COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
March Community Conversations: Women in Banking & Finance
Presented by the Mary Parker Foundation
This month’s Community Conversations closed out our financial wellness series with a powerful and informative discussion in honor of Women’s History Month. The session, titled "Women in Banking and Finance," brought together dynamic professionals in finance to share their experiences, offer insights, and empower attendees with practical tools to navigate financial systems and homeownership.
The event was hosted by Kim Harrington, a mortgage banker and the sister of beloved MPF board member Kenny Brown, who was honored with a heartfelt moment of silence. Kim was joined by esteemed panelists:
Shawna Jackson, Community Mortgage Specialist
Regina Page, Certified Public Accountant and owner of a local CPA firm
Key Highlights:
Women Leading in Finance: Panelists reflected on the evolving presence of women—especially women of color—in leadership roles within the banking industry, emphasizing the importance of representation and mentorship.
Financial Literacy & Homeownership: Discussions centered around educating consumers—particularly first-time homebuyers—on budgeting, credit, and preparing for long-term homeownership. Both panelists emphasized the importance of understanding debt-to-income ratios, hidden costs like property taxes and maintenance, and building a savings cushion.
Tax Strategy & Entrepreneurship: Regina Page shared practical strategies for self-employed individuals, including how to legally reduce taxable income while maintaining mortgage eligibility—through smart use of depreciation, retirement contributions, and even employing family members.
Down Payment Assistance & Grants: The conversation explored various programs like Georgia Dream, CHIP, and in-house grants offered by financial institutions like Truist and Academy Mortgage. The speakers clarified common misconceptions around “100% financing,” reminding attendees that closing costs still apply.
Empowerment Through Preparation: The panel encouraged participants to seek financial advice early, understand the nuances of different income structures (e.g., sole proprietorships vs. S-corps), and to recognize that it’s never too late—highlighted by a story of an 80-year-old first-time homeowner.
This session reinforced the Mary Parker Foundation’s mission to educate, empower, and support the financial growth of our community—especially through the lens of women breaking barriers in the banking world.
