Michelle L. Hedger has found much success as a senior technology and innovation leader with more than two decades of experience driving transformation in the mortgage finance industry. Since 2026, she has excelled as senior vice president of enterprise technology and innovation at Independence Home Loans LLC, where she sets the company’s technology strategy, collaborates closely with the chief executive officer on organizational direction, develops a comprehensive technology roadmap aligned to that vision and oversees its execution day to day. In this capacity, Mrs. Hedger leverages her expertise in understanding business problems and solving them through technology, championing modernization initiatives and guiding high-performing teams through periods of rapid growth and change.
Prior to joining Independence Home Loans LLC, Mrs. Hedger worked as the director of software engineering at CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC in Cleveland from 2022 to 2026. During this period of significant expansion for the company, she led a team focused on optimizing the loan origination system and automating operational processes. Her leadership contributed to building proprietary applications that helped propel CrossCountry Mortgage from the fifth-largest retail lender to the largest in the country by the time of her departure. She was especially notable for her ability to balance speed and agility with structure and accountability, always keeping customer outcomes at the forefront.
From 2021 to 2022, Mrs. Hedger managed mortgage systems and applications at myCUmortgage, LLC in the Dayton metropolitan area. During this time, she was responsible for overseeing loan origination and servicing systems, managing the data warehouse and leading broader technology infrastructure projects. Her tenure included implementing robotic process automation and early artificial intelligence tools to streamline operations.
Between 2018 and 2021, Mrs. Hedger was active as mortgage servicing systems manager for myCUmortgage, LLC. She played a pivotal role in managing servicing platforms and ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory requirements. From 2017 to 2021, she also served as a CUSO servicing compliance specialist for myCUmortgage, LLC, combining regulatory compliance responsibilities with general counsel-style duties. In 2017, Mrs. Hedger was recruited by myCUmortgage as a CUSO mortgage servicing auditor in Beavercreek, focusing on auditing practices within mortgage servicing operations.
In 2003, Mrs. Hedger began her career at National City Mortgage, which was later acquired by PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., where she spent nearly fourteen years advancing from underwriter to operations manager and assistant vice president. Initially handling wholesale, retail and correspondent loans as an underwriter, she transitioned into default servicing during the market collapse of 2008. Recognizing her analytical strengths, supervisors quickly moved her into reporting roles where she discovered a passion for using technology to solve business challenges. Motivated by inefficiencies in manual processes during a period when nearly forty percent of mortgages were in default nationwide, Mrs. Hedger obtained her Six Sigma Black Belt certification to focus on process improvement.
Around 2011, Mrs. Hedger committed herself fully to building technology solutions within mortgage servicing. When new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations required sweeping implementation by 2013, she entered into an informal mentorship with a solution architect at PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., trading business expertise for technical knowledge. Over 90 days, they developed automated applications that enabled compliance without increasing staff — an achievement that solidified her transition into technology leadership.
Among Mrs. Hedger’s most significant accomplishments was co-developing a loss mitigation decision engine between 2015 and 2016 that automated borrower evaluations for modifications, forbearance or repayment plans according to investor guidelines from entities such as FHA, VA and Freddie Mac. This innovation replaced manual processes previously performed by teams of underwriters and was initially met with skepticism by executives who doubted its feasibility. Ultimately winning investor approval and delivering measurable benefits for both bank and borrowers, this project remains one of Mrs. Hedger’s proudest professional achievements.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Hedger has been recognized for architecting forward-thinking solutions and modernizing legacy systems across loan operations, point-of-sale platforms and servicing systems. She is known for championing robotic process automation and artificial intelligence adoption to deliver measurable business value while empowering teams through shared strategic vision and disciplined solution delivery.
Mrs. Hedger’s professional journey has been shaped by active membership in organizations such as the Mortgage Bankers Association. She credits mentorship as a vital stabilizing force throughout her career alongside her own strong work ethic and high standards for herself and those around her. She believes integrity is fundamental to leadership, guiding decision-making both professionally and personally. Likewise, she emphasizes uplifting others through empowerment rather than replacement when implementing automation.
Mrs. Hedger’s academic background includes graduating with a Bachelor of Science in forensics from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2002. Her academic training in crime scene investigation honed her analytical thinking and attention to detail, skills that proved invaluable as she navigated complex regulatory environments and drove technological transformation within mortgage finance organizations.
Beyond her primary responsibilities, Mrs. Hedger has demonstrated deep civic commitment through volunteer work on annual mission trips supporting the construction of churches and dental care facilities as well as food security and clean water initiatives in Tegucigalpa, Honduras from 2014 to 2018. These two-week trips each January left an indelible mark on her worldview by exposing her firsthand to global poverty— an experience she describes as transformative both personally and professionally. She has also contributed to those in need locally through community service efforts.
In recognition of her outstanding performance during her tenure at PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., Mrs. Hedger was presented with the prestigious PNC Performance Award in 2014, the company’s highest employee honor awarded annually to only a select few individuals. She attributes much of her success to mentors who provided guidance during critical junctures along with lessons learned from overcoming adversity with composure. Her primary motivation stems from an intolerance for inefficiency coupled with a desire to build what does not yet exist, as she always keeps end users’ experiences central to every solution delivered.
Mrs. Hedger is preparing to publish an article on context engineering reflecting current interests in artificial intelligence and emphasizing how information delivery shapes effective use of AI systems. A lifelong learner at heart, she aspires to master piano playing while continuing to mentor others within the industry. Looking ahead, she remains dedicated to giving back through developing innovative technology solutions that improve borrower experiences across operations and servicing using artificial intelligence prototypes already underway.