Inside Fortra Conference 2026: Where Structure, Strategy, and Relationships Defined the Industry Conversation

April 8, 2026.

At a time when private lending continues to evolve beyond pricing and into execution, structure, and capital strategy, the Fortra Conference delivered something increasingly rare in the industry: clarity.

More than just a sequence of sessions, the event was intentionally structured around two distinct formats—Education Sessions and Panels—creating a clear separation between practical execution and strategic thinking. The result was a conference that not only informed, but guided how professionals should operate moving forward.

Where the Real Conversations Started: Networking Events

Before diving into content, the conference made one thing clear: relationships still drive this industry.

Women in Private Lending Cocktail Event

📍The Chandelier Bar

Hosted under the Women in Private Lending (WPL) initiative, this event brought together a strong network of female leaders and professionals in a more intimate and focused setting. The environment encouraged genuine conversations beyond transactional networking, reinforcing the growing importance of diverse leadership within private lending.

Welcome Reception

📍 Boulevard Pool – The Cosmopolitan
Hosted by The Mortgage Office & RCN Capital

Set against the backdrop of the Las Vegas skyline, the main reception served as the central networking hub of the event. With key players from across the industry in attendance—lenders, brokers, service providers, and capital partners—the focus was clear: deal flow starts with relationships, not spreadsheets.

Education Sessions: Execution, Risk, and Real-World Application

The Education track focused on what matters when deals become complex: legal structure, servicing decisions, and operational execution.

From Default to Recovery: Playing Offense with Foreclosures, Even When the Borrower Files Bankruptcy

This session, featuring Mitch Willet, David Weiner, Mark Granger, and Fortra Law attorneys Steven Ernest, Esq. and Marina Fineman, Esq., explored how lenders can shift from a reactive to a proactive stance in distressed situations, particularly when bankruptcy is involved. The discussion emphasized legal positioning, timing, and strategic foreclosure management as critical components in protecting capital and maximizing recovery—with Steven Ernest bringing particular depth around structuring strategies and navigating complex enforcement scenarios.

To Insource or Outsource? The Real Costs, Risks, and Rewards of Loan Servicing

This session, featuring Nathan Goodhart (The Mortgage Office), Jeff LaMotte (Val-Chris Investments), Enrique Flores (Servicing Pros Inc.), and Jennifer Young, Esq. (Fortra Law), addressed one of the most operationally significant decisions lenders face today. The panel broke down the trade-offs between control and scalability, highlighting how servicing strategy directly impacts performance, borrower experience, and long-term portfolio value.

Why Partnerships Matter: Broker – Lender Best Practices from Application to Funding

This session, featuring Brock Vandenberg (TaliMar Financial), Jeremy Altervain (Vault Financial Services), Sarah Downey (LoanBidz), Benn Jackson (Constructive Capital), and Melissa Martorella, Esq. (Fortra Law), focused on alignment between brokers and lenders. The key takeaway: efficient execution is no longer just about speed, but about clarity, communication, and structured collaboration throughout the deal lifecycle.

Ask Me Anything (AMA): Your Private Lending Legal Questions Answered

This open-format session, led by Kevin Kim, Esq., Melissa Martorella, Esq., and Steven Ernest, Esq. of Fortra Law, addressed real-world legal challenges facing lenders today. From compliance nuances to deal structuring risks, the discussion reinforced the importance of having legal frameworks that support—not slow down—execution.

Panels: Capital, Market Direction, and Strategic Positioning

While Education Sessions focused on execution, the Panels shifted the conversation toward where the market is heading—and how to position for it.

The Use of Institutional Capital: Building a Business Investors Want

This panel, featuring Mark Jury (Enterprise Bank & Trust), Glenn Tatham (Churchill Real Estate), Ryan Sailor (Diya Finance), and Eric Abramovich (ROC Capital), explored what institutional capital is truly looking for today. Beyond returns, consistency, governance, and scalability emerged as the defining factors in building a platform that attracts long-term investment.

The Data-Driven Lender: Market Insights, Economic Forces & the New Role of AI

Rick Sharga and Nema Daghbandan provided a sharp look into how data and technology are reshaping decision-making in lending. The conversation highlighted the growing role of AI not as a replacement, but as an enhancement to underwriting, risk assessment, and operational efficiency.

State of Private Lending: National Market Trends & Economic Outlook

This panel, featuring Evan Stone (Champions Funding LLC), Ben Fertig (Constructive Capital), Charles Goodwin (Kiavi), and James Gaskin (Renovo Financial), offered a comprehensive view of the current lending landscape. Key themes included tightening credit conditions, disciplined growth, and the increasing importance of execution over aggressive pricing strategies.

From the Real Estate Investor’s Perspective: How Investors Evaluate Deals and Partner with Lenders

This panel, featuring Huy Do (PrideCo Capital), Josh Stech (Sundae), Paul Williamson (True Legacy Homes), Mehdi Amini (United Legacy), and Sharon Mittelman (Real Estate Investor & Operator), shifted the lens to the borrower side. The discussion reinforced a critical point: investors value reliability and partnership as much as terms, making lender consistency a key competitive advantage.

Keynote: A Market in Transition

Housing Market: A Path to Normalization – Selma Hepp (Cotality)

Closing the core sessions, Selma Hepp delivered a data-driven outlook on the housing market, pointing toward a gradual normalization shaped by macroeconomic pressures, supply constraints, and evolving borrower behavior. The message was clear: the market is not slowing—it is recalibrating.

Final Takeaway

The Fortra Conference was not just about content—it was about structure.

By clearly separating:

• Execution (Education Sessions)
• Strategy (Panels)

The event mirrored the exact shift happening in private lending today.

Because in this market, success is no longer defined by who offers the best rate—but by who can execute, adapt, and build relationships at scale.