Ladies In Lending

Leading with Curiosity and Courage: Shelley Leonard's Journey to the C-Suite

Welcome to another episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, with your host, Allison Johnston. In this episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, Allison Johnston, sits down with Shelley Leonard—President of Xactus and a trailblazer in both tech and mortgage. Shelley shares how she went from entry-level programmer to president by embracing lateral moves, staying curious, and refusing to settle for comfortable. You'll hear how she balances leadership with life, stays grounded in her purpose, and builds strong teams by leading with compassion and authenticity. Her story is a masterclass in embracing growth, setting boundaries, and inspiring the next generation of women to lean into leadership with confidence.

Jump and the Parachute Will Appear: The Brenda Wyatt Story

Welcome to another episode of the Ladies in Lending podcast, with your host, Krista Russo. In this episode of the Ladies in Lending podcast, Krista Russo sits down with Brenda Wyatt, a top 1% originator and senior mortgage advisor at La Salle Mortgage. Brenda shares her inspiring journey from corporate finance to becoming a nationally ranked loan officer, all while staying grounded in service, legacy, and heart-led leadership. You'll hear how her deep family roots in real estate shaped her mission to leave every client better than she found them—and why connection matters more than just closing the deal. From community outreach to coaching the next generation, Brenda opens up about the power of collaboration, formalizing your systems, and leading with purpose. She leaves us with a challenge every woman needs to hear: "Jump, and the parachute will appear."

Resilience, Real Talk & Redefining Success: Carolina Vergara's Journey

Welcome to another episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, with your host, Krista Russo. In this episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, your host, Krista Russo sits down with Carolina Vergara, Vice President of Sales at First Option, for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, boundaries, and the power of reinvention. Carolina shares her story of immigrating from Colombia at 15, navigating a major culture shock, and finding her voice—and her path—in the competitive world of lending. She opens up about burnout, motherhood, creating structure that actually allows for freedom, and the courage it takes to prioritize what really matters. From building a loyal team to embracing vulnerability and shifting definitions of success, this episode is a must-listen for women striving to lead boldly and live fully.

Resilience, Purpose & Lending with Heart: Rachel Lester's Inspiring Journey

Welcome to another episode of the Ladies in Lending podcast, with your host, Krista Russo. In this powerful conversation, Krista sits down with producing branch manager Rachel Lester to unpack her incredible journey from economic development to mortgage leadership—through cancer, personal loss, and ultimately, a purposeful new mission. Rachel opens up about navigating the lending world while surviving inflammatory breast cancer, grieving the loss of her daughter, and finding healing through action, advocacy, and service. You'll hear how she built a thriving branch, honors her daughter's legacy through a heartfelt new project, and supports veterans with deep conviction and care. This episode is a moving reminder that success isn't just about numbers—it's about grit, grace, and leading with purpose.

The Money Mindset Shift: Lisa Chastain on Healing, Identity & Financial Freedom

Welcome to another episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, with your host, Krista Russo. In this episode of the Ladies In Lending podcast, your host, Krista Russo, sits down with personal finance expert and author Lisa Chastain for a heartfelt and empowering conversation on money, mindset, and self-worth. Lisa shares her powerful journey from financial rock bottom to becoming a sought-after money coach, author, and speaker—revealing how healing your relationship with money starts with healing yourself. Together, they dive into identity loss, comparison culture, motherhood, and the unique challenges women face while building wealth and leading at home and work. This episode is packed with honest insights, transformational mindset shifts, and practical encouragement to help women break through outdated money paradigms and define success on their own terms.