The mortgage industry doesn't need more information...it needs better decisions. For more than three decades, I've helped mortgage professionals make sense of market volatility, interest rates, and economic trends so they can serve clients with confidence and grow their businesses.

Today, as a Founder and CRO of Tabrasa, my mission is to combine trusted market intelligence with practical technology that helps loan officers and lenders stay connected with homeowners, strengthen relationships, and create more opportunities. Whether it's using AI to work smarter, leveraging home equity insights, creating impactful video content, or understanding what's driving mortgage rates, I believe technology should simplify the business - not complicate it.

Throughout my career, I've been passionate about translating complex market data into clear, actionable insights. Through the Mortgage Market Guide, speaking engagements, webinars, articles, and daily market commentary, I've helped thousands of mortgage professionals better understand the forces shaping our industry and prepare for what's next.

William Kooper is Vice President of State Government Affairs and Industry Relations at the Mortgage Bankers Association and in that capacity leads MBA's team responsible for advocacy efforts at the state and local levels, the MBA State Advocacy Fund, and MBA's engagement with mortgage banking associations across the country. William developed the State Relations Initiative -- MBA's innovative program to partner with state associations to align business development, communications and advocacy interests. A frequent speaker to MBA’s state and local partners, William also serves as MBA’s representative on the Corporate Board of Governors of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP).

William joined MBA in January 2001 as Director of Government Affairs, and he has since served in a variety of roles assisting MBA members. Before leading the state program, he was Associate Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs where he directed MBA's nationwide grassroots advocacy program, the Mortgage Action Alliance. and the planning and execution of MBA's National Advocacy Conference. He also served as staff to MBA's political action committee, MORPAC.

I've spoken to nearly 1 million people, and 90% of my events are rebookings from planners and companies who've had me back again. Clients like GE, Truist, Ecolab, FHLBank Chicago, and PennyMac have brought me in to deliver content that's interactive, quick-witted, and fast-paced — every presentation is customized to the audience, not recycled from a deck.

I draw on a career that's given me a genuinely unusual toolkit: courtroom litigation attorney, account executive and business manager, negotiations and sales trainer, Six Sigma Black Belt, DJ, and father. That range is what lets me connect authentically with any room, whether I'm speaking to salespeople, operations teams, or senior leadership.

Beyond keynotes and workshops, I'm an adjunct faculty member of the Shapiro Negotiations Institute, a DiSC-certified trainer, and I've taught at the graduate and post-graduate levels.

Shari Black is the executive director/chief executive officer of one of the largest fairs in the U.S. and the third largest of the Midwestern “Heartland” fairs – Wisconsin State Fair. Prior to serving in the interim role, Black rose through the ranks at State Fair Park since joining the team in 2016 as Event Services Director. Black initially oversaw sales and contracting of non-fair event rentals, including many long-standing events and new events she was instrumental in securing. By 2019, Black assumed the role of Chief Programming Officer, an executive leadership position overseeing Spin City, the fair's massive independent midway, with attractions, competitive exhibits, entertainment, and vendor services. She previously worked for for the Waukesha County Fair Association for nearly 20 years, including 15 years as Executive Director.
 
In addition, Black served as the board president of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs, which represents 75 district and county fairs in Wisconsin.  She currently sits on the board of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association and the Advisory Committee of the National Independent Concessionaires Association.