Congratulations to Tela Mathias, PhoenixTeam's Chief Nerd and Mad Scientist & CEO of Phoenix Burst, on being recognized as a HousingWire Vanguard for the second year in a row! The Vanguards honor housing leaders whose vision and expertise are moving markets forward, and Tela is doing exactly that.

Tela is leading the charge in transforming the mortgage technology landscape through innovation, education, and purpose-driven leadership. As the visionary behind Phoenix Burst, a first-of-its-kind generative AI solution, she has transformed how the industry approaches regulatory compliance, streamlining workflows that once spanned weeks into a single day.

Tela is shaping the workforce of the future by pioneering initiatives in GenAI education and dialogue. She launched the AI Mortgage Professional Courses in partnership with MBA Education, equipping mortgage professionals to apply AI practically within their businesses. As a GenAI thought leader, she speaks at industry conferences to share expert insight into the technology’s capabilities and potential, and she leads PhoenixTeam’s public and private sector AI Exchange event, which fosters inclusive conversations about AI’s workforce implications and ensures transformation happens with people, not just to them. Through these efforts, Tela continues to set the standard for leadership and innovation in the housing ecosystem.

Being named a HousingWire Vanguard is a testament to her passion for driving innovation that is accessible, transformative, and deeply human.

Read more about Tela’s work: https://www.housingwire.com/winner-profile/2025-vanguard-tela-mathias/  

Read the Full List:  https://www.housingwire.com/articles/introducing-the-2025-vanguards/  

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