Tela Mathias, CTO & Chief Nerd at PhoenixTeam has been named a 2026 HousingWire Vanguard, marking her third consecutive year receiving the recognition. The annual award honors executives whose leadership, vision, and influence are helping shape their organization and the broader housing economy.
AI innovation, industry education, and workforce readiness
Tela’s recognition reflects the growing reach of her work across AI innovation, industry education, and workforce readiness. Tela’s work continues to shape how the mortgage industry approaches artificial intelligence, from moving practical AI solutions into real-world use to helping organizations think more intentionally about adoption, governance, and the role people play alongside the technology. Her leadership has helped advance PhoenixTeam’s work across AI innovation and education while creating new opportunities for mortgage professionals to build the skills needed to apply AI responsibly.
A more connected way of thinking about innovation
Her influence reaches beyond individual AI initiatives. At a time when AI is changing the industry so quickly, Tela’s work has continued to evolve with it. Her work is helping push the industry toward a more connected way of thinking about innovation, one that considers not only what technology can do, but where it can create lasting value for the business and the people behind it.
Read more about Tela’s recognition and the work behind it: https://www.housingwire.com/winner-profile/2026-vanguard-tela-mathias/
See the full list of 2026 HousingWire Vanguards: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/announcing-the-2026-housingwire-vanguards/