Pennymac Tech prefers a “no-door policy.”
“Our leadership team sits on the floor with all of the team and encourages everyone to bring their fresh ideas to the table,” said Managing Director of Technology Administration Peter Ansaldi.
At Pennymac Tech, team members have access to opportunity — the opportunity to drive major initiatives, find a community among peers and gain support to pursue professional goals. According to Ansaldi, these elements tie into the division’s commitment to upholding a people-first culture, which is critical to creating cohesion across all teams.
“We put a great focus on our people because we want our teams to build each other up,” Ansaldi said.
This internal support takes many different forms, from optimizing applications to honoring an outstanding team member. When combined, these efforts foster a workplace that keeps everyone, including Vice President of App Development Mary Lindequist, engaged and optimistic.
“The energy in the office is palpable, and something I look forward to every day,” Lindequist said. “I’m incredibly fortunate to be a part of such dynamic and engaging teams.”
“Greatness Lives Here,” is more than a catchy phrase printed across an office wall; it’s a reflection of the type of culture cultivated within the company. According to First Vice President of Release Train Engineering Swapna Nadkarni, the tech division encourages its people to pursue greatness by enabling them to build connections with each other and their communities.
“These efforts are designed meticulously to nurture and propel employee growth and development while further shaping the company's culture in line with its evolving objectives,” she said.
Pennymac Tech promotes a people-first culture that’s impactful for both its team members and those they serve. Team members are given the resources and support they need to thrive, while helping others do the same.
‘THE FOUNDATION OF HOMEOWNERSHIP’
Pennymac is guided by its mission to “build the foundation of homeownership by enabling Americans to achieve and sustain their aspirations of home.” The company’s technological solutions help prospective buyers across the nation purchase a home, refinance their property, estimate the value of their home and more.
Organic Yet Intentional
While every company culture manifests organically, Ansaldi said, some intervention helps to ensure the tech culture is “sustainable and connects to the larger corporate culture.”
So what does this cultural intervention look like for Pennymac’s tech division? According to Ansaldi, it starts with a setting that doesn’t discourage having fun.
With team members located across the country, the division finds creative ways to bring its people together in person and remotely — through barbecues and online gaming tournaments, for example.
“This keeps us connected and creates a sense of camaraderie, enabling us to get to know each other better on a personal level,” Lindequist said.
When it comes to driving these initiatives, the divisional leaders strive to do their part by ensuring employees can share their voices and receive the recognition they deserve. For example, Lindequist shared that senior leaders consistently meet with several different teams in person to discuss company news, acknowledge hard work and enjoy breakfast with everyone.
Aside from celebrating wins and taking time out of the workday to connect, there are also ways for employees to build their professional acumen. To promote a focus on learning, Ansaldi said, the division offers monthly lunch and learns, knowledge-sharing sessions and a mentorship program, the latter of which has proven highly beneficial for many people, including Nadkarni.
Nadkarni, who took part in the program as both a mentee and mentor, enjoyed having the chance to soak up valuable information before sharing that same wisdom with someone else.
“It’s like a win-win game of skill-sharing and development, wrapped up in a people-centric package,” she said.
Support in Action
At Pennymac Tech, nurturing a supportive employee culture involves leaders who actively work alongside their team members.
When Nadkarni’s team was tackling a time-sensitive project, divisional leaders stepped in to proactively address and resolve any issues that arose.
“They were present in the office working alongside the team, proactively addressing and resolving any impediments that came up.” Nadkarni said.
According to Lindequist, this level of teamwork is an element of their people-first culture that plays out continuously across the division. For instance, Lindequist and her peers recently delivered a vital optimization to one of their applications in a short timeframe to improve system performance.
“The delivery was only made possible through strong partnerships across multiple teams who prioritized our change,” Lindequist explained. “This accomplishment resulted from effective collaboration, strong communication and a deep sense of commitment among team members who genuinely valued and supported each other.”
This emphasis on value is reflected in the ways team members are recognized for their hard work. For instance, when one of the company’s tech experts accomplished critical work in a short amount of time, Lindequist and her teammates took time to ensure he knew they were grateful for his impact on the company.
In Ansaldi’s mind, efforts to support and celebrate each other have an immense impact on making Pennymac Tech a highly sought-after workplace.
“People choose to work here not only because they find their roles fulfilling, but also because the atmosphere is enjoyable and the team is great to be around,” Ansaldi said.
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
To cultivate a people-first culture, Pennymac Tech must find the right individuals to bring it to life. That’s why there are certain questions that Nadkarni asks during the interview process, such as, “What are your expectations from your team and leadership?” She explained, “By asking this question, I gain insight into their interpersonal skills, ability to collaborate and how they perceive their role within the team dynamic.”
Ansaldi has his own set of preferred questions, which includes, “Give us an example that showcases your work ethic.” Because while employees have fun, they also often handle high-stakes projects. “Even though we greatly value a work-life balance, our team works hard, and we need people who can join our flow,” Ansaldi said. “We never lose sight of the mission despite our desire to create a culture that people want to be a part of.”
Driving Change Internally — and Beyond
Pennymac Tech is intentional about cultivating community. So much so, that the division has various initiatives dedicated to championing — and connecting — its people.
Through the company’s employee recognition program, Nadkarni shared that team members can shine a spotlight on those whom they consider top performers, giving them the chance to be celebrated by the wider organization.
“This program boosts morale and fuels the fire of motivation, inspiring our employees to reach new heights in their roles,” Nadkarni said.
Additionally, Pennymac’s Business Resource Groups offer employees the opportunity to build connections with their peers based on common interests and experiences. These BRGs — which include wEMRG: Women Empowering Mentorships, Relationships and Growth, InspirASIAN and Women in Technology or WIT — have had a deep impact on team members, including Nadkarni, who considers them “bridges connecting like-minded souls.”
“Joining these groups was like stepping into a world of shared interests where I connected with fellow members, absorbed their experiences, leveled up my skills and expanded my professional network,” Nadkarni said.
“Joining these groups was like stepping into a world of shared interests.”
While Pennymac’s employees have many chances to connect with each other, they also have ample opportunities to bond with their communities. The company’s Corporate Philanthropy Program partners with various nonprofits, such as Habitat for Humanity, enabling team members to support underserved and under-resourced communities. Nadkarni added that the company also matches employee contributions to local and national charities.
Whether they’re tackling a high-priority project or attending a charitable event, team members at Pennymac are all united by a shared desire to drive change on a personal and professional level. And for Ansaldi, these elements reflect an overarching truth about the organization; one that can be felt by anyone who joins their ranks.
“At Pennymac, it’s not just about getting the job done; it’s about fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture,” he said.
