Actualizing Success

• Encouraging Team Connection

  In this episode of Actualizing Success, Kerry Wekelo, COO, and Theresa Santoro, Director of HR and Operations from Actualize Consulting, share their insightful journey of fostering team connection in a predominantly remote work environment. With nearly two decades of collaboration, Kerry and Theresa share their experiences, creating a vibrant, cohesive, award-winning company culture that prioritizes professional and social engagement. Their conversation explores the unique approach Actualize takes to blend business with enjoyment, ensuring that employees feel valued and connected, no matter where they are in the world. From fun and creative virtual events to memorable in-person retreats, they discuss why variety is key in employee engagement and how such strategies lead to stronger relationships among team members. This episode promises to leave you with renewed inspiration for building connections within your own team! Listen to Learn More About: The importance of diverse virtual activities to keep teams engaged Practical and effective strategies for maintaining personal connections with employees in a growing company How in-person retreats and virtual events spark creativity and camaraderie The impact of community service initiatives on team morale and cohesion Exclusive insights into what sets Actualize apart from other firms, including how they cultivate a family-like atmosphere during the recruitment process and beyond Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don’t forget to rate this episode and leave a review!  Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com    We'd love to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments or would like to collaborate on a future episode, please contact us at [email protected].

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• Understanding Liquidity in Mortgage-Backed Securities: The Role of the TBA Market

  In this episode of Actualizing Success, Actualize Consulting's Partner Matt Seu explains the crucial yet often misunderstood topic of liquidity in the mortgage and mortgage securities market. He sheds light on how entities like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae provide essential liquidity, enabling the smooth buying and selling of loans through capital markets as well as the concept of the To-Be-Announced (TBA) market, which allows lenders to price and sell mortgage-backed securities ahead of time, ensuring a steady flow of loans. Catch this quick 7-minute episode for valuable insights into the mechanics of this critical market aspect. Listen to learn more about:The impacts of liquidity on the marketThe roles that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae play in providing liquidityHow the TBA market stabilizes the supply chain and plays a vital role in helping homebuyers access housing across the countryThe impact of liquidity on lenders' ability to manage loan origination and pricingThe importance of maintaining a fluid supply chainHow market fluctuations affect the mortgage landscapeThanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don’t forget to rate this episode and leave a review! Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com    If you have any questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you. You can contact us at [email protected].   

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• The Glass Half Full Approach

  In the latest episode of Actualizing Success, Actualize Consulting's Senior Manager John Kruger and Managers Kwame Twum and Hunter Atchison explore the "Glass Half Full" philosophy and its transformative impact on the consulting landscape. Our experts share their insights on fostering a positive mindset that nurtures client relationships and drives innovation and creative problem-solving. Their conversation dives deep into essential consulting practices, including managing scope creep, setting clear expectations, and the pivotal role of communication in ensuring collaborative success. This episode offers both seasoned professionals and newcomers alike practical tips and inspiring stories to elevate their consulting experience.Listen to learn more about:Building long-term trust with clientsThe importance of a positive mindset in consultingHow delegation and teamwork contribute to consulting successEnhancing client communication strategiesPractical tips for project successAbout John Kruger  John is a Senior Manager at Actualize Consulting with over 11 years of experience. He specializes in Treasury and risk management, cash management and forecasting, payments, cash accounting process, training and development, support process reviews and documentation, SaaS implementations, project management, and relationship management. Email: [email protected] About Hunter Atchison  Hunter is a Manager at Actualize Consulting and a versatile IT Specialist with progressive experience in system implementation, and business analysis. He utilizes his treasury and banking background to analyze current state business processes and adapt for efficiency and regulatory compliance. His in-depth expertise ensures timely support and upkeep of new and existing enterprise applications. Email: [email protected] About Kwame Twum: Kwame is a Manager at Actualize Consulting for the Mortgage Fixed and Income Practice with over a decade of experience in the Banking and Payments domain. He has led numerous client projects and delivered strategic recommendations that directly influence businesses of varying asset sizes. Kwame is renowned for his expertise in identifying critical risks and crafting innovative solutions, resulting in substantial reductions in default rates and significant cost savings. Email: [email protected] Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don’t forget to rate this episode and leave a review! Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com    If you have any questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you. You can contact us at [email protected]. 

