The AAPL annual conference has all been the most valuable benefit of my AAPL membership.  When my business first opened I was able to go to the conference and meet peer companies with whom I was able to ask questions, share information and get updates on changes in the industry.

As the managing member of a new company, the thing I needed most was a peer group who I could rely on to provide information, advice and updates.

In the early days of my company, Rehab Financial Group, LP, and AAPL women were under represented in both the attendees and on the panels.  It was so evident that there used to be a designated “women’s panel” to give the female members a chance to present and get known.  Now, there are so many women in both attendance and in speaking positions, that this special panel is no longer necessary.

Prior to getting involved in mortgage lending I was an attorney with a large Philadelphia law firm.  Firms of that size tend to handle complex legal matters that are complex and frequently go on for years.  For me, there was little satisfaction in the work because it seemed that things never got resolved.  Matters just dragged on and on and I rarely felt that anything was getting accomplished.  As a rehab lender, I get to see a distressed property before a loan is made and then within months, I get to see the project progress with a beautiful end product.  The feeling of accomplishment is tremendous.

I am  most proud of the team that we have built at RFG.  In my humble opinion RFG has the best team in the private lending space. Not only do we deliver premier products and customer service, but we genuinely like each other and enjoy working together.  In addition, it is no secret that the last few years have presented unique challenges to private lenders.  I am extremely proud that RFG has remained stable and sailed through these challenges, without negative impact to our business, clients or investors.

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.  This book is about a woman who succeeds despite tremendous obstacles.  What I appreciate is the way she makes her way in the world.  She is clever and succeeds through determination and being smart without ever portraying herself as a victim or engaging in self-pity.  The best part is that it is based on a real person.