In the Limelight: Marilyn Pennebaker

WHO:

Marilyn Pennebaker
Director / Servicing Manager
Real Estate Capital Markets

WHAT:

Connect CRE’s Women in Real Estate Awards are held annually and honor the achievements and inspirational stories of women who have reached respected leadership positions and taken on mentorship roles. Director and Servicing Manager Marilyn Pennebaker is one of those women.

Pennebaker was one of only 11 women selected to receive the 2025 award in the National category, with Connect CRE highlighting two things that stand out about her – her oversight of a 24-person multilingual team based in multiple states and her recent assistance in transitioning 239 multifamily loans from outsourced to in-house servicing.

WHY:

Pennebaker manages servicing activities for Regions Real Estate Capital Markets, which lends to multifamily and senior housing community owners across the country. The 2,000-loan servicing portfolio that she and her team manage includes Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loans (Regions is an approved lender partner to both agencies) that financed or refinanced multifamily, affordable housing, workforce housing, senior housing, student housing, manufactured home communities and credit facilities.

Pennebaker is credited with helping to build the servicing department from two to 24 members, and her team notably acts as the borrower’s single-point-of-contact throughout the life of the loan, after it has been funded. In addition to managing the loan portfolio, Pennebaker actively mentors her team members, providing guidance for improved job performance, readiness for added responsibility and, ultimately, acceleration into more senior roles.

Among the many team member testimonials that speak to Pennebaker’s leadership qualities, one colleague recently shared, “Marilyn is a seasoned professional with over 25 years in the industry, has consistently been dedicated to her staff, provides strong leadership within the company and has been integral in building the servicing department up to where it is today. She leads several groups in the department ranging from tax/insurance, customer care, loan boarding and payment posting, and consistently provides guidance and mentorship. She was also crucial to bringing on the Agency platforms and obtaining and maintaining high servicing ratings.”

Pennebaker lives in Southern California and is passionate about and supports the City of Hope, Children’s Cure for Cancer, and MaeDay Rescue charities.

IN HER WORDS:

Says Pennebaker: “My dedication to the borrower’s experience centers on clear communication, proactive support and long-term relationship building. Through servicing, I prioritize transparency, so borrowers always understand their options and obligations. I make it a point to anticipate needs, whether that’s providing timely updates or explaining complex terms in plain language. I view every interaction as an opportunity to build trust and ensure the borrower feels supported throughout the entire life of the loan. What excites me most is building a culture of accountability and empathy, where we treat every borrower as a valued partner.”

What excites me most is building a culture of accountability and empathy, where we treat every borrower as a valued partner.
Marilyn Pennebaker, Director / Servicing Manager Real Estate Capital Markets