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• AI Impact on Loan Origination

  In this episode of Actualizing Success, Actualize Consulting's Partner Matt Seu and Tela Mathias, Chief Operating Officer at Phoenix Team and CEO and Chief Technology Officer at Phoenix Burst, explore the exciting intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and mortgage loan origination. With over 50 years of combined experience in mortgage technology, our experts share their unique perspectives on AI's role in shaping the industry, the challenges ahead, and how generative AI might revolutionize mortgage origination in this engaging episode. Listen to learn more about:How AI has been quietly shaping the mortgage industry for decadesThe biggest challenges and opportunities generative AI presents for loan originationWhy compliance and data transparency are significant hurdles for AI adoptionThe potential of consumer-led underwriting and AI-driven lead generationHow we are leveraging generative AI to tackle regulatory change in the mortgage sectorAbout Matt Seu Matt is a Partner at Actualize Consulting, managing the Mortgage & Fixed Income practice. With three decades of experience in the mortgage industry, Matt is a wealth of information and a true thought leader committed to moving the industry forward through digital transformation and standardizing how the mortgage industry communicates. Before his time at Actualize, he served as a Vice President for Freddie Mac, focusing on large-scale business and technology change efforts. Matt is a two-time winner of MISMO's prestigious Outstanding Contribution Award and the 2023 Industry Titans Award.  Email: [email protected] About Tela MathiasTela is the Chief Nerd and Mad Scientist at PhoenixTeam, where she is also the Chief Operating Officer. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Burst, a generative artificial intelligence (genAI) regtech startup seeking to simplify compliance. She has 25 years of experience envisioning and delivering large scale mortgage technology products and is a recognized expert in genAI in mortgage.Email: [email protected] Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don’t forget to rate this episode and leave a review! Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com    If you have any questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you. You can contact us at [email protected]. 

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• 2025 Treasury Outlook

  In this episode of Actualizing Success, Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo, Senior Consultant Michelle Dudar, and Senior Manager Tyler Sciortino explore the pivotal trends reshaping treasury in 2025. From rapid AI advancements driving strategic planning, risk management, and fraud detection to the major changes driven by the ISO transition, they uncover how technology is revolutionizing treasury management. The discussion highlights the power of APIs in enhancing connectivity, the benefits of notional pooling and in-house banking for optimizing liquidity, and the future of forecasting automation. Tune in to discover what your treasury team needs to know to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving financial landscape.Listen to learn more about:The transformative power of AI for strategic planning, risk management, and fraud detectionKey considerations for the 2025 ISO transition and its impact on streamlining global financial transactionsThe critical role of APIs in enhancing connectivity and compliance,The benefits of notional pooling and in-house banking in optimizing liquidityThe future of forecasting automation in treasury operations About Kerry Wekelo Kerry is Chief Operating Officer at Actualize Consulting. Her book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles for Creating and Maintaining a Thriving Organizational Culture and latest book Gratitude Infusion, are the impetus behind Actualize Consulting being named Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, and Great Place to Work-Certified. In her leadership, Kerry blends her experiences as a consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, mindfulness expert, and entrepreneur. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and Forbes. Email: [email protected]  About Tyler Sciortino: Tyler is a Senior Manager in the Treasury & Capital Markets practice at Actualize Consulting. He has a wide range of valuable skills and qualities, including expertise in analyzing financial research, team building, motivational leadership, critical and analytical writing abilities, a passion for business, and a strong drive to achieve success. His specializations include risk management, reporting, business requirements, and project management. He holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago.   Email: [email protected]  About Michelle Dudar Michelle is a Senior Consultant at Actualize Consulting with extensive industry experience in Treasury and global capital markets. She has implemented international Treasury Management Systems and led or played active roles in strategic transactions including acquisitions and divestitures, equity issues and IPOs, and debt issues and redemptions. Michelle earned an MBA - Finance a BComm - Accounting from the University of Calgary. Email: [email protected]   Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and come back for more. In the meantime, don’t forget to rate this episode and leave a review! Website: www.actualizeconsulting.com    If you have any questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you. You can contact us at [email protected].   

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