Fairway Independent Mortgage, headquartered in Madison’s American Center Business Park, has won Top Workplaces recognition in all six years of the program. With 238 Madison employees and more than 5,500 nationwide, the firm makes workplace culture a driving force in its success.
Core values are woven into the fabric of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, enabling employees to embrace its mission and advance its success.
Even as mortgage rates have inched up — along with anxiety about real estate markets — Fairway’s employees have rallied around those values, said Julie Fry, the company’s chief people and engagement officer.
“We talk about our core values every day,” she said. “We have 10 core values, and one of them is always being addressed in some form or fashion throughout our communications.”
Those values include such things as “humility first,” “speed to respond,” “have fun,” “seek wise counsel,” and “consistent, honest communication.” Fry said communication is critical because the firm has 283 employees at its Madison headquarters and more than 5,500 nationally.
“We’re very transparent in our communication,” Fry said. “We have weekly calls for our executive team to understand what the trials are for that week, where we are in the market, and we try to make sure everyone understands the business we’re in. From there, our leadership team cascades that messaging down to their teams.”
The company, which has been recognized in all six years of the Top Workplaces project, also emphasizes developing high-quality managers.
“We do a lot of manager training on how to make sure we’re engaging our employees, making sure they feel appreciated, that they’re involved and that they have a voice,” she said.
Fairway has also launched a new department to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, and has created an array of employee resource groups aimed at interests including women’s empowerment, veterans and new parents.
Fairway also stresses community involvement through its Fairway Cares program, which provides care packages to people in need because of a critical illness or other personal tragedies. The company and its employees also sponsor the American Warrior Initiative, and donations have provided 352 service dogs nationwide to veterans.
Fairway Independent Mortgage, headquartered in Madison’s American Center Business Park, has won Top Workplaces recognition in all six years of the program. With 238 Madison employees and more than 5,500 nationwide, the firm makes workplace culture a driving force in its success.
