00:00We are in the middle of the energy and the excitement at the Mortgage Bankers Association
00:11Secondary Conference here in New York City. This is an important installment of I feel like some
00:16of the conversations we have throughout the year. I'm Brenna Nath at Housing Ware. I'm excited to
00:20be sitting here with Tamara King. She's the Vice President of Strategic Industry Engagement, which
00:25is I'm sure so important at conferences like this one. So first off, welcome. Thank you. I'm so happy
00:31to be here. So tell me a little bit about the energy. What are you feeling so far? Oh my gosh,
00:37we're only on day one, but we started yesterday really, and I've had some great meetings with
00:42members, members who only see each other on Zoom or seeing each other in person, sometimes for the
00:47first time. And it's so different when you're meeting somebody in person than virtually. So
00:53it's a great energy here. That type of connection is exactly what we also strive to get at the
00:59gathering, like something that you can't get in a square. I do love the Brady Bunch squares. On
01:03occasion, there's a time that allows us to be multiple places, but there's nothing like you're
01:07saying when you come together in person and talk about the things happening in the industry and the
01:12things that are happening on a deep level in our careers, which is the second part of that
01:15conversation we're trying to have at the gathering that Empower is doing on the road through lunches like
01:20this one at secondary, but also then bringing it to conferences like the gathering. You're one of
01:26our panelists on our upcoming session at the gathering, which is featuring a great lineup of
01:31women. I'm excited for you to be included on it. And I wanted to zero in on one topic idea that
01:38Laura Hopkins, who is the moderator of the panel is asking, which is what advice would you give to
01:44this next generation of female leaders? That's something unique that I think this panel is talking
01:48about not only where you guys have come in some lessons and stories we can take from that, but also
01:52how you guys are bringing this next generation forward. So what advice would you give to the next
01:56generation? I've received a lot of great advice. One of the things that I've been told that I really
02:02think holds true is find something that you love. Yes, everybody wants a higher title, you want more
02:09money, all of that is true. But if you find and you're doing something that you love, it shows up in your
02:16work. I really encourage people to find whatever that is. And it may be something different. Like,
02:22you know, in your 20s, you may want to do something different than you do in your 30s or your 40s.
02:27But to keep that excitement and that passion will always fuel you to do your best in your job.
02:33That's such a great call out because I was listening to an audio book on the way here. And
02:37they're just talking about like, it is so important that yes, your work is your work and you have a life.
02:41But when you're there for 40 hours a week, the importance of having passion, the importance of liking
02:45the people you work with, the importance of enjoying that. If you don't, that's a big chunk of your day
02:50that you don't have. It is. And so it is so important to like what you said, to have most of your day
02:57spent on what you love. And that could be helping people, helping the industry, whatever it is, find those
03:03things that bring you joy, because that will fuel you. During those tough times, that will actually
03:09get you through it. And that's one part of your lived experience, which I think is so great for
03:13that session, because each one of the panelists are going to come in and share, this is how I've
03:17found love and passion my job. And then take away, you know, tidbits for someone sitting in the
03:22audience like me who still grow, you know, in the middle of her career trying to figure out, okay,
03:25how do I take this next step? So that's the example of how conversations can be so powerful,
03:31so valuable. From your experience, what are the other takeaways that you'd want people to have
03:35from this session and why we should keep bringing these leaders together to, you know, have the
03:40discussions? Sure. I have been to many Empower sessions, the lunches, the conferences, they've
03:46all been great. They've all been different. And each time, I find an aha moment. I take something away
03:53each time. It's different. Sometimes it's in my professional life to help there. Oftentimes,
03:59it's also in my personal life. So I find that these moments of being around other women who have
04:06similar experiences or sometimes different experiences, but I can apply what they've
04:12learned or what they did and use it in my life. I always come out with something. So I'm inspired
04:19every time I'm in one of these rooms. That aha moment. I love that takeaway. And that's what I hope
04:24everyone gets from the gathering is finding that aha moment through your session and other
04:29discussions, maybe not the roundtables as they're talking to their peers who are sitting among them.
04:32So thanks so much, Tamara. I've enjoyed this conversation and can't wait to see you again
04:36in a few weeks. Thank you. Looking forward to it.
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