Michelle Bobart: Thriving as a Female Leader in Mortgage Lending

Bridget: Welcome to CCM Talks. I am Bridget Linton, and today I am joined by Branch Manager and SVP of Mortgage Lending, Michelle Bobart. Michelle, thanks so much for joining us.

Michelle: Absolutely.

Bridget: So you’ve been in home financing since 1997. So it’s been a long time. But you just recently made the move to CCM. Why did you make the move?

Michelle: Well, there’s many reasons I made the move, but I would say the, the one, the standout is the amazing, amazing product selection. So, I’ve always been known as an industry, industry guru, outside-the-box thinker, and, that I can get all the complex deals done. So having such an expansive platform of Non-QM, but in-house, is key because I was having to broker more and more of those types of tougher transactions and now doing it in-house. I have complete control, which gives me peace of mind and can just allows for consistent client experience.

Bridget: And it is amazing what CCM is able to provide tools wise, technology. But something I love about this company too is the culture. Can you touch on that a little bit more?

Michelle: Yeah, the culture is amazing. You know, feeling really blessed. Has been, again, a female originator in a primarily dominated, male dominated business. I’ve just really, from day one, felt all the love and support, and just also love seeing that we have so many fabulous females at all different levels in our company.

Bridget: It definitely makes CrossCountry Mortgage unique in that sense, that we have so many female leaders within this company and you yourself, you’re a female leader and your numbers are incredible. You’ve helped more than 3,500 families get into homes and have funded more than $1 billion in mortgages. Do you have a secret?

Michelle: Well, you know, you learn from your mistakes. And one of the keys that I did early on was I was hiring people a lot like me. So I don’t need more of me. I need, opposite, complementary.

I need my, I need to build a team, and I’ve built a team, that really fills in the gaps that either of things I don’t like to do or I’m not good at. So that’s been a real key to my success, hiring folks that emulate your same core values and client and want to also deliver the same client experience.

Bridget: And we were talking about women earlier and how we have so many within CrossCountry Mortgage. You yourself, you’re a motivator. You’re a leader. Why is it so important to you to help other women, both personally and professionally?

Michelle: Yeah. You know, women, women juggle so much, you know, most are raising families, and again, all different things, women do it all.

And I think that this industry, again, setting up the right team and supporting women to help them succeed, they can have it all. They can have a thriving career, meaningful career. But also be able to have a quality life, quality work balance.

Bridget: And if there is a woman out there that’s watching, that’s considering coming to CCM but isn’t quite sure, what would you tell them?

Michelle: Without, without a doubt, please join. It’s been a great experience so far. I was with a previous company 16 years, and I’ve only been here a little over six months, and it’s been fun, been fantastic.

Bridget: So another great thing about CrossCountry Mortgage is, yes, of course, we want to win. Of course, we want to work together. But they also give back to the community so much. And I know you’re also very passionate about that. Can you touch on some of the organizations that you work with?

Michelle: Yeah, I being in major metro downtown Chicago for over 26 years, I have a huge heart to give back to community. And, you know, you see also socioeconomic status when you live in large major metro areas.

So do a lot with children, supporting them, keeping them safe after school. A lot of different programs I support. But in addition, I work with women behind bars in prison ministries. So that’s really something I’m really passionate about.

Bridget: Amazing. Well, thank you so much for all you do. And looking ahead, I know you’re newer to CrossCountry Mortgage. What are some of your goals both personally and professionally?

Michelle: Yeah. So, you know, excited to have my own branch. My goal in the next three years is to be one of the top ten branches in CrossCountry, I guess that would be my professional goal. And then personally, I’m a huge adventurist. I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro, I’ve swam with the great white sharks, so I’ve got a big something brewing for 2025. Another, probably just another big climb.

Bridget: So. Okay, well, my next question to wrap up the interview was going to be, do you have a fun fact? But I feel like you just gave it to us. Do you have anything else that you do?

Michelle: Well, I would say thrill seeker is my number one.

Bridget: Oh my gosh, that is incredible.

Well, Michelle, thank you so much for joining us. You’re such an inspiration. We appreciate all you do for CrossCountry Mortgage and women within the company. And if you’re looking for a career at CrossCountry Mortgage, make sure you visit CCM.com and we hope to see you on our next episode of CCM Talks.