Pivotal Moments: Women Of Influence Reflect On The Turning Points That Shaped Their Leadership

The path to leadership is rarely linear — it’s shaped by decisions made in uncertainty, and challenges faced head-on. As part of HousingWire’s Women of Influence spotlight series to promote the award’s 2025 nomination period, we asked past honorees to look back on the key moments that most influenced their leadership journey.

Their reflections span deeply personal experiences — like navigating maternity leave — to bold career leaps, mindset shifts, and redefining how they listen and lead in times of change. Each reveals the resilience, intentionality, and clarity that continues to power these leaders’ impact in the housing industry today.

Looking back on your career journey, what pivotal moment or decision most shaped your leadership path in the housing industry?

“I was out on maternity leave with my first child. I was supposed to be back in 6 weeks but had some complications. I was not able to come back at the scheduled time and my leader at the time, asked me how much money my husband made. This was almost 18 years ago and I hadn’t gotten that far in my career but I was taken aback by his question. I asked why he would ask me something like that, to which he replied, ‘Maybe you should stay home and bake brownies because that’s what it sounds like you want to do.’ I remember feeling very torn. It was a pivotal and defining moment for me. I committed to never making an employee or team member choose between their family and their career. It shouldn’t be a choice. We are a great team but your family is your family and you should be able to bring your whole self to the equation…” – Erin Sheckler, Group President – NCS/API/International at Stewart Title Guaranty Company

“When I took a leap of faith and decided to be part of a start up in 2019. New IMB are already tough, but we had the challenges of the pandemic to contend with, and it taught me so many valuable lessons.” – Erin Dee, Chief Operating Officer at Interlinc Mortgage Services

“The moment I stopped waiting for permission and just started leading. I realized early on that leadership isn’t about a title — it’s about showing up, solving problems, and lifting others as you climb. When I stepped into roles that didn’t yet exist, especially during moments of uncertainty like the pandemic, I saw what I was capable of. That mindset shift — from contributor to creator — changed everything for me.” – Kevelyn Guzman, Regional Vice President of Coldwell Banker Warburg

“There wasn’t one specific moment, but rather a shift in how I listened. I stopped leading to prove my value and began leading to make complexity clear, without losing what’s essential. That shift required me to release control and lead with presence, so others could rise. Now, my focus is on building a company where grounded, purposeful leaders uphold our core values, keep building what’s next, and design experiences that advance the well-being of our customers, partners, and employees. In an industry where the stakes are human, not just financial, that clarity continues to shape every decision I make..” – Merced Cohen, Executive Vice President, Operations at CV3financial.com

Nominations for the 2025 Women of Influence award are now open through May 31 — submit your nomination today.