Loan Management Professionals to Know 2025

Damon Paull, AWMA® - Financial Advisor, Best-Selling Author, Military Veteran As a wealth management advisor and Amazon best-selling author in Money and Business, Damon Paull brings a military precision to financial journalism. His recent collaboration with former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss on "Empathetic Leadership" shows he can take complex financial concepts and turn them into stories that resonate with everyone. With over 8 years of industry experience and a background as a Marine Corps veteran and State Department contractor, Damon writes about: • Intergenerational wealth transfer • Corporate benefit plan optimization • Investment portfolio construction • Business succession planning • Veteran financial empowerment • Global market analysis through a geopolitical lens As a Wealth Management Advisor at Cetera Investors, Damon’s expertise goes beyond traditional financial planning. He uses cutting-edge financial technology and analysis tools to bring you fresh perspectives on emerging trends and investment opportunities. His writing style is data-driven with a storyline, making complex financial concepts accessible to sophisticated investors and general audiences. Regular contributor to discussions on wealth preservation, market dynamics and financial technology. Damon welcomes opportunities to provide professional commentary and in-depth analysis for financial publications looking for expert opinions on wealth management and investment strategies. For editorial inquiries or commentary: Damon Paull, AWMA Damon.Paull@ceterainvestors.com 832.535.2286 Glen Allen, VA Available for national and international commentary Cetera Investors. Damon Paull, Wealth Management Advisor. Securities and Insurance Products offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. 140 EASTSHORE DR. SUITE 105, GLEN ALLEN, VA 23059. 804-346-4670. The opinions expressed are those of the writer, not recommendations of Cetera Investment Services LLC or its representatives.

Sales and tech strategist driven to the front lines of the fintech evolution within the mortgage lending industry. Ambitiously working to create new opportunities, simplify processes, and pioneer modern solutions. Over 15 years of experience in the financial industry as an executive, strategist, consultant, trainer and team developer. •Founder of Liberty Financing LLC Previously: •Chief Strategy Officer at American Financing Corporation •Investment Advisor at Charles Schwab Knowledge and in depth experience ranges across technology innovation and integration (API, AI, Web design, SEO, SaaS), marketing, mortgage lending, business development, sales training, project management, data analysis and financial analysis. I’m passionate about providing the absolute best experience for our customers and the most rewarding career opportunities for our hard working high quality team members Current NMLS MLO State Licenses. Previously held FINRA Series 7 & Series 66 Licenses, Life and Health Insurance License, and Accredited Asset Management Specialist designation from the College of Financial Planning.

A highly motivated and detail-oriented professional with a strong foundation in marketing and management, holding a double major in both disciplines. Experienced in human resources across non-profit and for-profit sectors, as well as in marketing, bringing a versatile skill set to any organization. Known for exceptional organizational skills, a keen eye for detail, and a dedication to continuous growth and learning. Passionate about driving efficiency, fostering positive workplace culture, and contributing to strategic business success through hard work and adaptability.

Experienced Executive Assistant supporting leadership at Edison Risk, a life and annuity-focused IMO, and The Policy Shop, a health insurance brokerage. Skilled in managing executive calendars, communications, licensing, and agent support across fast-paced, client-focused environments. Known for staying organized, ensuring smooth operations, and handling sensitive information with professionalism and care.

I started out in finance in 2008. It has been a blast. I have built a business and, in the process, have won my time back. I now have time to write. So here I am, demystifying banks and lending, and empowering people with the best tool of all—knowledge.

I’m a results-driven Project Management Director with a strong background in legal funding operations, strategy execution, and cross-functional team leadership. At High Rise Financial, I lead initiatives that streamline processes, enhance service delivery, and support client advocacy through innovative solutions. My mission is to deliver scalable systems that align with growth while maintaining a human-first approach to leadership.

