Hannah McManus is a 2026 HousingWire Rising Star

HousingWire's Rising Stars award recognizes emerging leaders across the housing economy who have demonstrated exceptional career growth, industry impact, and the ability to make those around them better. This year, Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group's very own Vice President of Marketing, Hannah McManus, earned that recognition.

The award honors professionals under 40 who are shaping the future of housing through “leadership, innovation, and meaningful contributions” both inside and beyond their organizations. Hannah's selection reflects nearly five years of work that has quietly and consistently redefined how Atlantic Bay shows up for its borrowers, its Mortgage Bankers, and the broader mortgage community as a whole.

Building Programs That Open Doors

Hannah's impact is at its most visible in the programs she built from the ground up.

As the former director of Atlantic Bay's branded Family of Companies, she developed the SmartPath™ to Homeownership initiative, which is a comprehensive resource hub designed to educate both borrowers and employees on affordable housing programs.

The goal for Hannah was straightforward: make the path to homeownership feel navigable, not overwhelming.

That same commitment to access led Hannah to spearhead Tu Hogar, Tu Futuro (THTF), Atlantic Bay's bilingual program offering homeownership tools and resources specifically for Spanish-speaking borrowers. In a market where language barriers continue to lock out prospective buyers, THTF certainly represents the kind of intentional, people-first work that defines Hannah's approach to marketing.

Equipping the People Behind the Loans

Hannah's influence extends well beyond consumer-facing programs. She has led the adoption of tools like Homebot, a client engagement platform that has strengthened the borrower experience for Atlantic Bay clients and given loan officers a more meaningful way to stay connected with the people they serve.

She also played a central role in restructuring Atlantic Bay's marketing and recruiting strategy, improving how the company attracts and supports top talent. Through peer trainings, stronger internal communication, and intentional cross-functional collaboration, Hannah has worked to replace the traditional trial-by-fire approach that so many new hires face with something more sustainable and supportive.

Her work in developing Atlantic Bay's internal educational resources and company partnerships also contributed to the company earning us title of "#1 Best Large Mortgage Company to Work For" by National Mortgage News for the fourth consecutive year in 2026.

An Influencing Voice For the Industry

Hannah also hosts the Lending Forward Podcast, where she brings together industry pros, realtors, financial advisors, and coaches to talk openly about where lending is headed. It’s yet another example of her belief that transparency and education are not just good values but good strategy.

Plus, this isn’t her first HousingWire recognition.

In 2023, Hannah also received the Insiders Award.

What Her Colleagues Are Saying

"Hannah's dedication, innovative thinking, and commitment to excellence have not only driven our success but have also positioned her as a standout talent in the housing and mortgage sector,” Robyn Zacharias, Chief Marketing Officer, eloquently explained.

This achievement is a testament to her hard work and the positive impact she has made within our team and beyond.

Executive Vice President, Regional Manager Christopher Brown echoed that sentiment: "Hannah is a rock star and there is no doubt we are lucky to have her on the team. Congratulations and so well deserved."

What Drives Hannah

When asked about the habits behind her success, Hannah has pointed to one above all others: staying coachable. She actively seeks feedback, leans on mentors for perspective and accountability, and treats every opportunity as a chance to improve. It’s a posture that has served her well, clearly, and one that shows up in the way she builds programs, leads teams, and advocates for the 207,000+ people* Atlantic Bay has served.

As Atlantic Bay marks its 30th anniversary this year, “rockstar” Hannah McManus, as Chrisopher so rightly labeled, is a clear example of the kind of leadership that has helped the company earn its reputation and sustain it. So, if you’re interested in experiencing the culture we’re known for, you can find our open opportunities at atlanticbay.com/careers.

So with all that said, congratulations to Hannah on this well-deserved recognition. We could not be more proud to have her leading the way at Atlantic Bay.

*Accurate as of 03/23/26.