Women in Mortgage Summit brought together hundreds of industry professionals in Toronto
The hundreds of women in attendance for the third annual Women in Mortgage Summit last week was proof of the big strides being made in changing the perception of the mortgage industry as a traditionally male-dominated arena.
But there are still glaring gaps in how women are represented throughout the industry – and the hard work in addressing those issues is just getting started, according to leading mortgage figures who participated in the June 5 event.
The growing prominence of women in the industry can sometimes lead to claims that women have “arrived” and don’t need specialized events or recognition anymore – a characterization that Jen Watts (pictured top), national sales manager, distribution, mortgages at Community Trust, disagrees with.
“While female representation in the industry has most certainly increased, there remains disparity when it comes to percentages of female owners, women in executive and leadership roles, and even women on industry boards,” she told Canadian Mortgage Professional.
What’s more, women-owned businesses in Canada tend to earn less than their male counterparts, Watts added, partly because they find it more difficult to access financing and face other (often subtle) biases.
“While I think it’s great to celebrate how far we’ve come and recognize those before us who’ve paved the path, just because we’ve reached a higher camp on Everest doesn’t mean you stop climbing for the summit,” she said.
‘There’s more than enough business for everyone’
For Nicolee Evans, a mortgage agent with BRX Mortgage, that means helping equip the mortgage industry faces of the future with the tools they need to rise through the ranks.
Mortgage professionals are burning out chasing misaligned goals. Ruvani Henriques, VP at Glasslake Funding and Women in Mortgage Canada speaker, advocates "branding as a compass"—defining your vision, mission, and values to avoid low-impact results. https://t.co/0mjvjaV8RR
— Canadian Mortgage Professional Magazine (@CMPmagazine) June 6, 2025
“I think the connection piece is really important,” she told CMP. “It can be a bit of a knowledge industry. For young women starting, find other people who are doing well. Take some time to get onto that Facebook group for women. Talk to people in your brokerage.
“Any woman I’ve ever reached out to in the mortgage industry has been willing to give me time, which is so appreciated. And know that you can ask for time: people are busy, but you can definitely get time from anyone.”
Also essential is not taking an adversarial approach, she said: striving together for a common goal and avoiding a zero-sum-game mentality.
“At the end of the day, there’s more than enough business for everyone. Let’s not have a scarcity mindset here,” Evans said. “We all succeed together. And as an industry, to heighten our reputation as a brokerage community, we definitely have enough space for everyone.”
‘Don’t be afraid to invest financially and emotionally in your business’
Watts, meanwhile, said women should be in no doubt about what they can achieve within the industry and throughout their careers, no matter how differently they might define success.
That’s true even in a challenging market symbolized by still-high borrowing costs, cooling property sales and sliding home values – not to mention continuing economic uncertainty and housing volatility.
“Be bold, be loud and don’t self-limit,” she said. “And don’t be afraid to invest financially and emotionally in your business because there’s no reason you can’t grow that mortgage book. I’m not saying the ultimate goal is volume, as success is very subject and looks different for everyone.
“But I perceive that there can be conflict with women in the industry not always reaching the goals they set out for because of conflicting priorities, barriers to entry and the unseen work we carry. So go big if you want do – don’t let anyone or anything quiet that desire and drive.”
Evans said the presence of trailblazing women within the mortgage industry offers an encouraging sign for its future, and that their approachability and willingness to offer advice was a positive lesson for all.
“When I started in the industry, there were already so many powerhouse women that were leading the way. And those were the women we saw on stages at these kinds of events – and it’s wonderful as my career progresses that they’ve become mentors and friends,” she said.
“I think opportunities are opening up for women at all times. Women are asking for those opportunities and developing their careers, and it’s really good to see. The more women we can have in leadership, whether it’s at our brokerages, lenders or industry partners, it’s just better.”
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