Shelley has been a pioneer in reverse mortgage lending, having begun her career almost two decades ago. After years at home raising her children, she fell into the unlikely world of reverse mortgages. From her very first client, she was hooked. She, like other originators, witnessed palpable relief at reverse mortgage closings because the clients were able to improve their retirements without having to give up home.
In her career at Wells Fargo and MetLife, Shelley assumed many roles in sales and sales management but has been most steadfast in her commitment to education and ethical lending. She has pursued a long-standing interest in how to integrate housing wealth into the context of a holistic financial plan. Accordingly, she has spoken on reverse mortgage lending at retirement income planning conferences, and for organizations such as NRLMLA, ABA, and NAHB. She speaks frequently on the radio and appeared live on CNN financial. She has been a regular participant at industry events and specializes in bringing together reverse mortgage lenders with other financial services experts.
Shelley developed a series of calculators that demonstrate the effect of using a reverse mortgage in retirement planning. She authored, through a partnership with the American CE Institute, an advanced course, Housing Wealth in Retirement.
Shelley authored “What’s the Deal with Reverse Mortgages” and is co-author of “What You Don’t Know About Retirement Income Can Hurt You.”
Her connections to the industry are especially deep. She mentors elite loan officers throughout the country who have participated in her comprehensive training program, and who have committed to strict ethical standards.
Today, Shelley chairs the non-profit Funding Longevity Task Force. This team of researchers, gerontologists, financial planning practitioners, and lenders is devoted to helping Boomers understand how powerful their housing wealth could in planning for a more secure retirement.
Shelley earned a B.A. from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. from Old Dominion University. She lives in Washington, DC where she is a member of Women in Housing and Finance, NAIFA, and the FPA.
Her email address is shelley@longevityview.com.