American Association of Private Lenders will offer its Certified Fund Manager designation class at the Geraci Activate Conference American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL) is offering the Certified Fund Manager (CFM) designation class May 9, 2018, at the Geraci Activate Conference, located at the Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. AAPL members are eligible for [...]
Katia Potapov is director of operations at Walnut Street Finance, LLC. She has over 16 years of operational and project management experience in various industries, including real estate and construction, media and entertainment, industry associations and government agencies. Potapov directs and oversees Walnut Street Finance’s investor relations function and serves as the primary point of [...]
Kimberly Smith is CCHP and broker of AvenueWest Global Franchise LLC, launched in 2009. In 2006, she launched CorporateHousingbyOwner.com (CHBO), the first-of-its-kind online portal connecting furnished rentals and the traveling public. In 1999, Smith became the managing broker of AvenueWest Corporate Housing Inc., a company that provides real estate property management of furnished residential properties, offering corporate housing [...]
Linda Hyde is the executive director of American Association of Private Lenders. She executes AAPL’s overall business strategy, assuring its financial health and managing day to day operations. Hyde secures the necessary resources to implement the annual strategic plan and helps to promote membership and build strategic alliances. She shares her insights on being a [...]
Svenja Gudell is chief economist at Zillow.com. She has served in that position at Zillow since August 2015 after serving on the company’s economic research team for more than four years. Gudell holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Rochester’s Simon Graduate School of Business and previously worked with the Federal Reserve Bank [...]
Chrissey Breault is the director of marketing and member services at American Association of Private Lenders and the creator/editor-in-chief of Private Lender magazine. Before joining AAPL, Chrissey worked in county government as a communications expert. Her 15-plus years in communications and marketing started in the hospitality industry with Hilton and Marriot brands. She was the [...]
Susan Naftulin is the co-founder and president of Rehab Financial Group, LP. She has an impressive background that ranges through several senior management positions in the mortgage industry, including general counsel, managing attorney, chief operating officer and senior vice president for both privately and publicly held mortgage lenders. In each of these positions, she was responsible [...]
Noelle Wheeler is president and broker of Nationwide Mortgage, a company she founded in 1997. As the president, she currently employs over 30 loan officers, 10 processors and is licensed in California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Virginia. Since its inception, over $3 billion in mortgage loans have been given. After years of running her company, [...]
Tammie Tirres, a senior advisor advocate of capital markets at Noble Capital, is responsible for building relationships with current and prospective financial advisors, sourcing new opportunities to grow relationships with existing and potential investors and coordinating Noble Capital's Private Lender Network. She is also the producer of the Real Wealth Blueprint talk radio show on 1370 [...]
Elizabeth Morales is the marketing and communications director at Applied Business Software, Inc. (The Mortgage Office). Morales has a proven record in senior operational roles and is known as an inspirational, forward-thinking approach leader and a data-driven marketer. She has created full-scale marketing platforms, handles media, public relations and brand management for ABS; she is [...]
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VIP RECEPTION // Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while catching up with VIPs from across the country, all overlooking the gorgeous Las Vegas Strip. AAPL Members may RSVP during conference registration at no additional cost; for non-members it is $199/ticket.
NETWORKING BREAKFASTS & SESSION BREAKS // Early-risers will appreciate plentiful coffee and a selection of pastries, protein, and more – along with the opportunity to talk shop in a quieter atmosphere. Session breaks feature an energetic environment with a variety of snacking options.
AFTER-HOURS RECEPTION // Continue conversations with fellow attendees, sponsors, and speakers in the Exhibit Hall while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres and two drink tokens.
OFFICIAL AFTER-PARTY // For those who hate to say goodnight, each year a few sponsors plan a little something extra to wrap up your day … or help segue from all-business to all-fun. We’ll mark the party as official and provide information about how to attend.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE APP // The app is your insiders’ guide to getting the most out of #AAPLANNUAL and includes your personalized schedule, conference navigation system, and more!
Nominations are open until August 30, 2025, with voting from September 9-30, 2025. We’ll announce recipients at our Annual Conference.
Member of the Year (MOTY): This award goes to a member based on their deep expertise, unique value, and strong commitment to clients and the industry.
Rising Star: Rising Stars are members who have accomplished outstanding growth in their company or industry sector over the past year.
Community Impact: Recipients improve their local communities or our industry through volunteering, development programs, or civic efforts.
See past award winners, award rules, and participate in the 2025 nomination and voting process here.
Grand Prize – Custom Championship Belt & VIP Admission to Power Room event in St. Augustine, FL (February 27th – March 1st, 2023)
2nd Place – 2023 AAPL Annual Conference Bundle to include Individual Membership, 1 Conference Ticket and 1 VIP Reception pass.
3rd Place – 1 year AAPL Individual Membership