Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Kenon Chen, EVP Strategy and Growth, Clear Capital.

Episode discussion topics:

Tell us how you got into the mortgage industry?

I believe Clear Capital has been involved with the California MBA since its very early days, which is more than 20 years! What have been the most surprising industry changes for the company in that time?

The company’s mantra on your website reads: Wherever it leads, Whatever it takes. What does that mean for your customers?

Clear Capital was one of the early adopters of technology in the mortgage space. Tell us about how Clear Capital is using AI in your products.

Can you share with our listeners why you chose to support our organization?

To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Daniel Ceniceros, Founder & CEO, Connect Media

Episode discussion topics:

1:59 - What innovative marketing techniques should people be thinking about to get their name out there?

4:37 - What innovative things is Connect doing as a company in this challenging marketing?

10:51 - Let’s do a check in on the commercial real estate finance market in general. How is mid-year 2025 looking for the industry?

13:21 - I’m thrilled to have Connect CRE back at our annual Western States CREF Conference. What should people do to get the most of this event

To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Cody Charfauros, Principal/Managing Director, Slatt Capital

Episode discussion topics:

What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the CRE market since then?

When you were last on Connect, we talked about the adoption of technology in CRE. Where is the industry today?

How is the insurance crisis impacting the commercial real estate finance industry?

You are also serving as this year’s Chair for our 2025 Western States CREF Conference (wscref.com). What are some of the highlights you can share with our listeners?

Western States CREF is our signature event for the CRE industry but the support we receive through membership is crucial to our continued success. What do you share about the value of the California MBA with companies considering membership?

To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Jon Brod, Co-Founder & CMO, Roam

Episode discussion topics:

1:14 - Let’s start with your journey—what sparked your move into the world of AI? Was there a defining moment or inspiration behind that transition?

4:54 - We usually record these podcasts on Zoom, but today we’re on your platform—Roam. What makes Roam different, and why do you believe it’s the better choice for conversations like this?

9:05 - Roam clearly has potential across multiple industries, but where do you see it making the biggest

impact within the mortgage space specifically?

11:29 - Jon, you’re an accomplished entrepreneur and founder of several companies over the years. What advice would you give someone who wants to launch their own company?

13:46 - We truly appreciate your support at the Mortgage Innovators Conference and your decision to join the California MBA. What motivated you to get involved, and why does this partnership matter to you?

To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Amy Moses, Business Development Consultant, MISMO

Episode discussion topics:

1:28 - I always like to get started with a little background, so tell us how you got into the mortgage business

2:44 - Can you share with our listeners a little more about MISMO and the value the organization brings to the lending industry? How can lenders become involved?

6:12 - What are some of the key initiatives underway at MISMO right now that will benefit the industry? Anything that will help lenders cut costs in these trying times?

9:03 - What are the big trends in mortgage technology that you see for the next 12 months? I assume increased use of AI but is there anything in particular?

11:50 - Can you share with our listeners why you choose to support our organization?

Subscribe to MISMO Matters here! https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a468c0d093284b9ba54fd2f3afad7731

Register for the MISMO Fall Summit, September 15-18 in Annapolis, MD - https://www.mismo.org/events-education/mismo-summit-

To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Caren Castle, Managing Attorney, California, The Mortgage Law Firm

Episode discussion timestamps:

I always like to get started with our journeys to the mortgage industry. Tell us how you got into this business. 

You’ve had such an impressive legal career and have really been a trailblazer for women in this industry—often the only woman in the room. We’ve even heard you called an icon. How does that label sit with you?

I heard you have a special connection to an Olympic medalist and a member of the judiciary.  Can you elaborate on that?    

With a footprint that spans seven Western states, including Hawaii, your firm clearly has a strategic regional reach. Can you walk us through how that came to be and what that means for your clients?

The Mortgage Law Firm is new to the California MBA and is becoming active. Can you share with our listeners why you chose to support our organization? 

To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Mitch Kider, Managing Partner, Weiner Brodsky Kider, PC 

Episode discussion timestamps:

1:29 - The last time you were on Connect; we were fresh off the 2024 Presidential election. Now that this Administration has taken so many actions across the board that impact lenders, what are you sharing with lenders about the current state of the CFPB?

4:27 - It has been stated, and we’re certainly seeing it in California, that the actions at the federal level will force states to be more aggressive from a legislative or regulatory standpoint.  How are you seeing the states react?

9:12 - In this type of uncertain regulatory environment, what advice are you giving lenders?

10:33 - Outside of the regulatory environment for a moment, what are some of trends in litigation for lenders?

You’ve been a big supporter of the California MBA, for which I’m always grateful.  From what you’ve shared today, its clear that the advocacy efforts of the state MBAs becomes much more significant in this Administration.  Why should lenders support the state MBAs in which they’re licensed?

To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Tom Davis, Chief Sales Officer, Deephaven Mortgage.

Episode discussion timestamps:

1:30 - You became interested in the mortgage industry as a child. Tell me what you love about it and what keeps you so optimistic.

3:44 - Deephaven Mortgage offers HELOANs and HELOCs that allow alternative income options. You recently announced product updates for your HELOAN closed-end second that now include DSCR income for real estate investors. Why do you consider this a good time to innovate in the second mortgage / equity solutions space?

7:44 - Who are the non-QM borrowers most in need of a second lien or HELOC option? Where are the opportunities to serve self-employed borrowers or real estate investors, for example?

9:59 - What other growth areas do you see for loan officers in the non-QM space?

15:53 - Deephaven has been a long-time California MBA. Member. Can you share with our listeners why you chose to support our organization?

To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Cheryl Messner, PRODUCT, Polly

Episode discussion timestamps:

1:29 - Tell us how you got into the mortgage business

3:22 - How do you see business intelligence and analytics evolving in the mortgage industry over the next few years?

5:38 - Polly continues to experience significant growth. In your opinion, what are the key differentiators driving lenders to choose Polly over legacy pricing engines?

8:23 - Polly has gained quite a bit of attention in terms of innovation and overall pace of delivery. How does Polly approach the product roadmap and prioritize what comes next?

10:39 - Can you share with our listeners why Polly chooses to support the California MBA and Mortgage Innovators?

RSVP to Polly's #MBASecondary25 reception event: https://connect.polly.io/2025-mba-secondary/reception-rsvp

Follow Polly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pollyex/

To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Praveen Chandramohan, SVP, Origination Growth Solutions, Cotality

Episode discussion timestamps:

1:27 - How you got into the mortgage business

2:44 - Big changes recently with the rebrand of CoreLogic to Cotality. Can you share with our listeners a little background on what inspired that change?

5:21 - Cotality has always focused on creating opportunities for customer retention. What’s the main focus on that for 2025 for the company?

7:15 - How do you see business intelligence and analytics evolving in the mortgage industry over the next few years? Where is Cotality heading to meet these needs?

9:59 - Cotality is a member of the California MBA, and a Premier Sponsors at our Mortgage Innovators Conference happening May 7 - 8; thank you so much for your support. Can you share with our listeners why you choose to support our organization?

11:32 - You and I communicated earlier this year about the data your company has been compiling data on the Southern California wildfires. Are there any insights you can share around that data?

Lenders, use "Cotality-Lenders" at checkout for an extra discount. Register for the Mortgage Innovators Conference here - https://my.cmba.com/events/mic25.html

To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com