The following candidates have successfully been nominated to run in AMBA's 2023-2024 Board election. Each candidate has been provided with the opportunity to submit a written statement and headshot. Please note, candidates are presented in alphabetical order.
Important Election Information:
Voting Phase: March 20 - April 14 at 12 noon
All AMBA members have been sent an email from our third-party voting platform with a unique username and key and link to vote. Members can cast one vote per open Director seat. There are four open seats, meaning that each member will have the opportunity to cast four votes. AMBA uses a secure, third-party voting platform to protect the integrity of the election process. Voting will close at 12 noon on April 14.
Election Results: April 14
Once voting has concluded, results will be complied and all candidates will be notified of the results on the afternoon of April 14.
If you have any questions, please contact the AMBA Team at communications@amba.ca
Important Election Information:
Voting Phase: March 20 - April 14 at 12 noon
All AMBA members have been sent an email from our third-party voting platform with a unique username and key and link to vote. Members can cast one vote per open Director seat. There are four open seats, meaning that each member will have the opportunity to cast four votes. AMBA uses a secure, third-party voting platform to protect the integrity of the election process. Voting will close at 12 noon on April 14.
Election Results: April 14
Once voting has concluded, results will be complied and all candidates will be notified of the results on the afternoon of April 14.
If you have any questions, please contact the AMBA Team at communications@amba.ca
2023-2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES
AMIT CHAVDA
I am honoured to be running for the Board of Directors, joining AMBA is a way for me to create positive impact in our industry. I am committed to reinforcing the mission and vision of AMBA, while bringing a fresh outlook and unique ideas to the Board.
I have been fortunate to work in the banking and mortgage lending industry for the past 10 years, of which the most recent eight years have been spent specifically in the broker industry. I started my journey in the broker industry as a licensed broker and excelled with the brokerage I worked with. I learned the fundamentals of working with various lenders and broker partners, understanding financials, and how to process and fully complete a mortgage deal and transaction.
Five years ago, my journey within the industry shifted as I moved to the lender side of the business. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this industry in a completely different capacity and feel my combination of knowledge being a broker and a lender partner will be an asset to the board. I have also served as an Executive Board Member on the Mortgage Loans Association of Alberta, giving me first hand experience working as a volunteer in this industry. I helped plan events, which included providing valuable educational and networking opportunities to our partners and Association members. The culmination of my above experiences and contributions to the industry led to my nomination and win of the Rising Stars Award in 2021.
Thank you for your consideration to be a part of the board and I hope to bring a breath of fresh air to our industry.
In the interest of disclosure and transparency, please note that Amit Chavda has a non-immediate family relation to a current Director. AMBA’s governance policies do not prohibit more than one family member from sitting on the same Board of Directors and our governance practices make clear the fiduciary duty that each Director has to the association, regardless of the familial or business relationship.
VICTOR FRANCOEUR
I have been a Mortgage Professional since March 2000. Prior to my 23 years in this industry, I have completed the CFP, CSC and then the AMP. All of these have benefited my clients over the years and I believe will benefit the AMBA board as well. My Financial Planning designations led me to not only have the patients and expertise to take that customer from Bankruptcy or OPD to home ownership with the best lenders. It also led me to the mindset many of us don’t think about. An Exit plan, preparing for the reality that is this industry.
My Vision for our next board is to improve the customers perception of Mortgage Professionals in the Mortgaging Market place. To create a more stable, inter respect for each other’s business. I have previously built a team that covered both Alberta and B.C. I believe this experience will help to grow relations inter provincially. As Someone who for 16 years worked two full time jobs, I would bring that experience, drive and organizational skill to get things done.
HEATHER MANNA
With over 20 years dedicated to the mortgage industry, Heather is an active Mortgage Broker and Managing Partner to a Team of 50+. Heather is passionate about education and advocacy and her focus for AMBAs board in the upcoming years is to help bring a higher level of consumer confidence and professionalism to the brokerage industry within Alberta.
In such an uncertain economic time with government policy changes looming, unrest market changes and a confusing overall landscape, Heathers focus is to create a greater emphasis on Mentorship, Education and Communication through our association to newer agents, veterans, and industry partners.
Heather is a member of AMBAs Education committee and over the past few years assisted with the rewrite the Mortgage Agents Exam. In addition, Heather has been active with AREA and assisted with the rewrite of the Real Estate Exam. Licensed in B.C and Alberta, Heather has fostered great relationships within the industry and hopes to leverage those contacts within AMBA for the betterment of the organization.
