MaxConvos

After serving the longest presidency in the Mortgage Bankers Association of New Jersey’s history, Matthew VanFossen reflects on his achievements, including increased engagement and revitalized events. Host LaDonna Lockard and VanFossen emphasize the importance of young professionals entering the mortgage industry to ensure continued growth. VanFossen highlights standout sessions from the recent conference, praising emerging leaders and regional collaboration as keys to the association's success.

In this energizing edition of Max Convos, LaDonna chats with Matthew Blackmer, VP of Business Development at West Capital Lending, about the power of presence, visibility, and authentic leadership. Matthew shares actionable insights on building influence and business by simply showing up and being yourself. He also reflects on the importance of LGBTQIA+ representation and trust in the mortgage industry.

Dylan Latour, founder of Inkpress Digital, discusses his evolving role in shaping content strategies for CEOs, founders, and loan officers in the mortgage space with LaDonna. He explores the power of LinkedIn for professional storytelling and emphasizes the importance of authenticity, especially during Pride Month. Dylan’s advice bridges leadership, representation, and industry innovation.

In this mid-year update, RETR CEO Steven Wynands and host LaDonna Lockard discuss the slow data rollout from regulatory bodies, surprising surges in new MLO and real estate licenses, and what these shifts signal for the housing market. With sales forecasts being revised downward, they explore how industry professionals can still find opportunity. The conversation emphasizes proactive