Speaker Information
Homa Rassouli
Mutual of Omaha Reverse Mortgage
With more than 37 years in the financial services and mortgage industry, the last 15 exclusively in the Reverse Mortgage business, Homa brings extensive knowledge and expertise to her clients. Homa’s goal is to transform and provide peace of mind to the lives of her clients with the benefits of a Reverse Mortgage. She provides the education clients deserve so they can make wise and informed decisions. Whether they are looking to have more spending power by eliminating their monthly mortgage payments, extend a retirement portfolio or simply age in place, Homa makes recommendations that suit each client’s individual needs. “The best part about my job is seeing how a client’s Reverse Mortgage allows them security and a more enjoyable life.” Homa began her career at Wells Fargo Bank, where she received the designation of “Top Producer” for more than 10 of those years. She presently works for Mutual of Omaha Reverse Mortgage.
Homa is the recipient of the prestigious “President’s Club” honor. She is a board member for Financial Planners Association, San Francisco Chapter and is fully committed to helping her community. She gives back to the community as a Rotarian and is involved with Novato and San Rafael Chambers of Commerce, The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors for Marin and North Bay, and is an exclusive affiliate with the Marin Bar Association. Homa is also actively engaged with The Marin Realtors, North Bay Realtors, Women Council of Realtors, CAL CPA and Section on Aging just to just name a few. Homa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Finance from Gannon University in Erie, PA. She spends much of her free time with her family, especially her three grandchildren, Sofia, age 12, Ellie 8 and Sebastian, 6 years old.
Shelley Giordano
Academy for Home Equity in Financial Planning
Shelley has been a pioneer in reverse mortgage lending, having begun her career almost two decades ago. After years at home raising her children, she fell into the unlikely world of reverse mortgages. From her very first client, she was hooked. She, like other originators, witnessed palpable relief at reverse mortgage closings because the clients were able to improve their retirements without having to give up home.
In her career at Wells Fargo and MetLife, Shelley assumed many roles in sales and sales management but has been most steadfast in her commitment to education and ethical lending. She has pursued a long-standing interest in how to integrate housing wealth into the context of a holistic financial plan. Accordingly, she has spoken on reverse mortgage lending at retirement income planning conferences, and for organizations such as NRLMLA, ABA, and NAHB. She speaks frequently on the radio and appeared live on CNN financial. She has been a regular participant at industry events and specializes in bringing together reverse mortgage lenders with other financial services experts.
Shelley developed a series of calculators that demonstrate the effect of using a reverse mortgage in retirement planning. She authored, through a partnership with the American CE Institute, an advanced course, Housing Wealth in Retirement.
Shelley authored “What’s the Deal with Reverse Mortgages” and is co-author of “What You Don’t Know About Retirement Income Can Hurt You.”
Her connections to the industry are especially deep. She mentors elite loan officers throughout the country who have participated in her comprehensive training program, and who have committed to strict ethical standards.
Today, Shelley chairs the non-profit Funding Longevity Task Force. This team of researchers, gerontologists, financial planning practitioners, and lenders is devoted to helping Boomers understand how powerful their housing wealth could in planning for a more secure retirement.
Shelley earned a B.A. from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. from Old Dominion University. She lives in Washington, DC where she is a member of Women in Housing and Finance, NAIFA, and the FPA.
Todd Schwartz
Mutual of Omaha Mortgage
Todd has always been involved in financial decision making. Todd attended New York University’s Stern School of Business, and was a successful floor trader at the Chicago Board Options Exchange. He then found financial services, holistic planning and wellness as his professional concentrations.
Todd runs a thriving mortgage practice focusing on a consultative approach and by taking the extra time for each client’s particular needs. His many accomplishments come from tremendous product awareness, great partnerships with his referral sources, and having his clients go through his mortgage planning process. He has received Executive Club membership status every year since the award’s inception at the company.
Todd is known as the most financially cross trained loan officer at the firm. He has working knowledge of banking, insurance (all kinds) and of course, mortgage lending. Todd is also unique in that he has a focus on divorce lending, with a designation and certification (CDLP) and (RCS-D). Because of Todd’s diverse background in financial services, he has taken on the role as speaker/trainer and regularly speaks on planning, financial literacy, and mortgage topics. He also helped organize various affinity programs at the company.
Please ask Todd about Mutual Mortgage’s mortgage financial wellness programs and discounts for businesses and organizations. He is licensed all over the country.