Name: Jessie Mosqueda
Hometown: Coachella, CA
Current Job/City: Vice President, Bank of the West
CHCI Program(s)/Placement(s): Graduate Fellowship 2003-2004, Fannie Mae HOGAR Fellowship 2005, Option One Mortgage
1. What have you been doing since you finished the CHCI program(s)?
Upon finishing the CHCI program, I spent time intersecting the nonprofit, public, and private sectors with a focus on Housing and Community Development. I was fortunate enough to work for Fannie Mae and McCormack Baron Salazar on issues pertaining to Hispanic Homeownership and Affordable Housing. I currently serve as a Vice President at Bank of the West in charge of Community Affairs in the Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico division.
2. What impact did your CHCI experience have on your career and development as a leader?
CHCI’s Graduate Fellowship program allowed me to link my passion in housing and community development with a company that serves as a linchpin to homeownership in the United States. As an HOGAR Fellow, I was offered an opportunity to develop a Default & Foreclosure Educational Novella and further my career with hands on experience with a mortgage industry sub-servicer. Overall CHCI offered me a blend between the safety net of an academic environment with real world practical experience. It is for this reason that I find myself professionally where I am today.
3. How have you stayed engaged in community service?
Community service is part of my job responsibilities. I oversee the Bank’s Charitable Giving and Bank Volunteerism in my region. I help support organizations that have a mission to serve low and moderate income individuals and families and organize volunteerism that promotes financial education, affordable housing and board service.
Personally, I serve on the Regional Advisory Board of ClearPoint Credit Solutions and have been nominated to serve on the Board of Directors for the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition.
4. What advice would you give current and future CHCI participants?
Washington DC offers a unique work environment. Regardless of issue, you are likely to find a young, diverse and passionate cohort of people working hard on issues that affect the lives of average Americans. After you leave DC, you will notice that the professional world is a little smaller that you imagined. Embrace and enjoy your time in DC and remember to protect your professional reputation.
5. Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?
I hope to be in a career that keeps challenging me both personally and professionally. It’s hard to say exactly where and what I will be doing professionally, but I know it will continue to be working on the issues of housing and community development.