Tawn Kelley, executive vice president of Taylor Morrison and president of the company’s financial services arm, delivered the 2024 National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) keynote address. She focused on the importance of adaptability, resilience and the power of personal and professional growth in the face of industry challenges.
Reflecting humorously on her time training as a ballet dancer, Kelly noted how the discipline she learned at that time helped along her journey to becoming a leader in the real estate finance sector. She emphasized how her ability to “shift” while navigating life’s unexpected twists has been essential to her career.
“Successful companies adapt because they grow forward,” Kelley said. “They step up, not out, when things get tough. And yet, we’re able to look beyond to find ways to overcome setbacks, and we find the pivot that continues our success. I know myself. I thrive best when I’m a little bit off kilter, and that sense of imbalance is what fuels my motivation to move beyond today, to make sure that I’m ready for tomorrow, and I call that ‘shift.’”
Adaptability is crucial to finding enduring success in any market condition, she said, which is especially evident in the current housing industry landscape, with its fluctuating interest rates and market volatility.
The next concept Kelley described was what she called her “spire,” which represents the tenants that guide her forward.
“Remember your why. Visualize this spire in front of you. Be the spire that stands tall,” she said. “Inspire and guide. Be present. Enjoy the ride. And most importantly, listen to learn. And as leaders, as you grow others, you too will rise and reach your spire.”
Kelley then shifted focus and acknowledged the industry’s complexity, describing it as a “vast wonderland” with numerous paths and intersections. She stressed the importance for real estate professionals to never lose sight of the critical role they play in managing what are often the most significant financial transactions in their clients’ lives.
“I went from administration to closings to sales and then I found myself in mortgage,” she said. “And I found that I absolutely loved helping families. It was the most important, most gratifying thing to make a difference in a family’s life, where their children slept, where friendships were made, and financial security grew.”
Having seen the various nuances in serving the new construction segment versus the resale and refinance segments, Kelley described her enormous respect for loan officers who oversee the lending process amid a multitude of external factors that make planning and managing the continuous workload especially challenging.
She detailed her transition from working with large lenders to founding her own company, Mortgage Funding Direct Ventures. In pursuing her company’s mission of providing high-quality, compliant, and customer-centric mortgage services tailored to builders’ unique needs, Kelly said she gained a new appreciation for the value of partnerships in business.
Kelley closed her address with a call to action, encouraging her peers to embrace resilience and courage as they navigate their professional journeys. She urged them to “shift well,” to look beyond immediate challenges, and to continue pushing forward with determination and vision.