Most people don’t grow up dreaming of working in the mortgage industry. But the career one did not expect turns out to be the one that defines them. For Theresa Sprague it wasn’t love at first sight – but once she got in, she never looked back.
“If you’ve been in the mortgage industry for any length of time, you know this business doesn’t hand anything out. You earn your stripes by showing up—again and again—through market shifts, volume drops, and every curveball the industry throws at you,” shares Theresa Sprague.
That’s how she built her career. Not from a master plan, but by staying committed to learning, listening, and leading from wherever she was planted. Whether it was the front desk of a brokerage or leading national growth strategy, she has always believed in doing the work, knowing the numbers, and never asking someone to do something she hasn’t done herself or willing to do.
Humble Beginnings: A Career Born of Circumstance
From Ground Floor to Executive Level
Theresa Sprague grew up with humble beginning in the city of Detroit, MI. She shares, “My parents did their best and I loved my childhood, but it was not always easy. We had cars stolen, had to take taxis to school, had hand me down clothes and I started working at 14 years old.” Her work ethic was learned from an early age that if she wanted something she had to work hard and save for it, nothing was handed to her.
Theresa Sprague started in this industry with zero background in finance. A friend gave her a shot at a receptionist’s role, and she took it. She paid attention. She asked questions. And she eventually moved through almost every operational seat—from loan assistant to processing to post-close. That’s where she learned how every department fits together, and more importantly, how to lead with clarity and empathy.
Over time, Theresa Sprague moved into growth and recruiting. She discovered that helping the right people land in the right environments—where they can actually thrive—is where her impact is greatest. That became her focus.
Resilience Through the Crash
When the mortgage field experienced a grand failure in 2008, Theresa, too, was obligated to make some adjustments. The friend she used to work with could not afford to support her anymore on the team, and Theresa Sprague practically chose to enter nursing school.
When things stabilized, Theresa Sprague came back—with more clarity and a deeper understanding of what kind of leader she wanted to be.
She spent the following years going even deeper into operations, building systems, and leading through complexity. That experience became the foundation she needed when she moved into national leadership. It taught her how to lead with empathy, stay grounded in reality, and show up for people—especially when things get hard.
Climbing the Ranks: A Journey Through Growth and Development
Theresa Sprague didn’t have natural leadership skills, it was taught and learned with tons of mistakes. She was lucky at that time to have one great mentor who taught her a servant’s mindset about leadership. “He will forever hold a very special place in my heart,” states Theresa.
She believes the best leaders grow through experience, not ego. That’s how she leads today—by staying close to the work, listening more than she talks, and making sure people feel seen, supported, and challenged to grow.
The Power of Relationships
Having done nearly every job in the mortgage business, Theresa Sprague knows one fundamental truth: success in this line of work is based on relationships. Whether among coworkers, branch managers, or customers, a solid relationship creates trust, loyalty, and long-term success. For Theresa Sprague, it has always been about taking care of people—because when you take care of your team, they take care of the clients.
“Growth and development is all based on relationships and listening, you have to stop talking, ask questions so you can help the person find the right path,” says Theresa Sprague. She adds, “If you make it about your goals you will not be help the person find the right path for them.” She further says that if one always does the right thing and focuses on people first, the results will follow.
A Bold Move: Leaving the Familiar Behind
One of the most difficult but redemptive times in Theresa’s life was when she chose to leave the firm she had worked for 15 years. She helped build the organization from the ground up to an over billion-dollar company. She knew every process, every individual, every nook of the company. Yet something had shifted.
She took time to reflect, to listen, and to really ask herself what mattered most. When she looked at what she wanted next, it wasn’t just about title or growth. It was about purpose.
Her unique perspective—knowing the ins and outs of multiple companies through recruiting—allowed her to create a short list of organizations she admired. At the top of that list was Cornerstone First Mortgage, whose growth over the past year had caught her attention.
Why Cornerstone First Mortgage?
Theresa Sprague met with the team at Cornerstone First Mortgage and was impressed right away with what made them different. The culture of the company’s focus on transparency, innovation, and culture resonated with her own beliefs. Taking a leadership position with Cornerstone First Mortgage felt like an organic step in her career.
Here, the leadership team works side-by-side with their teams. There’s a deep respect for the people doing the work. They share knowledge, they collaborate, and they make decisions that reflect the real experiences of those on the front lines.
“From the first meeting, I could feel it. The team at Cornerstone wasn’t just saying the right things—they were living them. Their culture is built on transparency, collaboration, speed, and real-world understanding. Leadership is accessible.” She further adds, “And our owner, Sean Cahan, still originates loans himself. That level of connection to the field changes everything.”
She has found that when one is in a space that values people over ego, everything changes. The work becomes lighter. The energy becomes contagious. And the results follow, not because they’re forced—but because people are thriving.
Creating a Culture of Growth
At Cornerstone First Mortgage, Theresa Sprague plays a key role in encouraging continuous learning and dynamic culture. The company spends money on the latest technology to ensuring they have the top of the line technology and provides a comprehensive set of programs, coaching, and tools to enable operations and sales staff to drive business. They are forward thinking and willing to take risks to ensure they have all the tools to support their teams. In this business you have to be willing to take risks to grow, not all of them will work out but the ones that do can be game changing.
