WEST END SYMPOSIUM

Paul has been in the financial services industry for over 20 years and has worn many hats, including Underwriter, Mortgage Agent, and Business Development Manager. Most recently, Paul led business development at Merix Financial and Equitable Bank. In these roles Paul was responsible establishing and building key partnerships within the broker community, going above and beyond to provide brokers and their clients with exceptional customer service. 

Kristen is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team at Treefort Technologies as the Director of Customer Experience. In this capacity she oversees the Treefort customer support team, customer onboarding, and manages Treefort’s integration clients as well as plays a key role in Treefort marketing efforts. Kristen brings a wealth of knowledge to Treefort’s Team having worked in customer service for over 16 years, including 10 years in management. Her educational background is in marketing and advertising. When she is not spending time with her husband and two daughters, she enjoys working on DIY projects.

Elena was part of the First National team as their first Business Development Manager during its early years in the industry.  She rejoined in 2018 to help launch the Excalibur program, First National’s alternative lending division.  Elena brings numerous years of industry expertise to her role as Vice President, Residential Sales.  Throughout her three decades in the industry, Elena has mastered her sales, business development, management and training skills.  Elena was recognized as CMP’s Women of Influence in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and listed as an Elite Women in the Global Best in Mortgage 2022.

Pierre has been working in the mortgage industry for over 15 years and is recognized as a seasoned leader and manager in credit operations and sales. Pierre is a result-based leader, striving for service excellence while managing and developing relationships with brokers partners and other mortgage industry professionals. Pierre is currently the VP, Mortgage Lending at Home Trust and leads HTC’s sales force. Pierre was recently the VP, Underwriting at Home Trust. Prior to that lead numerous credit operations teams for Radius Financial, Paradigm Quest and Macquarie Financial. He is fully bilingual in English and French and holds an MBA Finance from Ecole Superior de Gestion from Paris France.  

Cherolle is a financial crime professional with over 20+ years of experience in the Canadian financial industry. She has extensive experience in retail, small business and commercial banking fraud and was responsible for the development and execution of fraud strategy (Canadian and U.S.) at two major Canadian financial institutions. At Equifax, Cherolle leads a team of analytic consultants that provide data and analytics expertise to help customers solve complex business problems related to fraud.

Cristina Minatel is the Director of National Sales for Reverse Mortgages at Equitable Bank. With over 20 years in the industry, Cristina began her career in credit underwriting in 2001 and transitioned to sales in 2014. She is passionate about the mortgage industry, bringing extensive expertise in Prime, Alternative and Reverse Mortgage Lending. Cristina is a strong advocate for mortgage brokers, viewing them as the best way for Canadians to get a mortgage. Prior to her current role, she led the Inside Sales team nationally at Equitable Bank before shifting her focus to Reverse Mortgages earlier this year.