Media Resources
Please contact Nicole Roberts, Senior PR Strategist, with any media queries
Email: nroberts1@uwm.com
Phone: 248.833.4287
Announcements
Press Release
UWM Announces BrokerX: Empowering Brokers to Grow Their Teams With UWM-Supported MLO Licensing Program
September 14, 2024
Press Release
Introducing KEEP by UWM: AI-Generated Refinance Offers to Help Brokers Retain Past Clients
September 11, 2024
Recent Updates
UWM prides itself in offering industry-leading products, tools and technology to independent mortgage brokers accross the nation. See the most recent launches from UWM below.
October, 2024
July, 2024
March, 2024
Meet The Team
Mat Ishbia
Chairman, President and CEO
Mat Ishbia is the President and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage. Under Mat’s leadership, UWM has soared to new heights, becoming one of the most innovative lenders in the industry. Mat is known as a prominent advocate for mortgage brokers nationwide and regularly promotes the wholesale channel on national platforms such as CNBC and Fox Business. Click here for full bio.
Melinda Wilner
Chief Operating Officer
Melinda Wilner is UWM’s Chief Operating Officer, a position she has held since 2015. In this role, she leads over 5,000 team members in underwriting and operations, where she sets a new standard for excellence by focusing on efficiency, accessibility and service. Melinda works in lockstep with IT and oversees the largest collective group of teams at UWM, where she constantly strives to streamline the lending process for mortgage brokers and borrowers nationwide. Click here for full bio.
Laura Lawson
EVP, Chief People Officer
As the Chief People Officer, Laura is the creative genius behind our award-winning workplace. Laura works tirelessly to develop an environment with our team members as the sole focus, and has an unwavering commitment to maintaining our prized workplace culture, and has been recognized in Crain’s Detroit ‘40 Under 40’.
Alex Elezaj
Chief Strategy Officer
Alex Elezaj is UWM’s Chief Strategy Officer, a role in which he is laser focused on growing the mortgage broker channel as a whole. He is a 2017 HousingWire Vanguard award winner, a member of the YPO (Young Presidents Organization) and has been recognized as one of National Mortgage Professional magazine’s “40 Under 40.” Alex received a bachelor’s degree from Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration, and an MBA from Michigan State University. Click here for full bio.
Desmond P. Smith
EVP, Chief Growth Officer
Desmond P. Smith is UWM’s Chief Growth Officer. In this position, he focuses on innovative ways to advance the independent mortgage broker channel. Desmond brings three decades of knowledge and experience to the table from his time spent at FHA, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Capital One Home Loans and Fannie Mae, and has been recognized for creating high-performance cultures, empowering teams and transforming businesses.
Sarah Deciantis
Chief Marketing Officer
Sarah DeCiantis has been UWM’s Chief Marketing Officer since 2017. In this position, she leads all marketing, advertising, and external and internal communications efforts. She joined UWM in 2014 as Vice President, Marketing; prior to that, she was the Director of Partnership Marketing for Palace Sports and Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons. Most recently, Sarah was awarded the Crain’s Detroit Business “40 under 40” award for 2020. Click here for full bio.
Lee Jelenic
Chief Innovation Officer
Lee Jelenic is UWM’s Chief Innovation Officer. In this role, he leads Client Experience, Digital Innovation, Government Affairs, and Investor Relations. He is responsible for ensuring that UWM’s products and service remain best in class. Prior to joining the company in 2019, Lee spent 11 years at Ford Motor Company, most recently as Chief Executive Officer of Ford Commercial Solutions, a global business unit within Ford Smart Mobility that delivered vehicle data, analytics and fleet management services to commercial customers. Click here for full bio.
Jason Bressler
Chief Technology Officer
Jason is an industry veteran who excels in application development and enterprise implementation. Jason leads a team of nearly 1200 I.T. members focused on delivering stellar client service through cutting-edge proprietary tools.
Katie Foster
Chief Risk Officer
Katie oversees all facets of Risk for UWM, including Quality Control, Legal, Compliance, Credit Policy, and more. A former mortgage broker, she understands what is needed to make life easier for our clients. Named an Elite Women in Mortgage by Mortgage Professional America Magazine, Katie takes a common sense approach, frequently suggesting changes to make guidelines as broker-friendly and easy to understand as possible, while still maintaining the highest quality loans.
Blake Kolo
Chief Business Officer & Head Of Investor Relations
Blake Kolo is the Chief Business Officer and Head of Investor Relations for UWM in which he brings an unparalleled combination of accounting, finance and sales to the executive team. His primary focus is the management of UWM’s mortgage funding operation. His team drives maximum efficiency in the utilization of warehouse lines of credit in order to wire and fund mortgages. He also leads many special initiatives aimed at accelerating business development. Click here for full bio.
Andrew Hubacker
Chief Financial Officer
Andrew Hubacker is UWM’s Chief Financial Officer, overseeing all financial aspects of the company including accounting, internal and external reporting, financial compliance, tax, treasury and liquidity management, and budgeting and forecasting. He joined UWM in October 2020 and brings nearly three decades of experience. Prior to joining UWM, Hubacker spent 18 years at Deloitte & Touche, LLP, including over 12 years as an audit partner. Click here for full bio.
News & Trends
About Brokers
Mortgage brokers are licensed residential mortgage professionals with access to hundreds of loan options for consumers looking to buy or refinance a home. They support borrowers by leveraging relationships and securing the most favorable loan options available. Brokers can help homeowners save thousands of dollars on what is likely the most important financial undertaking of their lives.
Awards
For any media queries, please reach out to Nicole Roberts, Senior PR Strategist for UWM at nroberts1@uwm.com or 248.833.4287.