Debbie Hoffman, Director of the P. Kelly Tompkins Leadership and Law Center, was recognized as an inaugural nominee for the Mortgage Bankers Association’s mPower Visionary Awards at the mPowering You Summit on October 10 in Chicago. The new awards celebrate leadership, impact, and the power of women supporting women in the mortgage banking industry. 

The nominees were recognized during mPowering You, MBA’s Summit for Women in Real Estate Finance, held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in conjunction with MBA Annual 2026. The Summit brought together women from across the industry for programming focused on leadership, professional development, connection, and advancement. 

Hoffman has maintained a longstanding connection to the mortgage banking industry throughout her legal and academic career. At Cleveland State, she helped bring the Mortgage Banking Bound program to the University in partnership with MBA and CSU’s Monte Ahuja College of Business. She continues to teach in the program, which connects students directly with industry professionals and introduces them to the business, legal, regulatory, and operational aspects of residential mortgage banking.

While in Chicago, Hoffman also participated in MBA Annual and met with industry leaders to continue developing opportunities for collaboration and engagement with Cleveland State students.