Written by Sophia Cen
I’ve always been fascinated by the real estate industry. Even when my early career path took me into investment banking, I knew I’d eventually find a way back to real estate in a more hands-on, problem-solving capacity.
When I was an investment banking analyst at Evercore, I was immersed in financial modeling, deal execution, and learning the operational realities of running a business. But over time, I realized I wanted to move beyond advising and into building. I wanted to be closer to the problems—and the solutions.
That pull led me to my first mortgage tech startup, Tomo Mortgage. There, I saw firsthand how broken and outdated much of the mortgage process still is. It’s a complex system. One that remains heavily human-driven, inefficient, and error-prone compared to other industries that have embraced modern technology.
While I loved my time at Tomo, I knew I wanted to move my work closer to New York City. As soon as I began searching, the Valon team impressed me from the start. I saw a group of people who shared a vision of fundamentally transforming mortgage servicing and lending for homeowners.
One of the things I appreciate most here is how collaborative everything is. Whether you’re in BizOps, Product, Operations, or Marketing, every project requires partnership across teams. That dynamic keeps the work engaging and reminds us that our collective effort drives impact.
I also think this environment rewards people with a bias for action who stay anchored to the bigger picture. We move quickly since there’s always another opportunity or challenge around the corner, but we also make sure our roadmaps and priorities align with Valon’s long-term vision.
Looking ahead, I’m incredibly excited about where we’re going next. We believe the software we’ve built is unmatched in its ability to deliver a better experience for both servicers and homeowners. Valon is well-positioned to become a key market player in mortgage servicing and beyond.
The industry itself is at an inflection point. The future of mortgage will be shaped by technology and AI, and there’s so much room to automate, streamline, and ultimately make homeownership simpler and more accessible. It’s inspiring to see so many innovative startups tackling different parts of the value chain, and knowing that we’re part of that wave of change.
If you’re thinking about joining Valon, there’s never been a more exciting time. Over the next five years, I see enormous opportunities for Valon. We’re aiming to become the largest mortgage servicer and software provider, the preferred lender for the homeowners we serve, and eventually an all-in-one homeownership platform that extends into insurance, credit, and real estate services. It’s a unique moment to get involved, learn quickly, and help shape the future of this industry.
And if you’re worried you don’t have mortgage experience, don’t be. Most people here didn’t before they joined. What matters most is curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to tackle complex problems head-on.
If you’re interested in becoming part of Valon’s team check out our open career opportunities.
