Honoring the housing economy’s next generation of leaders.

HousingWire’s Rising Stars program recognizes industry professionals who have become leaders in their respective fields. Those who are helping move markets forward, each and every day.

They help run major corporations, and are the entrepreneurs building tomorrow’s great businesses. They work in any and every area of the housing economy: lenders, servicers, investors, and real estate. They come from diverse backgrounds but share one common trait: an outsized impact on the industry and their businesses.

We encourage a wide range of professionals to apply for consideration for this unique and powerful award, one of the only of its kind in the industry. Winners will be profiled in the June issue of HousingWire Magazine.

Program Details

  • The 2021 nomination period is now closed. Check back next year for more details on the 2022 program!

Past Winners:

Eligibility & Criteria:

Nominees must be no older than 40 years of age as of June 1, 2021; and must be employed full-time in a business role primarily engaged in some aspect of the U.S. housing economy (lending, servicing, investments, real estate).

Submissions are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the submission questions for Rising Stars?

  • What’s your elevator pitch? Give us the elevator pitch on why you think this nominee should be a Rising Star honoree. (No more than three sentences.)
  • Contribution to your organization. Provide the reasons this person is so valuable to your organization, focusing particularly on the last 12 months as applicable. You may also include any volunteer work or trade organizations they are a part of. 
  • Leadership and excellence. Describe how the nominee has actively demonstrated excellence and reflected the values of your company. One or two paragraphs recommended.

2. I want to nominate someone, but can I remain anonymous?
No, we need to know who you are in case we need any additional information from you, though we do not share nominator information with any third parties.

3. What is HousingWire’s Rising Stars program?
An annual list of people who have achieved success in a mortgage or housing-related business by 40 years of age.

4. When will HousingWire publish the next class of Rising Stars?
Each class of Rising Stars is published in June.

5. When do nominations begin?
Nominations open in February.

6. What are the qualifications for consideration?
First and foremost, we are looking for professional success. We also are interested in knowing about community service, as well as participation in trade groups, etc. Those chosen must be no older than 40 on the section’s publication date and must work full time within the U.S. housing economy: lending, servicing, investments, or real estate.

7. Who decides who will be make the list of Rising Stars?
A panel of HousingWire’s selection committee members will decide.

8. How can I nominate someone?
Nominations must be submitted online via the link provided above.

9. Why is there a nomination fee?
The nomination fee ensures award winner integrity by making only allowing serious candidates to be nominated, and covers editorial time. It takes a significant amount of time and resources for HousingWire’s editorial team members to organize and successfully determine who will be named to this year’s list.

10. Can I just call you or send you an e-mail with the name of the person I’d like to nominate?

11. I want to nominate my boss, but would it be better if someone higher up nominated him?

12. Does it help if many people nominate the same person?
No, this will not impact a nominee’s chances of receiving a nomination.

13. Will more than one nominee from the same company be accepted?
Yes, you can nominate as many people from the same company as you’d like. Each candidate will be reviewed individually for their merits.

14. I would like to nominate someone, but they will turn 41 before your publication date. Can I still nominate that person?
Unfortunately, nominations for anyone who does not meet the age requirement are not included in the voting process.

15. How does the process work?
After the nomination period closes, the HousingWire selection committee begins an extensive process of reviewing all nominations, evaluating accomplishments and applying industry knowledge to determine the impact each nominee has on their organization and the industry. Following review, the editorial selection committee holds a series of meetings to determine which candidates will be chosen. We strive to select the most impressive and impactful leaders leveraging the nomination information and industry knowledge of organizations, accomplishments and trajectory. The process takes a significant amount of time over a compressed schedule.

16. What is required of those who are selected?
Candidates who are selected must make themselves available for an interview with a HousingWire reporter. They may also be required to make themselves available for a photo shoot.

We don’t provide status reports during the nomination or selection process. If we need any further information, we will contact you.

18. I want to be picked for the Rising Stars program. Will it help to hire a public relations firm?
No. Publicists often submit candidates, but they do not influence the nomination process.

19. I was not picked for Rising Stars. Can you tell me why?
With hundreds of candidates and only a few spots available, many nominations will not be chosen.

Award Materials, Licensing, Permissions, and Reprints


For award logos, permissions, and reprints, please reach out to Lesley Collins.  All winners will now be provided the award logo to use as they wish to promote their win. 

3d rendering of a row of luxury townhouses along a street

Log In

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account? Please