Profile
"West Oak’s success has come from always putting our clients’ best interests first and always finding ways to improve and add more value to them"
Andrew mcquiston,
west oak family office, wellington-altus private wealth
“I’ve held many titles in my life: mom, wife and underwriter, to name a few. In 2021, I added a new one to the list — president and CEO.”
Named a Woman of Influence 2022 by Canadian Mortgage Professional, Marina Bournas has certainly had an exciting career. In 2021, she took the top job at RFA Mortgage Corporation after three years as senior vice president of operations – a career highlight which came after many years of ambition, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit.
“I have climbed the ladder in this industry from the ground up,” Bournas reflects. “My heart and passion have always been in operations and risk, and I’ve thrived in smaller start-up settings where I felt I had the most impact on the business.”
Bournas joined RFA Mortgage Corporation in 2018, a move which she describes as a “leap of faith.” There she built the operations and risk business from scratch, putting together the desks, creating the policies, onboarding investors, and hiring and training employees. When it comes to the success of the business, she believes that creating a strong company culture has been key – and that means putting people first, whether it’s a customer, broker or peer.
Reflecting on her time in the industry, Bournas says that culture, mentorship and hard work have been vital to her personal success in the mortgage industry. She says these elements are particularly important for women who are in the early stages of their career, and even more so for those who are looking for ways to juggle work and family.
“It’s important to align yourself with the right people,” she says.
“Make sure you are working for an organization that supports your growth and provides you with the right tools to develop. I’m lucky to have an incredible support system at RFA that wants to see me succeed.”
“Many young talented women often limit themselves by not taking on a promotion or new project and feel burdened by choosing between work and family,” she explains. “I listened to a very powerful TED Talk on women in leadership, and the concept ‘don’t leave before you leave’ really resonated with me. It means don’t enter the workforce already looking for an exit.”
“I had always wanted a family and a career but underestimated my abilities because, as females, we typically prioritize everyone but ourselves. So, what I would say to my daughter – and any woman – is don’t leave before you leave. You will never know where your hard work can take you. Believe in yourself, negotiate for yourself and own your success.”
In addition to her work in mortgage and finance, Bournas is also an active fundraiser for a number of charitable organizations. She spearheaded RFA’s #Deals4Change initiative, which gives mortgage brokers the chance to contribute while conducting their day-to-day business. So far, the initiative has raised over $450,000 for various charities including the Alzheimer Society, Because I Am a Girl, The BeauYOUtiful Foundation, and the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals.
2401-1 Yonge Street, Toronto ON, M5E 1E5
647 259 7873
marina.bournas@rfamortgages.ca
linkedin.com/company/rfa-mortgages
rfa.ca
Marina Bournas
President and CEO
RFA Mortgage Corporation
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Milestones
2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
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2021
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Year 7 Community Leader and Leader for Learning Technologies and Platforms at Northern Beaches Christian School
Master of Business Administration, 2017–2019
2021
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2010–2015
2016–2017
2018–2021
2021–present
2022
Marina Bournas
President and CEO
RFA Mortgage Corporation
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Milestones
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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2010–2015
2016–2017
2018–2021
2021–present
2022
Marina Bournas
President and CEO
RFA Mortgage Corporation
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
2022
2021–present
2018–2021
2016–2017
2010–2015
2022
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Winner, Media Campaign of the Year (CMP)
Finalist, Woman of Distinction (CMP)
Finalist, Mortgage Finance Company of the Year (MAEs)
Woman of Influence 2022 (CMP)
2022
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2021–present
Human Resources Magazine | key media
President and CEO at RFA Mortgage
2021–present
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2018–2021
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Senior Vice President Operations at RFA Mortgage
2018–2021
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2016–2017
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Team Leader, Credit Operations at Canadiana Financial
2016–2017
1997
2010–2015
human resources | key media
Senior Mortgage Underwriter at Street Capital Financial
2010–2015
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Milestones
2022
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
2022
Excellence awardee – Independent Mortgage Adviser of the Year category at the New Zealand Mortgage Awards
2022
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2022
2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
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2021
Launched his own business,
Ascend Financial Services
2022
2022
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2021
Launched his own business,
Ascend Financial Services
2022