A woman named Nora Guerra was honored with inaugural MBA mPower Community Builder Visionary Award

10/10/2026

Guild Mortgage’s Nora Guerra honored with inaugural MBA mPower Community Builder Visionary Award

San Diego – Oct. 10, 2026 – Nora Guerra, Senior Vice President of Community Lending at Guild Mortgage, was presented with the inaugural 2026 mPower Community Builder Visionary Award by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), recognizing women “who light the way forward, see what’s possible and dare to imagine more,” according to the MBA.

The award was presented Saturday, Oct. 10 at MBA’s Summit for Women in Real Estate Finance in Chicago.

Under Guerra’s leadership, Guild Mortgage’s Community Lending platform has expanded from individual homebuyer events into a national growth and education infrastructure. As of Sept. 2026, the team has hosted 94 community education events, generating over 5,800 attendees, while also building a network of 120 community partnerships, including 40 HUD-approved housing agency relationships.

“The most meaningful progress in our industry happens when we listen to the communities we serve and work together to create better paths forward. I’m grateful to be recognized alongside women who are making a difference across our industry, and I hope this recognition continues to shine a light on the work we can all do to expand opportunity and help more people see a path to sustainable homeownership.”
—Nora Guerra, Senior Vice President of Community Lending at Guild Mortgage

The Community Builder Visionary award recognizes Guerra as a leader who actively creates spaces for others to engage, learn, and grow, whether by building networks, fostering partnerships, mentoring peers, or championing initiatives. Guerra received more nominations for the award than any other nominee.

Guerra joined Guild Mortgage in 2024, with over 25 years of mortgage leadership experience focused on empowering underserved communities and making homeownership accessible to all. She was formerly awarded both the Latino Leadership Award from Diversity Journal (2023) and Freddie Mac’s CEO Award (2024), and most recently acknowledged with the Chenoa Fund’s Exceptional Impact Award.

"It’s an honor to celebrate all these fantastic winners, their accomplishments and their goals. And, we’re proud to present this award as a way to highlight women who are making an impact across all corners of the industry.”
—Laura Hopkins, Mortgage Bankers Association Senior Vice President of Membership, Meetings and mPower

Guild Mortgage’s Stephanie Marie Shipley, loan officer and branch manager, and Veronica Vasquez, mortgage originator, were also nominated for a 2026 Visionary Award.

About Guild Mortgage 

Guild Mortgage is one of the largest independent mortgage lenders in the United States, offering a full suite of mortgage programs to help customers achieve the dream of homeownership. For more information, visit guildmortgage.com.

Guild Mortgage media contact: 

Adam O’Daniel

SVP, Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

704.251.4405 

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About the Author: Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage Co. is a nationally recognized retail mortgage lender with branches across 49 states and the District of Columbia. Since 1960, Guild has delivered the promise of home to neighborhoods nationwide through a team of local loan officers with expertise in Conventional and government loans, down payment assistance programs, home equity loans and many more products. Guild elevates the customer service experience with its mobile app, borrower portal, mortgage calculators and real-time loan updates. With a robust in-house loan servicing team, Guild helps borrowers explore and understand rates and payment options or access their home equity. To learn more, visit GuildMortgage.com.