Theresa Dumais Honored as a Rising Star Executive

At this year’s Five Star Conference 2021 in Dallas, the Five Star Institute recognized the women who are making a difference in the industry, and making a mark on their colleagues and peers.

The Rising Star Executive Award recognizes young women leaders who, while still early in their careers, have demonstrated an outstanding capability to lead and drive progress. This year, the Rising Star Executive Award went to Theresa Dumais, VP of Government & Industry Relations, Freddie Mac.

In her role, Dumais leads a team that educates external audiences about Freddie Mac's critical role in bringing liquidity, stability, and affordability to the nation's housing finance system. During the pandemic, Dumais' work has been essential in helping homeowners and renters stay in their homes.

"I've never been more proud of my colleagues at Freddie Mac than in our collective work to help borrowers and renters stay in their homes during this difficult time," Dumais said. "So much of the work that we do at Freddie Mac is collective and cross-divisional, including standing up our Single-Family and Multifamily forbearance programs during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Dumais is active in her community and serves on the boards of both Housing Opportunities Community Partners, a local nonprofit that helps increase the self-sufficiency of low- and moderate-income families, and Women in Housing and Finance, an association that works to promote women in the housing and finance industry.

"As a Hispanic woman, I know how critical it is to help lift up women and minorities into leadership roles within the financial services industry," Dumais added. "I have made this an important issue throughout my work both at Freddie Mac and as a volunteer."

What others are saying …
“One of Freddie Mac’s youngest 'officers,' Theresa is passionate about affordable housing policy and brings her professional experience from both Capitol Hill and well-regarded industry organizations to Freddie Mac. In her role, Theresa leads a team that educates external audiences about Freddie Mac’s critical role in bringing liquidity, stability, and affordability to the nation’s housing finance system. During the pandemic, Theresa’s work has been essential in helping homeowners and renters stay in their homes. Theresa is active in her community and serves on the Boards of both Women in Housing & Finance and Housing Opportunities Community Partners, a local nonprofit.”

What does this nomination mean to you and what makes you a good pick for this category?
“It is an incredible honor to be a Rising Star Executive finalist for the Five Star Institute’s 2021 Women in Housing Awards. As one of the youngest officers at Freddie Mac, I bring my policy expertise, passion for providing safe and affordable housing opportunities in all corners of the market, and unique perspective to help inform the important work we do here at the company. As a Hispanic woman, I know how critical it is to help lift women and minorities into leadership roles within the financial services industry. I have made this an important issue throughout my work both at Freddie Mac and as volunteer co-chair of the Professional Development Committee and board member of Women in Housing & Finance. We’re a stronger housing finance system when our collective leadership reflects the diverse and unique perspectives of our shared communities. I am grateful to the Five Star Institute’s leadership in elevating success stories of women leading in our industry!”

What are your proudest career achievements thus far?
Dumais: Certainly, being one of the youngest officers at Freddie Mac is a proud career achievement. I am also proud of my 15+ year career focused on providing housing opportunities for individuals and families. I didn’t grow up with stable housing myself, so it’s personal for me. I was very intentional early on in my career about the impact I wanted to make to help as many people as possible obtain safe, healthy, and stable housing. I am a houser for life!

Are there any women who have served as career mentors for you, and what did you learn from them?
Dumais: My former boss at Freddie Mac, Barbara Fox (former VP, Government Affairs), has been a tremendous mentor and coach. She took the time to really pave the way for my success here at Freddie Mac, and I cannot thank her enough. She is the kind of thoughtful, caring, and action-oriented female leader that you hope you get to work with during your career. She has since happily (and deservedly!) retired, and I work to emulate those traits she taught me not only in my professional life but also in my personal life as well.

What is the most critical piece of advice you would give to women beginning their career in this industry?
Dumais: Two things: find yourself a solid mentor (see above), and if you don’t see the path you want in front of you, then work to pave that path for yourself. That may mean taking calculated risks to help create that path, but with a vision in hand and a north star you can get there.