“I believe that Alberta needs to be viewed in a different light then other provinces with respect to lending guidelines. There is a lot of change forecasted in the upcoming years for interprovincial lending and federal policies and with as much communication as possible with other provincial and federal associations, I think we can help bring positive change forward. With past board experience and an absolute passion for the industry, I’m hopeful that I can help provide a collaborative approach to a great new board of directors for AMBA”
KRISTY MAXWELL
Having been on the AMBA board for a year now, I feel I have not even scratched the surface of the impact I am hoping to accomplish. With another term it will allow me the time to truly give back to this amazing association & industry!
I have only just begun to build my momentum, and plan on using this foundation to continue to support the current AMBA efforts in motion. It is truly an exciting time to be apart of the AMBA board and I hope the membership will give me another chance to work on their behalf.
A little about me…
I entered the industry in 2019, brining a broad and sound knowledge base, distinguished by my passion to help fellow entrepreneurs succeed.
With a contagious enthusiasm, I now lead, support, and advance all internal & external relationships within my role of Regional VP of Western Canada; consisting of 1000+ Brokers & Agents across BC, AB & SK within Canada’s Most Respected Mortgage Brokerage Network.
Accomplishments include:
- Co-Creator & Co-host of a national, industry-wide, popular virtual event series called “A Woman’s Perspective” that has been featured in CMP as well as partnership with BHBTV (Brokers Helping Brokers TV).
- 2022 elected Board of Directors member of the Alberta Mortgage Brokers Association (AMBA).
- MPC AB Chapter Member
- AMBA – Operational Committee Volunteer – with the Awards & Recognition team AND will be supporting the newly created “Professional Standards Committee.”
- 2022 CMP’s Woman of Influence
- 2022 CMA’s Woman of Distinction Finalist
Outside the office, I am a mom of two young beautiful little girls and believe I am well known for my love of competing within my community in Extreme Cowboy Racing events with my horse Lincoln.
If re-elected, I guarantee to serve AMBA’S members to the absolute fullest of my capabilities; so I ask you humbly, please consider me, Kristy-Lynn Maxwell, to represent YOU this up coming AMBA election.
Thank you.
JILL MOELLERING
Jill Moellering joined the mortgage industry in 2018 after working in a variety of finance related roles over her career in the oil and gas, accounting and tourism industries. She regards herself as completely unremarkable yet she has somehow managed to convince hundreds of clients to provide her with their social security numbers. Jill works in comfort (sweat pants) from her home office in Sturgeon County and considers meeting for coffee to be 'going out'. She has built a successful brokering business here in Alberta, she also mentors a team of 17~ agents from across Canada and runs a 3 day mortgage underwriting training course called The Mortgage Nerd that offers all encompassing underwriting training to new agents in the industry. She has been a regular presenter and host of the MPC New Agent Symposiums, as well as a presenter at the 2022 AMBA conference in Red Deer. She has won volume awards from both her brokerage and lenders as well as being listed as the 2019 Young Guns, 2022 Women of Influence and 2023 Global Elite Women lists in CMP magazine.
I am deeply passionate about the education and communication aspect of our industry and look forward to the opportunity to bring my enthusiasm for continued learning to the AMBA board. I am eager to be part of a bright and positive future for AMBA and hope my experience as a broker and an educator will help grow the direction of AMBA in Alberta's mortgage industry.
LILA NSAIR
Being a part of AMBA is one step to giving back to my fellow partners and industry colleagues that have been the face of our industry and who stand with integrity and purpose. My vision for the board is to seek like minded individuals that want to make a difference in our industry, helping individuals step outside their comfort zone and strategizing new ways as we adapt to an ever-changing environment. Being optimistic gives hope and reassurance to our clients that they can trust and believe in our advice and perspectives. Developing high performing teams needs to be collaborated by many and to be a part of that to strengthen our presence and make a difference, a team is needed to work together to do so. Given my passion for the mortgage industry and having over 26 years of experience I am excited to share my skill sets and thoughts with partners and to learn new ones as we continue to grow and learn.
