businesses. Beydoun is a champion of the broker community; under his tenure, independent mortgage brokers achieved 26.6% market share in 1Q24, the highest percentage since 2009.

Overseeing one of the largest teams at UWM, Beydoun provides mentorship and guidance while driving effort and production, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment while prioritizing the needs of his team and UWM’s clients. What separates Allen from others in similar roles is his ability to not only identify issues or problems but develop innovative solutions. Beydoun understands the opportunities and challenges his team and UWM’s broker clients face at an individual level, and collaborates with them to develop strategies to help them reach their goals. Driven by the phrase, “The road to success is we, not me,” Beydoun knows success can only be achieved through teamwork and the dedication of every individual involved in the loan process, from brokers and account executives to underwriters and operations specialists. His impressive leadership skills drive his team’s productivity and determination, leading to exceptional performance and undeniable results.

Eddy Perez, CMB, is Founder and CEO of EPM based in Atlanta, Georgia where he oversees overall operations, sales, revenue, marketing, compliance and technology. As co-founder of EPM, recognized as part of the Inc. 5000, he has excelled within the mortgage industry being named one of the nation’s top mortgage bankers, recognized in National Mortgage Professionals Magazine’s “40 Most Influential Mortgage Professionals under 40.”

Throughout his distinguished career he has held multiple executive-level positions. Prior to co-founding EPM, in 2008, he operated the top producing office for Global Mortgage, Inc. He holds the prestigious Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation which he earned in October 2014. Perez is the chairman of the MORPAC, panelist for MBA future leaders program, holds a seat on the Board of Directors with the MBA and now co-chair of the new MBA affordable housing council. Check out his Vlog www.eddygperezjr.com.

Phil Mancuso has worked in the financial services industry for several decades and continues to make it better with his futuristic style of thinking as well customer service skills in communication and keeping his word. Phil believes that one plus one doesn’t always have to equal two… Maybe we can think outside of the box and come up with something that only people have dreamed of. As a strong financial professional, strategist, and leader, Phil believes that a rising tide can lift all boats and when we unify through collaboration, we can get the job done. Today, Phil is the President or “El Presidente” of Appraisal Nation and President, CIO, and a Partner at EPM. More gets done with Phil than without him and EPM, Appraisal Nation, and the other partners are grateful for his leadership every day.

Kim Nichols is an award-winning mortgage executive leading Pennymac TPO, one of the top wholesale lenders in the country. She offers over 30 years of expertise in various mortgage financial service areas, including capital markets, operations, underwriting, and credit across all production channels.

Nichols joined Pennymac in 2011 as part of the core leadership team charged with building the foundation for what is now the largest correspondent investor in the country. She spent the beginning of her career in secondary marketing and capital markets, followed by 10 years of experience in the mortgage insurance space, where she further expanded her expertise and gained deeper insights into the credit aspects of mortgage finance. She later became a recognized leader in the correspondent channel, including positions at GMAC RFC and Bank of America.

Jonathon Haddad is a nationally recognized leader in the mortgage industry and the current President of Next Door Lending, recently acquired by NerdWallet. He also serves as CEO of the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME), where he champions the growth of the broker channel and empowers over 20,000 loan officers nationwide. With more than a decade of experience, Jonathon has built his reputation on combining high-level strategy with hands on coaching, helping professionals master sales, leadership, and personal accountability.

Beyond his executive roles, Jonathon is an engaging coach, speaker, and podcast host who blends real estate expertise with practical frameworks that inspire action. AIME’s motto, “Brokers are Best,” reflects his commitment to strengthening communities through independent mortgage professionals. A dedicated husband and father of three, Jonathon brings a grounded, people first approach to everything he does, challenging audiences to think bigger, break barriers, and own their voice

Laura Brandao is a trailblazing leader in the mortgage industry, renowned for her unwavering dedication to empowering others to reach their highest potential. As the CEO of Lighthouse Advisors, LLC, a national mortgage consulting firm, Laura provides transformative executive oversight, fractional C-Suite services, and strategic partnerships that propel companies to peak performance. Laura was the first employee and a pivotal force behind AFR Wholesale, where she served as President and Partner. Under her leadership, the company rose to prominence as a top 10 FHA wholesale lender. Beyond her professional achievements, Laura is deeply committed to advancing the mortgage community through advocacy, mentorship, and education. She chairs NAMMBA’s Visionary Program, the MBA-NJ Women’s Committee, and serves on the board of MBA-NJ. Her dedication extends further as Chair of Women with Vision and as a key contributor to the NAMB DEI Committee. In addition to her role at Lighthouse Advisors, Laura serves on the Board of Directors for Clear Closer, Friday Harbor, and More Align, further amplifying her impact across the financial and housing sectors.

Lacey Brutschy is a nationally ranked Realtor in the top 1% of agents in the United States, according to The Wall Street Journal, and a consistent Top 100 producer in Dallas–Fort Worth. She’s built her business on the back of TikTok, where her community of more than 117,000 followers has translated into over $18 million in annual sales directly from social media leads, contributing to her $30M+ yearly production.
Known for turning short-form content into real clients, Lacey has become a leading example of how social platforms can generate serious business without sacrificing authenticity.

