Fannie Mae has appointed Sharifa Anderson as its first diversity and inclusion officer, as well as naming her senior vice president. Fannie Mae stated this role signified its sustained commitment to promoting supplier diversity, enabling opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms in capital markets, and fostering an accessible, inclusive workplace that attracts, develops, and retains diverse talent.
“Creating this role is a meaningful milestone on our diversity and inclusion journey, and Sharifa’s impressive background and expertise in fair lending, affordable housing, and public policy make her well-suited to lead Fannie Mae’s D&I programs and Office of Minority and Woman Inclusion,” Fannie Mae CEO Hugh R. Frater said. “Sharifa will play an important role in helping us achieve our strategic priorities as we work with industry partners to foster greater representation of people of color and women throughout the housing industry.”
Most recently, Anderson served as the chief diversity and inclusion officer at Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh.
“I was proud to work at Fannie Mae early in my career journey, and I am honored and energized to be returning to the company during this pivotal time in the housing industry,” Anderson said. “I look forward to working alongside Fannie Mae’s leadership team to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce, and a housing industry that shares Fannie Mae’s mission to facilitate equitable and sustainable access to homeownership and rental housing across the country.”
Prior to Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, Anderson worked as an attorney at Relman Colfax in fair lending counseling and compliance; at Ballard Spahr in public finance and housing; and in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the office of general counsel, financial division. She holds a juris doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, a master of arts in public policy from Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a bachelor of arts in economics and law and society from Hood College. Anderson is also active in the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, where she has served on the board of directors and the association’s diversity, equity, and inclusion advisory group.