Felicia- Marie Spiller
Dixon
Summary
Dynamic real estate and mortgage operations leader with extensive expertise in underwriting, portfolio management, and business development. Currently advancing leadership and strategic acumen through a Master of Science in Management at Pepperdine University, complemented by a Bachelor’s in Finance that supports a robust analytical approach to complex deal structuring and risk assessment. Demonstrated success in leading teams, optimizing operational workflows, and driving measurable growth within the fintech, banking and real estate sectors.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Realtor /Business Owner
I80 Realtor LLC
10.2022 - Current
- Lead and manage the i80 Realtor brand, setting strategic vision, expanding market presence, and overseeing all operational functions to drive sustained business growth, resulting in 11 closed transactions YTD and $6M in sales volume.
- Accelerated sales performance, with listings closing in an average of 6 days on the market, significantly outperforming regional benchmarks.
- Develop and execute comprehensive marketing campaigns, leveraging digital media, targeted advertising, and networking strategies to attract new clients and strengthen brand visibility.
- Direct lead generation initiatives, optimizing CRM, social media, and advertising channels to expand clientele and increase market reach.
- Ensure compliance and accuracy in the preparation and submission of sales contracts, minimizing errors and maximizing efficiency.
- Oversee property inspections and appraisals, aligning processes with client expectations and business objectives.
Senior Non-QM Mortgage Underwriter
Arc Home Loans
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Performed comprehensive credit, appraisal and financial analysis of borrower’s cash flow and Ability to Repay 1st mortgage.
- Exercised discretion and utilize exceptional analytical abilities to detect discrepancies in documentation and/or information to protect Company from fraudulent practices.
- Assisted in identifying, analyzing, and negotiating alternative loan structures (DSCR, Bank Stmt, Asset utilization, RSU, Business Tax Returns, P & L); and conducted a thorough Collateral review for property value, Health and Safety violations and recertification.
- Prepared Underwriting Summary for Management and Sales teams explaining in depth reasoning for loan decision, thought process and overall Risk/credit analysis.
- Identified and reviewed discrepancies on title reports in Legal Descriptions, Plats/Surveys and Schedules associated with real estate transactions.
- Collaborated with loan officers to clarify documentation requirements and streamline approval processes.
Mortgage Underwriting Supervisor
LoanDepot
11.2020 - 07.2021
- Led a team of 13 remote underwriters, optimizing underwriting efficiency and reducing turn times.
- Conducted pipeline and market trend analyses, leading to a 40% reduction in underwriting scorecard discrepancies.
- Ensured a consistent approach in risk evaluation by developing and maintaining underwriting guidelines, procedures, and best practices.
- Designed and implemented a “Did You Know?” trend program, training underwriters on evolving mortgage guidelines.
- Discussed Exceptions and Quality audits with Credit Risk and other Senior Management
- Proactively developed and implemented resolution strategies for brokers and Underwriting team.
- Led team to ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines and risk assessment protocols.
- Mentored junior underwriters on best practices and industry standards for loan evaluations.
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Reali Loans
01.2020 - 11.2020
- Performed analysis of complex financial statements for applicant’s income (Self-employed, Partnerships and Corp), asset documentation and credit analysis to determine Ability to Repay.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined underwriting workflows and reduced turnaround times.
- Developed training materials for new underwriters, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- Responsible for Reali Loans obtaining delegation with multiple lenders by analyzing layers of Risk on loans.
- Supported VP of Underwriting with management duties such as Interviewing, Counseling, Training, preparing training material for new UW.
- Resolved issues related to title/vesting matters in connection with the home buying process.
- Monitored investor (TCB, PennyMac, JMAC, Flagstar, Homepoint etc) and agency publications for changes in guidelines. Responsible for distributing information to the Underwriting team and Sales.
- Provided input to improve our policies, procedures, and documentation with data-driven analysis and improvements.
- Evaluated loan applications to ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines and regulations.
