2026 Convention
EMCEE
Steve Richman
October 5th & 6th | Regency Ballroom AB
About Steve Richman:
Steve Richman has been called energizing, passionate, practical, fun, creative and smart. As a nationally recognized presenter he has spoken to more than 750,000 individuals in every state in America. As a testament to the power of his presentations, over 85% percent of Steve’s presentations are rebookings from those that have previously seen him.
For a quick history about Steve, he is a graduate of The University of Maryland, The George Washington University Law School and is a member of the Maryland State Bar (out of state status). He has taught Public Speaking at Towson University and Negotiations for the Sellinger Business School’s MBA program and is an adjunct faculty member of the Shapiro Negotiations Institute. He has been a guest lecturer at Columbia University’s Business School in New York and has presented on Capitol Hill. He is a certified trainer in DiSC Behavioral Profiling and is a Master Certified Negotiations Trainer. Additionally, he has been a guest on multiple podcasts, radio shows and has published numerous articles and in 2019 and 2024 was named one of the most connected professionals in the mortgage industry by National Mortgage Professional Magazine.
On the personal side, Steve has been luckily married for 31 years (knock on wood), has the greatest son and best daughter in the world and recently got an incredible daughter in law. He is an avid golfer and scuba diver.
Robbie hosts the daily podcast, writes the capital markets section of the Daily Commentary, coordinates and hosts video shows. He began his mortgage career with internships at companies like Residential Pacific Mortgage and Bay Equity, later joining SoFi as Director of Capital Markets after graduating from The University of Texas. He then held roles at TMS, Riivos, and MCT.
Robbie Chrisman &
Steve Richman
Leadership and Industry Drivers a Fireside Chat
October 5th | 9:00 am - 9:45 am | Regency Ballroom AB
Ally Carty
Growth and Brand Strategy Manager for
Home Lending
Next Generation Part 1
October 5th | 10:10 am - 10:55 am | Regency Ballroom AB
About Ally Carty:
Ally Carty, a 25-year-old "Gen-Z Guru," draws inspiration from her experience in the mortgage industry to shed light on the influential role of social media in connecting with potential Gen-Z homebuyers in her life. Transitioning to a role within Guild Mortgage's marketing team as a social media manager, she channels her passion for empowering young individuals to make informed decisions in their first home purchases. Ally brings a fresh perspective into the real estate finance sector, collaborating closely with loan officers to refine strategies, craft personalized approaches, and foster stronger connections with the next generation of homebuyers. Well-known for her generational expertise, she frequently takes the stage as a speaker and panelist at industry-leading events hosted by institutions like the Mortgage Bankers Association and The Mortgage Collaborative. Beyond live events, Ally shares her impactful insights as an active contributor to HousingWire, where she delves into effective methods of engaging Gen-Z homebuyers. Her overarching goal is to shape the future of homebuying, ensuring both loan officers and young homebuyers thrive in a dynamic market landscape.
Kristin Messerli
Speaker, National MI
Next Generation Part II
October 5th | 11:20 am - 12:05 pm | Regency Ballroom AB
About Kristin Messerli:
Kristin Messerli is a leading strategist and keynote speaker on Millennial and Gen Z housing and finance trends. Kristin co-founded the non-profit organization FirstHome IQ, which aims to equip young adults with knowledge about homeownership, driven by her passion to minimize the wealth and education gap.
Kristin has an extensive background working with a variety of lenders, startups, and non-profits, where she has helped to develop successful go-to-market strategies and build consumer trust. Her previous experience includes founding and selling the digital marketing agency Cultural Outreach, which aims to promote sustainable homeownership in underserved communities. In addition, she has served as the VP of Sales and Strategy at Experience.com and provided consultation to several fintech startups on product design, marketing, and research. Since 2020, Kristin has produced and authored the annual NextGen Homebuyer Reports, sponsored by National MI, which showcase key insights from thousands of Millennials and Gen Z consumers. She holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma.
Gina Andrews, Ally Carty, Kristin Messerli
Speakers
Growing my Team
October 5th | 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm | Regency Ballroom AB
October 5th | 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | Regency Ballroom AB
Ally Carty, a 25-year-old "Gen-Z Guru," draws inspiration from her experience in the mortgage industry to shed light on the influential role of social media in connecting with potential Gen-Z homebuyers in her life. Transitioning to a role within Guild Mortgage's marketing team as a social media manager, she channels her passion for empowering young individuals to make informed decisions in their first home purchases. Ally brings a fresh perspective into the real estate finance sector, collaborating closely with loan officers to refine strategies, craft personalized approaches, and foster stronger connections with the next generation of homebuyers. Well-known for her generational expertise, she frequently takes the stage as a speaker and panelist at industry-leading events hosted by institutions like the Mortgage Bankers Association and The Mortgage Collaborative. Beyond live events, Ally shares her impactful insights as an active contributor to HousingWire, where she delves into effective methods of engaging Gen-Z homebuyers. Her overarching goal is to shape the future of homebuying, ensuring both loan officers and young homebuyers thrive in a dynamic market landscape.