I am a seasoned mental health and addiction specialist, dedicated to the field of treatment and recovery since 2015. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from South University in Royal Palm Beach, FL, and I am credentialed as both a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS). Over the years, I've gained hands-on experience in various areas, including psychiatric acute stabilization, psychiatric partial hospitalization, and both in-patient and out-patient substance use treatment. My journey has taken me through clinical counseling, program development, and organizational leadership. Before joining New Waters, I served as the Clinical Director at Gupta Psychiatry and Wellness in Raleigh, NC, where I helped shape a respected substance abuse partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient program. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of quality clinical programming and its impact on long-term sobriety. With a compassionate approach, I am committed to helping individuals and families overcome substance use disorders, guiding them toward a life free from addiction.

Paul Gillooly is a financial specialist and the Director of Dot Dot Loans, with over ten years of experience in subprime lending. With extensive knowledge of consumer finance in the UK, Paul is a reliable individual in the bad credit lending sector. At DotDotLoans.co.uk, he helps individuals with poor credit scores find appropriate lenders who can provide financial help. Paul also offers guidance on improving financial management and building better credit scores.

With over two decades of experience as an International Protective and Intelligence Specialist, Denida Grow has cultivated a wealth of expertise across various countries and cultures. In 2002, she founded Athena Worldwide & Athena Academy in Greece, a pioneering training and placement company exclusively dedicated to female security professionals. Her vision was to establish a nurturing and empowering environment where women could receive comprehensive guidance in essential areas such as soft skills, protective intelligence, covert protective details, and conflict management. Inspired by the ancient Greek goddess Athena, Denida’s focus was to teach her students to “protect through wisdom and intelligence.” Expanding her portfolio in 2008, she introduced Nannyguards, a groundbreaking hybrid service merging childcare with protective services. Throughout her career, Denida has assumed numerous leadership roles including Executive Protection Operative (both Covert and Overt), Security Consultant, Intelligence Analyst, Instructor, Investigator, and Project Manager. Her clientele has spanned the globe, with work experience in countries such as India, Greece, France, Italy, Albania, and the USA. Holding a BSc in Counseling and Psychology from Teesside University, Denida has received training in various Executive Protection methodologies from esteemed British, American, and Israeli organizations. Over the past decade, she has honed her focus on Protective Intelligence, Intelligence Analysis, and Open-Source Intelligence. Currently serving as the managing partner for LeMareschal LLC, an International Risk Management, Protective Intelligence, and Logistics company headquartered in Seattle, WA, Denida continues to drive innovation and excellence in the field. Fluent in Albanian, Greek, and English, she remains deeply committed to delivering bespoke security solutions and training programs to individuals and organizations worldwide.

Desiree Russo is a Partner and Senior Vice President of Portfolio Operations at MasonMade Ventures, where she drives operational excellence across the firm's portfolio of critical infrastructure companies. With nearly two decades of experience in construction and facilities management, Desiree brings extensive expertise in scaling processes, managing operations, and delivering best-in-class service to clients nationwide. Before co-founding MasonMade, Desiree served as Partner and Vice President of Operations at CS Hudson, where she was instrumental in streamlining workflows, exceeding client expectations, and developing internal talent. Earlier in her career, she advanced steadily through leadership roles at a facility management company—starting as a Client Team Manager and ultimately becoming Director of Client Services. She began her professional journey at Empire Facilities Management Group, rising from Coordinator to Supervisor to National Account Manager. Desiree attributes her career growth to a strong work ethic, a focus on operational efficiency, and a people-first leadership philosophy. As a female leader in a historically male-dominated industry, Desiree is known for breaking norms and modeling an inclusive, collaborative. Her leadership is characterized by humility, active listening, and a commitment to continuous improvement—for individuals, teams, and the businesses she helps to scale. She is a two-time recipient of the Circle of Excellence Award, recognizing her consistent impact in building high-performing teams and lasting client relationships.

Bob Schulte, CEO of Bryt Software, is a seasoned SaaS leader with over 30 years of experience in software innovation. Before founding Bryt Software in 2017, he built and led myStaffingPro, a pioneering applicant tracking system later acquired by Paychex. Passionate about customer-centric solutions, Bob focuses on making loan management intuitive and efficient for lenders. When he’s not refining lending software, he enjoys time with his grandkids, golfing, staying active, and playing the piano.