We are all leaders within and its not so much about title but more so around how you show up every day. Forming habits and listening to new ideas is key to change and grow. I am excited to be a part of something big and having the platform to bring individuals together to learn, grow and celebrate successes is key and needed to elevate our presence. Being a leader for over 15 years I have learned that the best ideas come from the field and being a part of AMBA will give me that opportunity to seek new ideas and try new things. I am excited to share the same vision with many partners because what is important to you is essential to paving the road ahead. We must manifest together so we can further the AMBA name and deepen our footprint and reputation.
Being a mother to a beautiful 23-year-old daughter she has always taught me that what we believe becomes and that is something that has always stayed with me no matter how complicated or unsure a situation is and to tell you what, it truly is just that!
Thank you once again for giving me the opportunity to voice my passion and thoughts and would love to be a part of a great team and continue building the AMBA name. Leaving you with a quote by Nelson Mandela: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”
ANU REDDY
I want to start by saying that I am humbled to be running for the Board of Directors and appreciate this opportunity. I have been working in the channel for close to 20 years and have watched AMBA and the broker channel evolve and grow to become a strong voice for consumers and mortgage professionals. Last year I was nominated to the Diversity and Inclusion committee and it gave me an opportunity to share my unique perspective and be a passionate voice for the community. I have been actively building relationships with members of the broker channel and I believe my experience as an outsider looking in will add valuable insight to the board.
I started my career working for a lending institution that was outside the broker channel. There I learned the fundamentals: how to write notes, calculate payments and calculate Beacon Scores to price my files. My work ethic and passion served me well, and I established relationships with colleagues who now serve the broker channel in various positions. From there, I made my way to the banking world where I discovered mortgage lending and fell in love! I loved the complexity of each deal and meeting with the client and getting to know them. I job shadowed investing, commercial and realized it was not for me and mortgages was my passion.
My next move brought me into the broker channel and I haven’t looked back. Working in the channel and learning about the various brands gave me the opportunity to meet you and support you and your business. The board needs a voice that knows the channel and its concerns. I have always been an advocate for inclusiveness and diversity, and I hope to share my breadth of experience and passion for the work with all of you on the board.
TRACY REGIER
Hi, I'm Tracy Regier and I'm running to be a member of the AMBA board. During my term, I will be committed to bringing inspiration to the association and advocating for an increase in financial literacy in our community.
As a mortgage professional with 3 years of experience, I believe I can bring a fresh outlook to the committee. Since becoming a mortgage broker in 2020, I have witnessed the immense support AMBA gives to Alberta Mortgage Professionals. I personally felt the support as I drove to the AMBA office in Calgary during the Pandemic to sit for my exam. If elected, I would continue to nurture this caring approach towards our industry professionals.
I have been nominated as a Young Achiever of the Year by the CMA magazine for two years. I believe that my nomination came from the passion I have for spreading financial literacy and giving back to my community. My vision for AMBA in the coming years is to increase education on this topic for our clients as well as our industry professionals.
Organization is one of my strengths. I am a wife and mother to three amazing children. I am also a director of a local women’s empowerment and wellbeing group. I am also proud to say that I am an active member of AMBA and an award winning mortgage broker who strives to be 1% better every day.
I know I can bring this type of positivity and enthusiasm to AMBA and it would be an honour and a privilege to be a 2023 Board Member.
ROBERT M. SCHUETT
For those of you that I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting or working with, my name is Robert Schuett and I am a lawyer practicing in the Real Estate industry, both residential and commercial. My clients include residential homeowners, builders/developers, and lenders.
As a lawyer I feel that I am integrated into the Real Estate industry, I also recognize that others may consider lawyers more of an industry partner. I feel that nuanced relationship provides me with a unique third-party perspective. I’m grateful to have worked alongside a wide variety of clients that have provided me with an ability to view the issues AMBA faces in an unbiased manner.
In 2020 I started a bit of a side hustle with a good friend of mine in government relations. As a registered lobbyist I have gained insight into the political and advocacy process that I believe is central to AMBA’s role and important to its membership. In my role, I regularly speak to political decision makers and feel that they consider and weigh my input with care and attention. Although I may not specifically be handling such matters for AMBA, if elected, I do feel my insight into the process will be a benefit.
Over the past decade I have held positions on local non-profit associations, national sport and youth leadership boards, and political/governmental boards. Through these various roles, I have gained well rounded board experience. Currently, I sit as a director on the Beltline Business Investment Area in Calgary and the International Avenue Arts and Culture Community board, among others.
