Embrace Employee Spotlight: Dana Elliott and Marie Ramirez Romero
There’s a lot to love about Embrace Home Loans, but one of our strongest assets has always been our employees. We have teammates who have been with us for 10, 20, even 30+ years. And we’ve also been hiring new employees at a furious pace recently — new employees that many of us haven’t met yet as we continue to work remotely during the pandemic.
In this Employee Spotlight, we’ll be featuring two Embrace teammates — one new employee, and one employee who has already been with us for a while. Each will give different perspectives on the Embrace experience and a little more personal info so you’ll be able to get to know them better.
Want to nominate someone to feature in a future spotlight? Email Mary Mack at [email protected]
MARIE RAMIREZ ROMERO, Closing Officer
What is your official title and what do you do at Embrace?
I’m a closing officer. My duty is to ensure that all the information and fees listed on our Closing Disclosures are accurate for our borrower to sign/approve prior to the closing date.
What made you want to work at Embrace?
When I was a Year Up student, we received a presentation from Embrace. During that presentation, there was a heavy emphasis on building a more diverse company culture and I gravitated towards that. In addition, I had a million questions and they were welcomed and answered gracefully, which I loved.
How has it been starting a new job during COVID? And just working for Embrace in general?
Starting a new job during COVID has not affected my life any differently than if I had started a new job outside of COVID. Working for Embrace during COVID has been pretty good and I really love working for Embrace in general!
What did you do for a living before you came to Embrace?
Prior to Embrace Home Loans, I used to work in the marine industry as a Shipyard Coordinator. Among many other things, my primary duties were to recruit, hire, and assign tradesmen to different shipbuilding jobs throughout the country, with a focus from ME to Southern PA.
We’d love to get to know you a little better! Tell us about yourself.
I’m Dominican, and my family and I moved to Providence, RI from PR in 2007. I moved to NJ in 2012 and returned to RI in 2015, where I currently reside. I went to several institutions for higher education, among them Rutgers University and Johnson & Wales.
My hobbies/interests include reading, astrology, traveling, watching Drunk History, and American Sign Language (ASL.) In the past, I have taken a few ASL courses and plan to recommit to ASL as soon as in-person classes are a thing again. I have a pretty dark sense of humor — for example, have you ever thought that every year you live through your death anniversary? LOL.
My life motto: What’s the worst that could happen?
DANA ELLIOTT, Regional Marketing Specialist, Events & Special Projects
What is your official title and what do you do at Embrace?
It’s a long one — Regional Marketing Specialist, Events & Special Projects. Primarily I help the Loan Officers with events, sponsorships, marketing collateral, and anything else they may need.
How long have you worked for Embrace?
I hit the seven-year mark in April.
What made you want to work at Embrace?
I honestly didn’t know a whole lot about Embrace when I applied. I was working for a newspaper (not a booming industry!) and knew it was time to look for something else. I’ve stayed at Embrace for the people, the community involvement, and company values.
What’s one of your favorite Embrace memories?
I’m going to go with the large Catalyst event we had at the Marriott a few years ago. Everyone was high energy and excited to all be together. It was a lot of fun!
How has it been working from home for most of this year? Has Embrace made it easier for you in any way?
I actually haven’t worked from home much! I was only home for a couple weeks then was back at the office most days. I am the opposite of a homebody so I welcomed the change of scenery every day, even if I was the only one in my area.
We’d love to get to know you a little better! Tell us about yourself.
I went to Salve Regina University and still live in Newport, RI. Before 2020 happened I was most passionate about traveling. I love visiting new places and meeting people from all over the world. If I’m not visiting new countries (25 down, 170 to go!), I’m traveling for all things 90s pop culture! I spent many weekends flying to California for Fuller House tapings, saw *NSYNC get their Hollywood Walk of Fame Star and checked out the Saved by the Bell and 90210 pop-up restaurants. I even went out to London for the Spice Girls Reunion tour!
Other than traveling, I just try to keep busy. I babysit, dog walk, and like to help out others when I can. Newport is a great community and a great place to just wander around, people watch, and enjoy an outdoor cocktail in the summer!
