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Leading the Charge: New Leadership at the American Mortgage Diversity Council

John GDiversity and inclusion are more than just vogue words—they’re real, complicated issues that don’t offer easy answers, ones that have far reaching implications, especially in a landscape such as the mortgage industry. Instead, these issues require the collaborative and forward-thinking efforts of many individuals and organizations to stay ahead of the curve, and the American Mortgage Diversity Council [1] (AMDC) is doing just that in its recently announced appointment of John Golden as Executive Director. Golden has been in the mortgage industry for 16 years, and has a 27-year operational background across multiple industries bringing effectual support and direction.

“We are pleased to welcome John’s leadership to the American Mortgage Diversity Council,” said Ed Delgado, President and CEO of the Five Star Institute and Ex-Officio for the AMDC. “His experience and enthusiasm for diversity and inclusion will be vital to AMDC’s outreach efforts and educational programs, along with its future success in continuing to shape our industry for the better.”

The AMDC, founded in 2015, supports a wide range of diversity initiatives and promotes dialogue aimed at addressing key issues affecting diversity in and across the mortgage industry. With the support of its broad representation, the AMDC is currently committed to identifying the varying issues and concerns that are unique to particular geographic areas, ethnicities, genders, and races while bridging that gap through targeted, online affiliated courses. The council is also striving to diversify the mortgage industry through a mentorship program that will be developed by working subcommittees.

Other leaders in the industry recognize that Golden and the AMDC have a lot on their plate, but have no doubt their ability to overcome whatever challenges they might come across.

“Two plus years of commitment and effort has allowed the AMDC to build critical mass,” said Michael Ruiz, Director of Supplier Diversity at Fannie Mae. The hiring of John Golden as Executive Director ensures that the organization will not lose momentum, but rather continue to grow in stature and influence as a key advocate for the evolution of diversity and inclusion throughout the mortgage industry.”

Golden is looking forward to leading AMDC’s charge into this uncharted territory.

“The opportunity to support efforts in diversity and inclusion, foster a platform for the continuation of the conversation, be involved in the facilitation of meaningful education, and to take part in the advancement of an action agenda with accountability for affecting change in the industry is considered a tremendously worthy opportunity and is aligned with my own personal desire to do work that makes a positive impact for others,” Golden said.

Prior to joining AMDC, he served as VP of Quality and Compliance for a national real estate valuation management company, where his colleagues continue to speak highly of him.

"I had the opportunity to have John on my executive team at for almost five years,” said Erik Richard, Founder and CEO of Landmark Network, Inc. “Having worked closely with him for all that time gives me the upmost confidence that he will succeed in his new role with AMDC. "

The AMDC’s next meeting will be September 18, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dallas, Texas at the 2017 Five Star Conference and Expo.