In this MikeDrop episode, we distill an incredible conversation with John Hedlund, one of the most influential leaders in the mortgage industry, whose impact has been felt across multiple sectors of the housing finance world. As a leader who helped build AmeriHome Mortgage into the second-largest correspondent lender in the country, John’s journey offers lessons in leadership, innovation, and adaptability that resonate far beyond the mortgage space. This episode cuts right to the heart of what it takes to succeed in a competitive and cyclical market.
John’s leadership story is one of resilience and forward-thinking vision. He takes us back to his early career, from his foundational work at the Royal Bank of Canada to his time leading operations at Bank of America Home Loans. His career has always been about transformative leadership—whether it was leading RBC Mortgage or overseeing AmeriHome’s meteoric rise from folding tables at Home Depot to a powerhouse in the correspondent lending industry. Throughout this journey, John’s commitment to leadership principles that balance short-term execution with long-term vision has been a consistent theme.
In this MikeDrop, John shares his thoughts on the importance of vision in any organization. He believes that people work best when they understand the larger goals of the company and where it’s headed. Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire organization, providing clarity of vision and fostering a sense of ownership among your people is critical. This is particularly important in the cyclical mortgage industry, where market conditions can change rapidly, requiring both strategic foresight and adaptability. John’s ability to manage these cycles and scale AmeriHome into a top correspondent lender is a masterclass in leadership.
The episode dives into the specifics of John’s entrepreneurial journey, particularly how he guided AmeriHome through its earliest days. He recounts the hands-on work that came with building a company from the ground up, from setting up folding tables at Home Depot to closing that first trade while surrounded by a watchful team of 15. These moments of gritty execution are the building blocks of John’s larger vision—one that eventually saw AmeriHome grow into a financial giant in the correspondent lending market. As John puts it, great leaders must operate on multiple levels, balancing the challenges of day-to-day operations with a keen eye on the long-term future.
John also reflects on the increasing role of advocacy in the mortgage industry. Leadership, as he sees it, is not just about managing a company—it’s about taking responsibility for the broader industry landscape. In this MikeDrop, John talks about his role as a board member for various industry organizations, including the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO) and the California Mortgage Bankers Association (CMBA). He stresses the importance of advocacy, particularly in a heavily regulated industry like mortgage, and how leaders need to be actively involved in shaping the rules that govern their market. John’s dedication to improving the housing industry at the national and state levels is evident in the many roles he’s taken on over the years.
John’s insights into balancing short-term objectives with long-term vision are not just theoretical. He’s lived them. At AmeriHome, he was instrumental in combining forward-thinking leadership with a hands-on approach to business management, fostering a team that was not only loyal but also highly effective. His ability to communicate a clear vision and engage his team regularly through solid reporting and the integration of cutting-edge technology helped him lead AmeriHome through years of growth and eventual acquisition by Western Alliance Bank.
We wrap up the episode with John’s current work at Adanac Advisory Group, where he continues to provide consulting and advisory services across the mortgage industry. His deep understanding of strategic business design, revenue challenges, and technology implementation allows him to offer concrete recommendations that improve businesses from the inside out. As John steps into the next phase of his career, he remains committed to fostering the next generation of leaders, sharing the wealth of knowledge he’s gained over decades of experience.
This MikeDrop is more than just a recap; it’s a concentrated dose of leadership wisdom from one of the mortgage industry's finest minds. John Hedlund’s insights will leave you not only inspired but equipped with practical strategies to apply to your own career and business. If you’re serious about leadership, innovation, and long-term success in the mortgage space, this is one MikeDrop you can’t afford to miss.