Marilyn J. Macha is a corporate consultant and executive coach who specializes in customized strategies to move leaders to a new level of aliveness and success. She teaches, through her own experiences and extensive training, the Art of Success through the Science of Fulfillment.
Marilyn and her company were acknowledged in FORBES as one of Houston’s “top financial experts.”


Marilyn Macha, founder and former President of Houston Wealth Strategies, Houston, Texas, is a visionary for financial awareness, wisdom and freedom. She has been supporting her clients through visionary work for 30 years by helping people design investment portfolios specifically aligned with the individuals’ goals and dreams. This experience guided her into supporting individuals, desiring a life of prosperity and contribution, through coaching and corporate consulting.
Marilyn was recognized every year from 2007-2013, when she sold her investment firm, in Texas Monthly Magazine as one of the top service oriented financial advisors in Houston. She was also acknowledged in the Forbes Magazine, May 10, 2010 Texas subscription edition, as one of Houston’s “financial experts.” She was also highlighted as one of the “Dynamic Women of Houston” in the Houston/Modern Luxury magazine in the October 2013 edition. Marilyn was invited to attend the Barron’s Winner’s Circle Top Women Advisors Summit annually from 2008-2013.

Tyler Bohn joined Deephaven Mortgage in 2022 and is the Managing Director of Strategic and National Accounts. Tyler brings over 15 years of senior-level experience in the mortgage industry. He has held leadership positions at Incenter, Solidifi, First American Mortgage Solutions, American Home Mortgage Servicing and Option One Mortgage. He holds a B.A. in Communications for the University of California, San Diego.

Tom Davis is Deephaven Mortgage’s Chief Sales Officer. In this role, he manages Deephaven’s wholesale and correspondent sales teams and marketing initiatives. As an extensively trained mortgage-industry professional, Tom brings over 20 years of experience helping lending partners with their agency and non-QM needs. Over the course of his career, Tom has worked at Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Finance of America Mortgage. He holds a Bachelor of Finance and Business Administration degree from Florida Atlantic University

 

Derek McGowan is a distinguished mortgage professional based in Kansas City, Missouri, serving as the Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer at McGowan Mortgages. His career in the mortgage industry commenced in 2016, and he has since achieved remarkable milestones, including being recognized as the #1 Loan Officer at NEXA Mortgage and ranking within the top 1% of Loan Officers nationwide.

Under Derek’s leadership, McGowan Mortgages has earned a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and a client-centric approach. The firm offers a comprehensive range of mortgage products, catering to diverse financial goals and needs. Clients have lauded Derek and his team for their exceptional communication, efficiency, and dedication to securing favorable rates, often highlighting their ability to close deals promptly.

Derek’s commitment to excellence extends beyond individual transactions; he is actively involved in industry events and has been featured as a speaker at notable conferences, sharing insights on innovation and growth within the mortgage sector. His proactive approach and deep understanding of the industry have solidified his status as a trusted advisor to both clients and peers.

For those seeking personalized mortgage solutions backed by expertise and a track record of success, Derek McGowan and his team at McGowan Mortgages stand out as a premier choice in the Kansas City area and beyond.

 

Liz Lopez is a seasoned mortgage professional with over 20 years of experience, blending expertise from underwriting, branch operations, and loan origination. Currently a licensed loan officer with NEXA Mortgage, she consistently ranks in the top 1% of loan officers nationwide (2024 and YTD).

Liz built her foundation in underwriting, spending 10 years with Wells Fargo, specializing in Conventional, FHA, and VA loans. She later transitioned to leadership as a Branch Operations Manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage, where she oversaw daily operations and team efficiency. This diverse background gave her a 360° view of the mortgage business.

In 2018, Liz expanded into real estate investing, giving her firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities investors face. That experience fueled her passion to specialize in DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans and investor-focused financing solutions, where she now guides investors to scale their portfolios with confidence and creativity.

She is actively engaged in nationwide investor networks including SubTo/Owners Club, The Science of Flipping, and Contrarian Thinking, which keeps her at the forefront of strategies that benefit her clients.

Born in Mexico and raised in New Jersey, Liz move to Arizona at 20 and now resides in Scottsdale with her two children, ages 8 and 17. Outside of her professional life, she is passionate about fitness—you’ll often find her in the gym, hiking desert trails, or biking the Arizona greenbelt.

Liz’s combination of deep Wells Fargo underwriting expertise, Fairway operational leadership, and investor experience uniquely position her as a trusted partner for real estate investors nationwide.

As DSCR Mortgage Gal, she delivers solutions that go beyond traditional financing—helping clients build lasting wealth through real estate.

