Twyla Hankins knows what it takes to be an elite woman in this industry. “I believe in providing all the right education, tools, and training to set the company and its people up for success,” Hankins explained. “This is a crucial tenet for anyone who wants to succeed.”

As an expert in operations, including loan processing, underwriting, document preparation, funding, shipping, post-closing and insuring, Hankins has provided excellence in operations leadership for American mortgage lenders for more than 40 years. In 2010, she joined the executive team at American Financial Network (AFN). In almost every month of 2020, AFN funded more than $1bn in loans.

“In my role, my clients are our branch managers and their sales teams,” she said. “I attribute open communication and proactive outreach to my success. I don’t only want to hear from them when they have an issue that needs to be resolved, I also like to know what they like and what is working well for them.”

Hankins has been instrumental in directing the customization of AFN’s LOS, building a compliance team, a post-closing team, underwriting teams, and operations centers in the corporate office and offices across the country. She has received accolades such as NAWRB Finance Leader, Housing Wire Woman of Influence, and one of National Mortgage Professional Magazine’s Most Powerful Women in Mortgage Banking.