With resolute patience and perseverance, Nina Gonzalez, vice president of mortgage lending at Guaranteed Rate Affinity, gives off a consistent and steady aura in an otherwise stressful industry. “Patience and calmness are the most important skills in this industry,” she insists. “That and problem-solving skills allow me to be an effective leader and a valuable asset to my clients, partners and friends.”
With over 22 years the industry, Gonzalez found her beginnings working in banking. It was there she found out about an apprenticeship under a sales manager, and the rest is history. “I was in banking for less than a year before I started in the lending industry,” she recalls. “But that one year helped me better understand client relations, the basics of finance and how I can truly guide my clients in their spending during the buying process.”
With the most challenging time of her life, Gonzalez has created the Niarey L. Brown Foundation in memory of her son, who recently passed. “I have taken all of this loss to create opportunity for the youth of Chicago,” she says. “The primary focus of the foundation is to support youth sports for all children and evolve to providing scholarships to young men in need of a little assistance in life’s obstacles.
Constantly striving to improve, Gonzalez recently had her most successful year of originations yet. “My growth allowed me to really understand that the power to achieve is in my hands,” she proclaims. Her success has translated to how she garners her business, with 100% of new clients coming through referrals from past clients and her Realtor partners. She recently was named a top originator in her region by NAHREP on its top 250 list.
Outside of the office, Gonzalez takes pride in being a mother, grandmother and dog mom. Additionally, she’s proud of her Afro-Latina culture and ancestry. “I am very proud of my culture,” she says, “and I want to be influential in areas where you would not normally have someone like me as a role model.”
Guaranteed Rate, Inc. is a private corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware. It has no affiliation with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture or any other government agency.
