It was a much-needed break during grad school and a single semester spent “trying out” a job processing mortgages that first opened the door to a 23-year career for Stacey Roberts, senior mortgage consultant with Wintrust Mortgage.

“I took a semester off to avoid burnout, started processing mortgages and realized I enjoyed the challenge of the industry and wanted to move into sales,” Roberts says of her unexpected epiphany. “I spent three years processing before moving to Chicago to start as a loan officer and the rest is history.” While her primary market is Chicagoland and the many bustling suburbs it encompasses, today Roberts has closed mortgages in more than 25 states and prides herself on knowing mortgage products like the back of her hand.

“I’m a down payment assistance guru,” she says. “I love to work with first-time buyers and walk them through the process the entire way.” In 2020’s challenging environment, despite the shelter-in-place orders and uncertainty all around her, Roberts navigated her way to her biggest closing year — besting her previous record by 50%. “We had to adapt overnight, but our clients needed us and we did just that.”

Roberts is the winner of the Wintrust President’s Circle honor for seven out of the last 11 years, as well as a 2017 and 2018 Honors Circle honoree. Clients consistently laud her relaxed, cheerful spirit and the detailed insight she provides them as a foundation for their transaction. “I provide a high-level view of the financing process so that they know what to expect. Clients always compliment my patience and willingness to happily answer all their questions, and they appreciate that they continue to hear from me after closing to make sure they’re doing well.”

Despite all 2020 threw at her, Roberts has grown stronger in her marriage, family and career this past year. “I feel incredibly lucky to be connected with so many wonderful people.”