Hearing the laughter from an audience is an indescribable feeling to Elise Jordan Elizalde, a former comedy writer and performer, but nothing compares to a client’s tears of joy or smiles come closing day.

“I honestly decided to make the switch thinking that if it didn’t work out, it would at least give me a few solid ideas for a script,” recalls Elizalde, a senior loan originator for NRL Mortgage Chicago, who serves first-time to luxury buyers and investors in the city. “However, once I began working with clients, I quickly realized just how passionate I am about helping them navigate what is often the largest financial decision of their lives.”

Elizalde’s sense of humor and authenticity have been the driving force behind her success; a majority of her business comes from repeat and referral clients. She loves that she is able to bring levity to an often- stressful process. “I always say that finance is a language and mortgage finance is an even rarer dialect,” she says. “My goal as a lender is to not only serve as an interpreter through the loan process but also to make sure that my clients and referral partners have a great experience.”

In 2020, she became a member of NRL’s Captain’s Club, recognized among the top loan officers in the country. More importantly, it was a reminder of all the families she was able to help last year. Amidst all the uncertainty, she also built a team, that includes a loan operations specialist and loan officer. “The team has allowed me to take on more clients and get pre-qualifications out faster than before, which in this crazy market is essential,” she says.

Elizalde recently married Matt, the love of her life and father of her four fur babies, and was thrilled to be able to hug her 93-year-old grandmother at the wedding.