- Mitigated risks associated with loan approvals, conducting thorough due diligence on borrower profiles and property valuations.
Underwriting Supervisor (Onboarding /Payments)
Yapstone
08.2018 - 09.2019
- Managed the daily underwriting operations of a team of 13 highly skilled international/local team members through analysis and review of specific KPI’s, performance reviews and SLA’s.
- Conducted risk and fraud analysis according to regulatory requirements by monitoring online payment transactions, Rent Pay, credit line increases, and commercial merchant processes (KYC/AML/OFAC).
- Partnered with the marketing department to develop creative marketing initiatives to improve brand awareness, discuss success stories and go over best practices.
- Partnered with engineering teams to create SOPs for fraud detection and credit exception workflows.
- Handled Customer escalations from Business Clients via Chat, Phone and BBB website.
- Supervised underwriting team, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and company policies.
- Developed training programs for new underwriters, enhancing onboarding experience and knowledge retention.
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
BMO
02.2016 - 03.2018
- Successfully improved business processes to decrease loan turn time by 25 days within a 3-month span, through effective training & development of 4 underwriting professionals.
- Partnered closely with leadership and training managers to update company underwriting guidelines, templates, and policies; training materials; and develop effective underwriting and customer support practices.
- Increased efficiency by 50% and saved time per file by effectively managing department workflow and productivity and following all bank and Fannie Mae (FNMA) lending guidelines for Purchase, Conforming, Jumbo and Non-QM products.
- Developed effective business relationships with clients, loan officers, and underwriters through excellent customer service; and maintained constant communication with Mortgage Bankers regarding loan status and opportunities.
- Conducted a thorough financial analysis of complex borrowers with multiple Partnerships, Corporations, Asset Utilization, RSU’s, Rental properties etc.; and analyzed market trends, property appraisals, and comparable and assessable collateral Risk.
- Mentored junior underwriters, enhancing their understanding of risk assessment and decision-making processes.
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Finance
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH12-2016
Master of Science - Business Management
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA05-2027
Skills
- AML/BSA/FINCEN/KYC/OFAC/SAR
- Appraisals Auditing & Quality Control
- Banking Regulations/Compliance/Fair Lending/CDD
- Business Development Client Management
- Comparative Market Analysis Credit Administration
- Financial Analysis IP Management Lending
- Marketing Mortgage Underwriting Negotiation
- Portfolio Lending Post-Closing
- Property Management Real Estate Sales
- Relationship & Vendor Management
- Risk Assessment/Management
- Strategic Planning Strong Organizational Skills
- Supervisory Management Tech-Savvy Mindset
- Training & Development Underwriting - Manual
- Verbal & Written Communication
- Workflow Optimization
Other Essential Professional Experience:
Housing Manager • 2023-2024
Housing Specialist • 2023-2023
PACE Underwrite • 2018
Fraud Investigator /Sr Mortgage Underwriter • 2010-2012 and 2013-2014
Additional Tech Skills
BAREIS (MLS) | Bridger |Calyx Point
Clear Capital | Corelogic |Data Verify
DU (Desktop Underwriter)
Empower (Black Knight)
Encompass |Followup Boss
Giant |JIRA |Kount| Lender QB
Lexis Nexis |Loanbeam | Looker
LP (Loan Prospector) |Mavent
Microsoft Office |Pacer |R Studio
Salesforce |SQL |Tableau
Thomas Reuters | ZenDesk
Timeline
Realtor /Business Owner
I80 Realtor LLC
10.2022 - Current
Senior Non-QM Mortgage Underwriter
Arc Home Loans
01.2022 - 06.2022
Mortgage Underwriting Supervisor
LoanDepot
11.2020 - 07.2021
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Reali Loans
01.2020 - 11.2020
Underwriting Supervisor (Onboarding /Payments)
Yapstone
08.2018 - 09.2019
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
BMO
02.2016 - 03.2018
Bachelor of Science Degree - Finance
Southern New Hampshire University
Master of Science - Business Management
Pepperdine University