Erin found her way into the mortgage industry by starting out in accounting, moving into compliance, vendor management, and  Due Diligence Warehouse Manager. Then eventually she became an Internal Audit Manager. She evaluates company policies and procedures, identifies deficiencies, and recommends improvements.  With thirteen years of experience, she is a subject matter expert who interacts with high-level executives and presents at industry conferences. She notes that the mortgage industry is particularly friendly to workers without degrees because all the skills can be learned on the job and through short company-sponsored training programs. That said, she still worries that she could be displaced by someone with a bachelor’s degree. Erin reflects, “When I think about if there was somebody else sitting right next to me with the same skillset, but they have a bachelor’s degree, I don’t know who they are going to pick.”

Erin has learned the importance of self care as she has navigated the industry. As a woman of color, she has experienced micro-aggressions on the job and has learned to navigate them. She plans to recommended development of a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging committee in her organization, and she believes that companies should recognize the importance of mental health. Her experiences has made Erin want to “pay it forward”. On top of the demands of being a full-time worker and single parent, she serves on the board of directors of a local nonprofit.   Her discipline, public speaking skills, communication skills, and experiences working with high level executives are useful contributions to the organization and she finds personal fulfillment in expanding her comfort zone and building her leadership skills. Erin’s dream job is to support young people in their personal journeys as a life coach or counsellor.