I speak French and ein bisschen German. I am active in my community and I participate in social and industry events whenever I have an opportunity. Although I understand the weight of running a business and the importance of big decisions, I am laid back and I like to have a good time. I always find the networking aspect of AMBA to be a positive experience and fundamental to the growth of the association.
If any of you have any questions about my experience or are interested in getting to know me better please reach out to me, I would be happy to connect. I can be reached at rmschuett@gfslaw.ca or 403-708-5452.
Oh, and I almost forgot, please vote for me!
TERRY SYNYSHYN
Terry is well versed in the financial services industry and brings strong industry connections and a solid lending background to the table. He has been in the financial services industry for over 23 years, 12 years as an IIROC Licensed Financial Advisor, 9 years as a mortgage broker in the broker channel and 2 years as a BDM with Manulife Bank. Collaboration is a strong attribute he carries and being both intuitive and human is part of his day to day brand. He has over 14 years of volunteer Board experience in the Edmonton area.
Fun Facts:
-Terry’s 2 teenage sons and wife of 23 years keep him busy!
-Enjoys the outdoors which includes hockey, skiing and golf but above all loves to entertain by singing Karaoke!
I would embrace the opportunity to have a voice at the table and to be able to offer my experience, passion and appreciation for our mortgage business in the Alberta marketplace.
My personal and core values do align and echo with what the Association’s values are, which include:
-Respect
-Professionalism
-Transparency
-Inclusivity
It would be an honor to have the opportunity to be a steward and advocate of this nearly 50 year old institution, and I believe that I have the necessary skill set to add some true value to the Board.
I have been in the Financial Services Industry for over 23 years, 12 spent as an IROCC licensed Financial Advisor, 9 years as a Mortgage Broker and the last two years as a Manulife Bank BDM in Northern Alberta (broker sales).
In addition to my Financial Services/Lending experience I also bring 14 years of Board Governance and expertise, with my most recent 10 year tenure as BOD for the 124 Street BIA (Business Improvement Area) in Edmonton. I held various positions including Marketing Director, Treasurer, VP and Chair. My hope is that as a Board, together we can deliver and continue to:
-Collaborate with best ideas and practices
-Make well informed decisions on behalf of the association
-Maintain a high level of integrity
-Give proper representation for all of our broker partners/members across Alberta
I have always been a true believer of giving back to the community and see this as the best possible opportunity to give back to an industry that has provided so much not only to myself, but my family, friends and colleagues over the last decade.
Please give me the opportunity to sit on the board and together let’s help forge the pathway to the next 50 years for AMBA!
KOMAL VIJ
Since Komal has been working in the mortgage industry for 4 years, he has placed a strong emphasis on forging long-lasting relationships with his clients. Before relocating to Canada, Komal had extensive expertise in the financial sector and held the position of Senior Manager in one of India's top banks.
As a first-generation immigrant, I was exploring careers in the financial industry and I was fortunate enough to be a part of AMBA. My excellent career, friendships, and relationships with some genuinely wonderful individuals have all been made possible by the mortgage industry. For the long-term success of our industry, I believe all mortgage brokers should be active members of AMBA.
I decided to become a member of the Board of Directors, with a desire to pay back to our industry. My goal is to keep providing new mortgage brokers with ongoing support as our industry's future rests on fostering their success. AMBA offers a great deal of potential to assist new mortgage brokers in succeeding.
I have volunteered my time to numerous organizations like Sahaita and Art of Living. I participate actively on the board of my community league. Through planning fundraisers and social events, I have given back to the community.
Due to my diverse background and vast experience in mortgage, banking, and credit, I will be a valuable contribution to AMBA's Board.
TERI WHITE
Hi my name is Teri and have worked in the financial industry for over 25 years starting in the bank world till I had the opportunity to come over to the mortgage broker world. My career is definitely one of my biggest passions in life which is why I was wanting to be apart of AMBA.
I was born and raised farm girl from Northern Saskatchewan, moved to Alberta 22 years ago.
As much as I love my career being Mom/Gigi is definitely where my heart shines. One of my goals in life is to see as much of the world as possible…..
I would use the word “Relentless” when it comes to my devotion for clients, co-workers, friends and family… I will exhaust all avenues and never stop trying to help in any way possible.
My profession has brought me experiences and friendships that fill my heart for life.