Robbie Chrisman, Amy Congdon, Beth Eller, & Ric Spiehs
Speakers
Coach's Corner: Identify Leadership Strenghths
October 5th | 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm | Crepe Myrtle Room
October 5th | 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | Crepe Myrtle Room
Robbie hosts the daily podcast, writes the capital markets section of the Daily Commentary, coordinates and hosts video shows. He began his mortgage career with internships at companies like Residential Pacific Mortgage and Bay Equity, later joining SoFi as Director of Capital Markets after graduating from The University of Texas. He then held roles at TMS, Riivos, and MCT.
William Kooper
MBA Vice President & Senior Specialist,
State and Local Association Engagement
MBA Update
October 5th | 12:10 pm - 12:40 pm | Regency Ballroom AB
About William Kooper:
William Kooper is Vice President of State Government Affairs and Industry Relations at the Mortgage Bankers Association and in that capacity leads MBA's team responsible for advocacy efforts at the state and local levels, the MBA State Advocacy Fund, and MBA's engagement with mortgage banking associations across the country. William developed the State Relations Initiative -- MBA's innovative program to partner with state associations to align business development, communications and advocacy interests. A frequent speaker to MBA’s state and local partners, William also serves as MBA’s representative on the Corporate Board of Governors of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). William joined MBA in January 2001 as Director of Government Affairs, and he has since served in a variety of roles assisting MBA members. Before leading the state program, he was Associate Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs where he directed MBA's nationwide grassroots advocacy program, the Mortgage Action Alliance. and the planning and execution of MBA's National Advocacy Conference. He also served as staff to MBA's political action committee, MORPAC. Prior to joining MBA, William was appointed by President Bill Clinton as Special Assistant and Briefing Coordinator to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo. At HUD, William prepared the Secretary's daily event briefings, wrote the Secretary's weekly report to the President and he also made contributions to Presidential and Vice Presidential briefing documents. William's other positions in and out of government have included Manager of Government Relations at HIP Health Plans in New York City, Senior Legislative Associate to the New York State Assembly Committee on Health, Research Analyst for the New York State Assembly's Council on Health Care Financing, and Confidential Assistant to New York Governor Mario Cuomo. William was born in New York City and raised in Newtown, Connecticut. He received his MPA with a concentration in management from New York University in 1991 and his BA in International Affairs from Trinity University in 1986. William also studied at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom and is a graduate of the Chase Collegiate School in Connecticut.
Andrew Clawson
Government Affairs Advisor/Public Policy
& Governmental Affair
SC Legislative Update
October 5th | 12:40 pm - 1:10 pm | Regency Ballroom AB
About Andrew Clawson:
Coming Soon!
Mouhcine Guettabi
University of North Carolina Wilmington
McNeill Distinguished Professor in Business,
Professor of Economics, and Regional Economist
at the University of North Carolina Wilmington
Economic Drivers in NC and SC
October 5th | 3:50 pm - 4:35pm | Regency Ballroom AB
Session Description:
Dr. Guettabi's presentation will survey the current national economic landscape and examine the conditions shaping growth in North Carolina and South Carolina. The talk will explore the structural forces driving both states' economies, including demographic shifts, labor market dynamics, industry composition, and capital investment, as well as the headwinds and tailwinds that will determine their trajectories in the near term.
About Mouhcine Ghettabi:
Mouhcine Guettabi is the McNeill Distinguished Professor in Business, Professor of Economics, and Regional Economist at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. His work focuses on monitoring the state’s economic indicators and producing economic impact analyses and forecasts. He frequently speaks to private and public organizations about the region’s economic conditions and the policy decisions shaping the community.
Before joining UNCW, he was an associate professor of economics at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). During his time there, he regularly produced economic forecasts, examined the state’s fiscal outlook, analyzed key policy issues, and testified before the legislature. His academic research has appeared in leading economic journals, including the Review of Economics and Statistics, the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, the Journal of Regional Science, and the Journal of Health Economics.
He earned his PhD in economics, with an emphasis in Urban and Regional Economics, from Oklahoma State University in 2012.
Felicia Seedorf
Speaker
New Appraisal Format
October 6th | 10:00 am - 10:30 am | Regency Ballroom AB
About Felicia Seedorf:
Coming Soon!
Andrew Hooper
Speaker & AI Trainer
AI in Action: 5 Strategies for Loan Officers to Build,
Automate, and Stay Ahead
October 6th | 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | Regency Ballroom AB
Session Description:
This session will show loan officers practical ways to use AI to save time, improve communication, create better systems, and stay ahead as the tools continue to evolve. The focus will be real examples, live demos, and takeaways they can actually use in their business.
Bring your laptop to the session!
About Andrew Hooper:
Andrew Hooper is a speaker and AI trainer who helps real estate, lending, and title professionals use AI in practical, approachable ways. He has delivered 300+ live sessions across the East Coast and is known for making AI feel less overwhelming, more useful, and immediately relevant to the work people are already doing.
MBAC 70th Convention
