🎙️ STANDOUT Podcast — “Redefining Leadership and Culture in the Mortgage Industry”

In this powerful live conversation from the Notorious event in Austin, host Paige Taylor Hernandez sits down with Teresa Reber, Chief Operating Officer of The Loan Store, to unpack what it really means to lead with authenticity, collaboration, and courage in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Teresa, a 22-year mortgage veteran, shares her journey from loan officer to executive leadership, offering a transparent look at how she and CEO Phil have reshaped The Loan Store’s culture to prioritize people over profit. Rather than focusing rewards at the top, their leadership philosophy distributes success across the company — empowering every team member to feel part of the collective mission.

The conversation dives into how The Loan Store is “re-engineering” the mortgage model through empathy, inclusion, and forward-thinking strategy. Teresa emphasizes that sustainable success in lending requires human connection — not just automation. While AI and technology continue to transform underwriting, she argues that wisdom, intuition, and mentorship remain irreplaceable.

Paige and Teresa explore what true support among women in business looks like — beyond the hashtags and well-wishes. Teresa opens up about learning to silence imposter syndrome, embrace her individuality, and champion other women without falling into competition or comparison. She reminds listeners that the real measure of leadership is in how you create space for the next woman behind you — not just how far you climb yourself.

From sharing her early experiences being the only woman in the boardroom, to lessons learned from mentors who pushed her to think independently, Teresa offers grounded advice for women rising in their careers:

💡 Ask smart questions in every room you enter.

💡 Don’t dim your light to fit in — wear the shoes, the jewelry, the confidence. 💡 Build habits of daily self-learning and lead by example.

💡 Define what success looks like for you — and reverse-engineer the roadmap to get there.

The episode closes on a personal note as Teresa discusses balance, purpose, and the importance of joy outside of work — from 6 a.m. pickleball to simply “watching paint dry.” She reminds us that rest, hobbies, and laughter are not luxuries, but essential fuel for leadership and creativity.

Recorded live amid the energy of hundreds of powerhouse women, this STANDOUT episode embodies the event’s pillars — Create, Collaborate, Connect, and Celebrate — and captures the very heartbeat of Notorious: women showing up fully, leading boldly, and rewriting the rules of success together.

Guest: Teresa Reber, COO of The Loan Store

Host: Paige Taylor Hernandez

Event: The 2nd Annual Notorious Women in Mortgage — Austin, 2025