Fannie Mae names its first chief diversity and inclusion officer
Fannie Mae announced the appointment of attorney and policy expert Sharifa Anderson as senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, a newly created position within the company. Anderson’s appointment comes as Fannie Mae focuses on expanding D&I initiatives and commitments.
“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,” said Hugh Frater, CEO of Fannie Mae, in a press release.
Fannie Mae
For Anderson, the new position marks a return to Washington-based Fannie Mae. Earlier in her career, she worked at the government-sponsored agency as a senior business manager overseeing affordable housing and community development matters. Most recently, Anderson held the role of chief diversity and inclusion officer at Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, and before joining the bank, she worked as a housing attorney at Relman Colfax and at Ballard Spahr. She also previously served in the Office of General Counsel, Finance Division at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
As Fannie Mae’s D&I officer, Anderson will develop initiatives that will bring about increased representation and more inclusive outcomes at the GSE and among its suppliers, partners and the communities it serves. Anderson becomes a member of Fannie Mae’s management committee as well.
“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,” she said.
Among its efforts to increase homeownership for minority and underserved populations, Fannie Mae announced last year that it would begin factoring rent payments when making mortgage decisions. It also will permanently add desktop appraisals to its system starting in March.
In January, its economists revised their 2022 forecast slightly downward due to inflation concerns and said affordability will likely remain an issue for many borrowers. Fannie Mae also warned of undercapitalization at the company in its most recent earnings call.
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