At first a broker by chance, now by choice

MortgageBrokerNews is continuing its series of features on the finalists for Broker of the Year in both categories -- the under 25 employees and the 25 and over.

MortgageBrokerNews is continuing its series of features on the finalists for Broker of the Year in both categories -- the under 25 employees and the 25 and over. This year’s group is the most diverse, spanning the country. Winners in both categories will be named at the upcoming Canadian Mortgage Awards on May 10 at the Liberty Grand in Toronto.
 
Finalist in the Mortgage Broker of the Year (25 Employees and Over) category
 
Janet MacDonald, The Mortgage Professionals, Kingston, Ont.
 
Janet MacDonald got her start in the channel purely by chance.
 
“I was hired as a summer student at Canada Trust in 1988,” she says. “After a week of filing they asked me if I could handle processing mortgage discharges. For two years I worked full-time in the summer and 20 hours a week during the school year actually preparing the old paper discharges and mailing them to clients and solicitors.”
 
It was after graduation that MacDonald took on several roles in mortgage administration, eventually moving up to supervise a mortgage administration group.
 
Later, at CMHC she continued to expand her mortgage knowledge, providing support to the lenders and brokers before moving on to Municipal Trust and ReMax.
 
MacDonald joined The Mortgage Professionals in 2001 in administration then started brokering in November 2003, growing her business to become top broker in 2012 at her office.
 
Currently a mortgage agent with Verico The Mortgage Professionals, MacDonald attributes her success to doing what is best for the client.
 
“I’ve always believed that if you do what is best for your client, even if that means sending them back to their own bank or doing a deal with little pay, then you will always have business coming in the door,” she says.
 
MacDonald, a married mother of two, understands the value of family and living life to the fullest.
“Surviving breast cancer in 1999 had a definite impact on the importance of family time,” she says. “We love to travel and I typically take 10 weeks off yearly. Most people in my office are astounded that I can take so much time off, but having a well-run business and always being in touch while I am away allows me to do this.”
 
For a full list of finalists and to reserve your place at the industry’s biggest night visit www.canadianmortgageawards.com - hope you don't miss out this year!
 
The awards sell out every year and with only 3 tables left, we hope it’s not you missing out this year!