Invigorate Finance, a closed-loan mortgage conduit aggregator and asset manager, was founded on a simple idea – to put the client experience first.
To better understand the ideas – and ideals – that shape Invigorate, Originate Report sat down with Invigorate Finance’s President, Jennifer McGuinness-Lubbert, and Executive Vice President of Asset Management Operations, Aren Anderton.
Mentors play an important role in shaping us personally and professionally. Can you highlight someone who has helped shape you throughout your life?
Jennifer McGuinness-Lubbert (JML): While some may focus on the professional side of this question, I am going to focus on a personal mentor – my son, Alex. He is the best thing I have accomplished, and his positive outlook and unrestricted enthusiasm have kept me motivated to keep moving forward in my career.
Alex has taught me a lot about my personality and how I relate to those around me. Because of him, I have adjusted how I approach certain discussions or situations. I recall a time when he was around four years old, and he refused to listen to an idea that I was trying to convey. He was “stuck” on his idea and had no intention of listening to me. I realized that this must be how others feel if I refuse to listen to their ideas. This led me to make changes that immediately opened the door for greater collaboration and partnership. Alex has taught me more than he will ever know, and I am a better person and leader because of him.
Aren Anderton (AA): The Webster definition of mentor reads, in part, “a trusted counselor or guide” and defines the 5 “c’s” of mentoring – competence, character, confidence, connection, and compassion.
When I reflect on this definition, I immediately think of my father. In my younger years, he took on a tutor and coach role. He told me what to do and how to do it; most importantly, he taught me why to do something. As I began my career, he continued guiding me on work ethic, integrity, and loyalty in the workforce. He led by example by spending 35 years at the same company, and then, after retirement, worked as a consultant for five more years. He was and always will be the voice in my head guiding me along in my career, helping me differentiate and understand right from wrong.
Jennifer, one element you noted is that you always choose the right person for the job regardless of their identity, which is an important point to note in today’s climate. Can you explain what you meant by wishing to explain “who you are,” not “what you’ve overcome” as a woman in lending?
JML: As the number of women and other underrepresented communities has increased in this sector, so have the returns of diverse businesses and initiatives.
Unlike when I began my career, we are now seeing more women and people from marginalized communities in the C-Suite. I think this is just the beginning. When I say that I want to explain who I am – rather than what I have overcome as a woman in this industry – it means that no one should be placed in a separate category solely because of who they are. Although I am regularly one of the only women at the table, I have generally been treated as an equal. I will tell you, though, that you need to earn it.
I got my first “shot” because, when a trader was told the model he wanted could not be built by five senior analysts, I volunteered to build it. At that point in my career, I didn’t know how – but I said I would anyway and committed to producing a first run for the desk in three days. I worked 20 hours a day researching and building the model – without Google. The model was then used in the trading business where I worked. I became a valued and consistent resource to the trading desk, and my story continues from there. Moral of this story? Nothing comes to you by itself; you must go after what you want and own who you want to be.
When thinking about how Invigorate has been able to grow so far, you both mentioned how the business has shifted from a single-channel to a multi-channel approach. Can you explain the importance of diversifying your business and how Invigorate stands apart in a crowded field?
JML: In any ever-changing market, the only constant is change. Because we are a correspondent aggregator and asset manager, we can proactively react to changes in the marketplace. This also means we can define and manage the asset management path of loans, create successful outcomes, and optimize returns – all while decreasing the possibility of loss.
Invigorate was built through identifying opportunities and ensuring a nimble platform. Without the ability to adjust in dynamic markets, a financial business will miss opportunities.
AA: Like Jen said, the mortgage industry is constantly changing. Sometimes it changes by the day, and sometimes by the hour. A multi-channel approach allows us to rise above any snag in the market and focus on areas of growth. The key concept in this process is diversity. If we put all our eggs in one basket, that basket is bound to break. With diversity in offerings, this does not happen. In turn, the business can prosper and grow.
When discussing the growth of Invigorate, you both mentioned that sustainable growth is a key factor in a company’s overall success. What, in your mind, is the most important piece of this puzzle?
JML: You cannot expect to build and lead a great business without recognizing the value of your team. Companies often lose sight of this. In a business like Invigorate, mere numbers or spreadsheet data is not enough – you also must aggregate and scale well. To me, it is important to balance human and technological capital. On top of this, you must foster and build a creative, collaborative environment.
AA: I think the most important piece of the puzzle is combining the right staff with the right technology and growing at a pace that makes sense. It’s a little like the chicken and the egg problem. We need the staff to do the work but must make sure we have the work to keep the staff. Many other companies hire when volume is high and lay off when volume is low, while hoping that, when there is another volume spike, the employees will return. This practice is not sustainable. Avoiding this pattern creates an edge that allows the team at Invigorate to provide consistent results, which creates an environment where loyalty is valued.
What excites you about building this venture from scratch, and what mantras remain central to the continued growth of Invigorate?
JML: What excites me most is having the ability to be truly creative with the solutions we offer. This may sound strange because business building is not known as a “creative” endeavor. However, as we continue to build Invigorate, I have designed new products, developed partnerships, and brought innovative ideas to the market. I also love watching our partner lenders, investors, and clients realize their full potential.
The vision for Invigorate is to address the “gaps” I observed in my previous roles that, at times, hindered optimal execution or achievement in transactions. I believe we can leverage our strengths from past business experiences and adjust what was ineffective or inefficient. For me, one of my biggest frustrations in investment banks, REITs, or hedge funds was the focus on building $1 billion+ trades rather than building sustainable businesses. If the market turned, we were either out of the trade or the process was very slow. Invigorate, however, is not just a trade; it is a business.
AA: Ground-up construction yields solid walls and foundations. Similarly, building a company from the ground up allows us to establish safety nets to prevent bad habits. This also allows us to build technological structures tailored to specific needs and to fill the “voids” left open by other companies. As we continue to grow, I am excited to see what the next chapter for Invigorate holds!
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If you would like to learn more about the unmatched collaboration and two distinct channels offered by Invigorate Finance, visit invigoratefinance.com today.
