Future Leaders Program
The Future Leaders program of the Tennessee Mortgage Bankers Association was created in 2018 by TNMBA’s Past President, Retta Gardner, CMB, and Dana Abernathy, CMB. The program is designed to educate and mentor individuals who are passionate about the industry and have the potential to be a future leader within their company as well as a desire to serve on the local, state, and national association level.
Future Leaders is ideal for any candidate who has experience in the Mortgage Industry and who has a passion to learn, grow, and develop leadership skills. It is for those who have 3-10 years of experience in the business, but people with less or more will be considered. This is a tremendous opportunity to network with your peers and be a part of a great industry that changes people’s lives. It will add value to yourself as well as your company.
Debbie Gadberry, CMB with First Federal Bank, Eric Fellows with New American Funding, Todd Brown with MIG, Aimee Macilveen with A Mortgage Boutique, Liz Wheeler with FirstBank, Donna Boling with MIG, and Karley Bond with Regions Mortgage will be facilitating the program.
Like to sponsor or contribute to the 2023-2024 Future Leaders Class? Click here to sponsor today!
We are excited to begin accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Future Leaders class. We ask for companies and individuals to link arms with us in making this year’s class our most successful to date.
All sponsors will be featured on the TNMBA social media throughout the months of our four classes. Sponsors will also be recognized at the state luncheon at the 2024 Great River Conference.

Graduating candidates will receive, 10 Education points and 1 Industry Participation point, for a total of 11 points toward their CMB designation.
Curriculum – 4 in-person sessions, plus in-person graduation at the GRC TN Luncheon is mandatory:
1) Intro/Ethics/History of TNMBA/Leadership/MBA Spotlight in Knoxville, September 12-13, 2023 – Kickoff Social is September 12th, 4 pm-6 pm, and Class is September 13th, 9 am-2 pm at Mortgage Investors Group
2) Secondary/Leadership in Nashville, November 15, 2023, 11 am-4 pm – Optional Happy Hour afterward Dutch Treat.
3) Servicing/Leadership in Chattanooga, January 10-11, 2024 – Social January 10th, 4 pm-6 pm, and Class is January 11th, 9 am – 2 pm
4) Day on the Hill (Advocacy), February 26-27, 2024 in Nashville – Class will be February 26, 2024 and DOH will be February 27, 2024.
5) Graduation at the GRC TNMBA State Luncheon – April 17, 2024, in Memphis, TN at the Peabody Hotel
Candidate Commitment:
In order to graduate and be recognized at the GRC TNMBA Installation State Luncheon on April 17, 2024, candidate must attend in person all 4 courses and the GRC24 TNMBA State Luncheon.
Cost: $350
The deadline for applications will be August 4th, 2023. One lucky applicant, whose application is received by July 21, 2023, will receive ½ off fees.
(Price Includes: All three (3) Future Leaders Sessions, Day on the Hill Registration Fee & Reception, Future Leader Private Reception at the GRC24, and the GRC TNMBA Installation Luncheon Registration.) Any hotel, food, or beverage expense outside of the classroom or Future Leaders Program sponsored socials will be at the expense of the applicant and/or their company.
Qualifications:
- This program is recommended for those with 3-10 years in the business, but people with less or more experience will be considered. If you do not meet the minimum requirement of 3 years with your current employer, please list below your past employers below that help you meet the minimum requirement.
- This will be an in-person class.
- Must attend all classes to graduate the program.
- Employer must be a present TNMBA Member to participate in the program.
If you have any questions please contact:
Karley Bond at Karley.bond@regions.com or Call (731)616-5350
Aimee Macilveen at Aimee.Macilveen@amortgageboutique.com or Call (865)310-4367
**Limited spots available. All applications should be submitted by August 4, 2023.
If any questions please email us at info@tnmba.org.