Loren Riddick is a nationally recognized mortgage leader with over 26 years of experience and more than $600 million in lifetime loan volume. As one of the few professionals proficient in both forward and reverse lending, Loren brings unmatched passion, versatility, integrity, and results to every client and partnership. A fifth-generation East Tennessean, Loren blends deep local roots with national influence. As National Director of Reverse Lending at NEXA Mortgage, he architects a scalable, transparent, and mentorship-driven opportunity—empowering NEXANS and its Reverse Mortgage Specialists to thrive while elevating client and referral partner outcomes. Loren holds the prestigious Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional (CRMP) designation, a distinction shared by fewer than 200 professionals nationwide. A respected voice in the industry, for over a decade he has spoken at multiple National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) conferences and is currently serving his fourth year on NRMLA’s Board of Directors. His passion for education and advocacy has empowered professionals across mortgage, real estate, legal, and financial planning sectors to serve aging clients with dignity, clarity, and measurable business success and increase. 

Beyond the business arena, Loren’s commitment to community shines through with his 26-year run of the Stars of Tomorrow basketball camp—a free program that has impacted over 2,000 children with sports, mentorship, and life lessons. A devoted husband of 31+ years and proud father of two, Loren leads with heart, purpose, and a legacy mindset—building not just businesses, but positively impacting lives and mortgage practices that make a lasting difference from coast
to coast.

I’m Holly Niemeier, a top-producing Loan Officer with NEXA Mortgage and founder of Investor Loan Solutions, specializing in DSCR investor loans, portfolio financing, hard money, and rehab lending. In 2024, I closed 275 loans— all but eight were DSCR— solidifying my position as one of the top producers in the country and a trusted resource for real estate investors.

My path in the mortgage industry began years ago in the subprime era, where I first learned the importance of adaptability and perseverance. Over time, I discovered that long-term success requires more than working around the clock—it’s about building systems, leveraging support, and focusing on relationships. By honing in on the investor niche, I created a business model that not only scaled but also gave me the ability to balance my career with my most important role: being a single mom to my daughter, Aspen.

Today, I’m passionate about helping investors access financing that fuels growth, educating agents on how to serve investor clients, and mentoring loan officers on the power of specializing in a niche. My story is proof that with the right focus, commitment, and “why,” it’s possible to achieve both business growth and personal freedom.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my daughter Aspen and our dog Maverick, exploring the outdoors through RV road trips and national park adventures. We also homeschool, which allows us to weave education into our travels and daily life. I’m passionate about art, music, and creating meaningful experiences—whether that’s homeschooling projects, exploring new places, or building community. My personal life fuels my professional purpose, keeping me grounded in family, connection, and inspiring others to pursue their own version of success.

Michelle McCue is a top-producing loan officer at NEXA Mortgage, nationally recognized for her deep expertise in non-QM lending and supporting clients with challenged credit. Ranked among the Top 100 Non-QM Loan Officers by Scotsman Guide, and a three-time NEXA Elite and Presidents Club honoree, Michelle is known not just for closing loans—but for opening doors to new possibilities. Her approach is rooted in compassion, diligence, and an unwavering belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve homeownership.

A proud graduate of Northwestern University with a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Michelle blends academic rigor with hands-on experience and empathetic service. As a mother of seven and dog mom to six, she understands the complexities of life—and brings that same balance, resilience, and tenacity to her work.

Michelle leads a family-based team that treats every loan as personal. Whether guiding first-time homebuyers, supporting clients rebuilding after financial hardship, or assisting experienced investors, she delivers expert, relationship-focused service. Her mission is clear: to make homeownership accessible, achievable, and empowering for everyone.

 

Tara Krieg has been a leader in the mortgage industry for over 23 years. She began her career in 2002, became an independent loan officer in 2011, and later served as a Branch Manager with Amerifirst Financial, personally funding more than $100 million in 2020. In 2018, her husband, Chad, joined the business, and together they launched TK Team Lending under Nexa Mortgage in 2023, building a family-centered model rooted in trust, collaboration, and client service.

Tara’s accomplishments include being Valedictorian of her graduating class at The Core Training, achieving Level 3 Core Graduate status, earning the Blue Dragon Award, the first-ever Paul Palasick Award for integrity in business, and being a Platinum Performer for more than a decade. Beyond production, her proudest achievement is the loyal team she’s built, whose long-standing dedication continues to help families achieve the dream of homeownership.

Amera Sadakne, a mortgage professional with nearly 20 years of experience, joined NEXA Mortgage in 2020 and earned the prestigious NEXA Elite recognition in 2024, bringing proven expertise and innovative strategies to every client and industry conversation.

In addition to running Moxie Mortgage, a top team with Nexa, Robert is the Chief Strategy Officer of Lucido Global, the largest real estate team with Keller Williams. Lucido Global has sold more than $5B in real estate since 2020. Prior to entering the real estate industry, Robert played professional baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers.

John Wise, EVP of Sales for Newfi Wholesale. John has 37 years of experience in Mortgage and Real Estate with a heavy focus on the TPO Non-Agency space. John is an entrepreneur at heart having started or helped to start multiple mortgage and real estate firms. For most of his professional career, whether working for Goldman Sachs in New York, running his own mortgage company, or running sales for Newfi, his service-based approach has always been the foundation of his success.