Listening and Learning: Staying Ahead of the Curve
Being proactive, not reactive, is one of Theresa’s core principles. To her, branch managers and loan officers are internal customers whose opinions count a great deal. Since they are on the front lines, they tend to be the first to feel changes in the market. Hearing their input keeps Theresa Sprague and the leadership team nimble and responsive.
Another benefit is the leadership approach of Cornerstone’s owner, Sean Cahan, who still originates loans personally. His on-the-ground experience keeps the leadership team attuned to the conditions of the market. And multiple of his other leaders still originate and are branch managers. Also, every operations manager must carry a full pipeline so they an keep a pulse on the changes in their departments.
Theresa Sprague also keeps up to date by reading industry news, networking during events, and connecting with professionals on social media. For her, every discussion is a learning and development opportunity.
A Unique Approach to Mentorship
Theresa Sprague believes that mentorship is everywhere if you’re paying attention. “Every relationship has something to teach you,” she states. Mentorship ensures that every encounter – whether quick or in depth – can spark growth and insight.
Mentorship can take many forms. Sometimes it’s a deep conversation, sometimes it’s just being there to say “You’ve got this” when someone needs to hear it most. She believes that leadership shouldn’t be exclusive or intimidating—it should be accessible, encouraging, and rooted in kindness.
Finding Fulfilment in the Wins of Others
Theresa measures her success by her team’s achievements. If a branch manager or loan officer comes to Cornerstone First and begins to meet—and beat—their numbers, that’s the best part of her job. It’s a reminder for Theresa Sprague that she’s dedicated her career to helping other people succeed in a competitive market.
Her biggest thrill isn’t personal recognition but watching others succeed. That’s when she knows what she does makes a difference.
Driving Growth with Vision & Integrity
For Theresa, growth is not just a matter of numbers—it’s a people matter. The journey starts with honest conversations, knowing candidates’ dreams and aspirations, and providing a platform where their ambitions are valued. She underlines honesty and transparency during the hiring process since changing jobs is not a career move—it’s a life move.
Theresa’s mission is never to push candidates but to elevate them. If they can create an environment where they can grow, the fit will take care of itself.
According to Theresa, a career move isn’t just a professional decision. It’s a life move. That’s why she approaches every conversation with transparency. She opines, “I’m not here to “sell” anyone. I’m here to ask the right questions—and help people make the decision that’s right for them”.
Vision for the Future: Growth with Purpose
Theresa’s vision for Cornerstone First Mortgage is one of courage and inspiration. Operating in 49 states + Puerto Rico, the mission is to bring on branch managers and loan officers who wish to regain the excitement of mortgage lending. Having weathered some tough years in the business, Cornerstone First provides a chance to have fun, be part of a collaborative culture, and win together.
The emphasis is on overall success—enabling each member of the team, from operations to sales, to achieve their full potential. Theresa trusts in enabling loan officers to operate their businesses in the manner that best suits them, with support, transparency, and flexibility.
According to Theresa, it’s not just about growth, it’s about building a company where people feel valued, supported and excited to do what they love. She says, “This industry has had a tough few years, but with the right platform, you can win and love your work again.”
She has also been able to reconnect with something that mattered deeply to her—supporting other women in the industry. At her last company, Theresa founded “Ladies in Lending,” a community for women to connect, collaborate, and lead. When she left, she had to let it go. But the mission stayed with her. Cornerstone has created a space where that energy and advocacy can thrive again and is looking to launch something new to help support all the women in mortgages.
Life Beyond Leadership
Outside of her professional role, Theresa’s life is deeply anchored in family. She is married to Jason, a top-producing branch manager at Cornerstone, and together they are raising three remarkable young men- Hayden, Owen, and Brett. Their household thrives on the energy of both business and racing, often spending weekends at tracks across the country.
For Theresa, family is more than a personal priority; it is also a source of insight and purpose. Being married to a loan officer allows her to hear firsthand what professionals in the field need, strengthening her ability to lead with perspective and empathy. At the same time, raising three boys keeps her grounded and constantly on her toes.
She often says her sons are one of her biggest “whys” for working so hard. Theresa wants them to witness the same work ethic instilled in her as a child: that success is not given, but earned through resilience, dedication, and integrity. In balancing family life with her demanding career, she models the very values she champions in leadership- commitment, authenticity, and perseverance. “They are my world and without their support I couldn’t do the job every day,” she reflects.
A Career Built on Passion and Purpose
With more than two decades as a mortgage industry professional—and nearly(over) a decade focusing exclusively on recruitment—Theresa has created an impressive and highly fulfilling career path. From beginning at the front desk to assuming national leadership positions, her trajectory is one of perseverance, self-education, and evolution.
What gets her going is not the adrenaline rush of profitable achievement, it is the chance to build real connections, assist individuals in finding where they belong, and create something that will truly endure.
An Inspirational Journey
Theresa’s own journey is evidence that the way to leadership is not necessarily direct or conventional. What’s most important is integrity, passion, and a people-first philosophy. At a time when the mortgage business is changing at lightning speed, Theresa is a steady, inspiring presence for expansion—and a reminder that achievement is not so much about what you know as about how you elevate others in the process.
To learn more about Cornerstone First Mortgage and explore career opportunities, visit www.cfmtg.com or careers.cfmtg.com.
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