Fannie Mae names first chief diversity and inclusion officer

Fannie Mae CEO Hugh Frater said that Anderson will also “play an important role in helping us achieve our strategic priorities as we work with industry partners to foster greater representation of people of color and women throughout the housing industry.”

“Creating this role is a meaningful milestone on our diversity and inclusion journey, and Sharifa’s impressive background and expertise in fair lending, affordable housing, and public policy make her well-suited to lead Fannie Mae’s D&I programs and Office of Minority and Woman Inclusion,” Frater noted.

The housing industry veteran came to Fannie Mae from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, where she held a similar role. Before that, Anderson worked as an attorney at Relman Colfax in Fair Lending Counseling and Compliance, at Ballard Spahr in Public Finance and Housing, and in the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Office of General Counsel, Finance Division. Earlier in her career, she served as senior business manager at Fannie Mae for more than four years.

“I was proud to work at Fannie Mae early in my career journey, and I am honored and energized to be returning to the company during this pivotal time in the housing industry. I look forward to working alongside Fannie Mae’s leadership team to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce and a housing industry that shares Fannie Mae’s mission to facilitate equitable and sustainable access to homeownership and rental housing across the country,” Anderson said.