SimpleNexus, a developer and marketer of a homeownership platform for loan officers, borrowers, real estate agents and settlement agents, has named Cathleen Schreiner Gates, the company’s current president, as CEO. She will replace founder Matt Hansen, who will remain highly involved in the firm’s operation as he leads a task force of software developers and sales staff that specializes in tackling high-priority projects.
“SimpleNexus started as a passion project — an app to help my brother-in-law expand his mortgage business — and it has since grown beyond anything I originally imagined,” said Hansen. “Over the past seven years, I’ve had the great pleasure of building a better homebuying experience for consumers and lenders with the help of hundreds of dedicated, passionate professionals.
“Now, by placing the leadership of SimpleNexus into Cathleen’s highly capable hands, I have the opportunity to return to the work that brings me the most joy: focusing on the voice of the customer and rolling up my sleeves to lead projects that translate our users’ needs into reality,” Hansen continued.
“As CEO, Schreiner Gates will guide SimpleNexus to set the bar for what a homeownership platform should be as she leads operations and strategic decision-making,” Hansen said.
Schreiner Gates joined SimpleNexus as a board member in April 2020 and was named president in September 2020. Previously, she served as executive vice president of sales and marketing at digital mortgage technology provider Ellie Mae. During her tenure, Ellie Mae spent six consecutive years on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and negotiated a $3.7 billion purchase by private equity firm Thoma Bravo.
“Early on I recognized that SimpleNexus is more than another technology tool for lenders. Our team’s empathy for our customers and enthusiasm for continuously improving the homebuying process is driving SimpleNexus to develop innovative tools that are fundamentally changing the mortgage experience for the better,” said Schreiner Gates. “I am excited to continue helping SimpleNexus chart its course as a mortgage technology game-changer.”