Winners spoke to CMP during an 'amazing' ceremony
The Canadian Mortgage Awards returned in spectacular fashion last Thursday (May 2), with hundreds of mortgage professionals in attendance at Toronto’s Congress Centre for a night that will live long in the memory.
The glitzy awards gala celebrated its 18th year in style, with some of the industry’s leading names in hot competition for top prizes across 28 categories honouring top brokers, lenders, business development managers, brokerages, service industry providers and more.
With a plethora of hugely talented mortgage professionals among this year’s list of Excellence Awardees, overall winners on the night recognized the honour and prestige associated with coming out on top.
Zeynep Babir (pictured below), broker and vice president of sales at 8Twelve Mortgage, told Canadian Mortgage Professional that winning the Scarlett Network Award for Digital Innovation in a Brokerage reflected founding principles that remain as stronger as ever at the company.
“It’s a testament to all the work we’re putting in and to our dedication to digital innovation as a brokerage from day one,” she said. “That’s how we’ve been able to transform and scale our business, and be able to help as many Canadian families through this journey, having a seamless experience.”
A ‘surreal but amazing’ feeling
Isabel Eydlin (pictured below) of First National Excalibur, who won in the Lender BDM of the Year – Alternative Lending category, said it was a “surreal but amazing” feeling to walk on stage and accept the award.
“It’s very different than going up there product-knowledge wise in brokers’ offices and having to go in front of your peers and everybody else to speak from the heart,” she said.
“It’s a stunning venue, great energy – I love it. I’m really grateful and thankful for everybody that nominated me, and I really appreciate it. I’m looking forward to another year of this.”
For Canadian Mortgages Inc.’s Amanda Carnevale (pictured below), winning the Lender BDM of the Year – Private Lending award reflected a strong focus on forging connections and being as supportive as possible to the broker community during turbulent times.
The stars of the mortgage industry were out in full force last night for the Canadian Mortgage Awards, with an audience of hundreds in attendance at the Toronto Congress Centre for the glitzy ceremony.https://t.co/I4AY0Bp1vB#MortgageAwardsCA
— Canadian Mortgage Professional Magazine (@CMPmagazine) May 3, 2024
“I think about my partners and how I can help them. I always try to be there to support them in any way that I can,” she said. “Going above and beyond – that’s how I’ve always been successful in my role.
“I think this year with the times and the way things are a little bit more challenging, that support and communication is the most important thing. At the end of the day, we’re a team.”
Davinder Powar (pictured below) of AKAL Mortgages Inc., winner of the Canadian Mortgages Inc. Award for Broker of the Year – Private Lending, described the “amazing” feeling of winning his first Canadian Mortgage Award after a long and consistent streak as a top-level private broker.
The Lender BDM of the Year – Prime award went to First National Financial’s Sabrina Greig, who paid tribute to her fellow Excellence Awardees in the category and said hard work and perseverance were key reasons behind her win.
“I’m extremely grateful for this recognition,” she said. “I work with so many amazing other BDMs. I feel like I have really good relationships with a lot of them in my area as well, and I appreciate our relationships.
“I persevere, and I try to see everything from every angle – from the broker angle and from the lender angle as well.”
The Real Estate and Mortgage Institute of Canada (REMIC) came away with the Industry Service Provider of the Year award, a “fantastic” feeling that president and chief executive officer Joe White said was the culmination of a productive year for the organization.
“There are a lot of fantastic companies that we were up against, and we were just honoured to be in that group and to make some type of contribution to his wonderful industry,” he said. “We had a huge last few months with a push on the PMC course, and this is really gratifying for our team who spent so much extra time supporting the industry.”
‘A founder’s dream come true’
With HALO Advisory | TMG Black Capital winning the MCAN Award for New Brokerage of the Year award, principal broker Stephen Thomas shared his satisfaction at a second consecutive victory for the company.
“The secret is just advice – strategic partnership and pursuing excellence in the commercial and mortgage industry as a whole,” he said. “It’s a founder’s dream comes true. Every brokerage business starts out with a dream… and today is a dream come true for us.”
Canada Guaranty’s Mary Putnam (pictured below) received a standing ovation as she collected the Haventree Bank Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Mortgage Industry – and said there were a few simple keys to her success over the years.
“Hard work. Perseverance. Don’t give up. Keep trying. Keep making yourself relevant,” she said. “I know it’s an overused statement but it’s the most truthful thing. I want our customers to call me first when they have a question.”
An ‘amazing’ feeling for top underwriter
Edmonton-based Darren Schienbein (pictured below) of CWB Optimum Mortgage, who won the Lender Underwriter of the Year – Alternative Lending award, said he had doubled down on providing as strong a level of service as possible during the previous 12 months.
“It’s just focusing on customer service and knowing that we’re in the service and every time we get to talk to somebody it’s an opportunity to help get somebody into a home,” he said of the fundamentals to his approach.
“You’re not dealing with a number – you’re dealing with somebody on the other end. They’re probably stressed out and worried, so it’s just trying to help people and knowing that we’re here to serve people. That’s what I like to do.”
Alta West Capital’s Rupinder Saini (pictured below), who won Lender Underwriter of the Year – Private Lending, dedicated the victory to his colleagues and workmates. “They pushed me to where I am right now. It’s an amazing feeling,” he said.
Productive interactions within the industry have been front and centre in Saini’s approach this year. “I make sure I’m there and have up-front and honest relationships with brokers,” he said.
The Home Trust Award for Woman of Distinction, meanwhile, went to Sofia Hondrogiannis (pictured below) of TD Bank, who paid tribute to all who have helped her along an eventful stint in the industry.
“I have a great team at TD Bank. They’re absolutely phenomenal,” she said. “When I think about the broker community, they’ve been there to support me and really have helped me on the journey as I look to build business.
“I can say nothing but great things about this industry. I’m so honoured. I know many of the women that are in the category, and we work together – they’re a force to be reckoned with. It is absolutely an honour to be recognized with them in this category.”
Stay tuned for the rest of our coverage from this year’s spectacular Canadian Mortgage Awards – and make sure to get all the latest news to your inbox on Canada’s mortgage and housing markets by signing up for our free daily newsletter here.
