Joi Kowalik
Sterling Heights
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven leader with a robust background in both performing and non-performing mortgage sectors, demonstrating a strong track record of fostering team growth and driving impactful change. Recognized for exceptional communication and outstanding organizational skills, complemented by a deep commitment to achieving individual and collective success. Proficient in navigating complex systems, including MSP, ICE, and various investor platforms, ensuring seamless operations and strategic alignment. Passionate about leveraging diverse experiences to inspire teams and enhance overall performance in the mortgage industry.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS SUPERVISOR
Flagstar Bank
01.2019 - 04.2025
- Reconcile losses and rebuttal expenses from MSR (Mortgage Servicing Rights) owners and investors
- Prepared and submitted comprehensive investor and insurer claims (e.g., FHA, VA, USDA, GSEs) to ensure optimal financial recovery.
- Manage claims department to ensure that claims were filed timely and accurately.
- Worked with default cash team with suspensions, restricted escrow, claim funds and helped cash process defaulted unapplied funds.
- Delegated work to the team and monitored pipeline
- Align with senior leadership to develop strategy, structure and set appropriate goals for the department
- Manage, coach and develop team members to ensure peak performance
- Manage audits for USDA and VA as well as demands from FNMA and FHLMC
- Do a loss analysis on each claim to minimize losses.
REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS SPECIALIST LEAD
Flagstar Bank
03.2017 - 01.2019
- Filed all investor claim types (FNMA, FHLMC, USDA, VA, FHA, MI and FHLBI) Managed escalated loan pipeline
- Recommended and implemented audit standards
- Created and facilitated new team members and investor update training
- Process adhering to guidelines with a sense of urgency
- Worked with leadership to ensure that claims were filed in a timely and accurate manner
- Coordinated FHA audit
Funding Support
Flagstar Bank
04.2015 - 03.2017
- Collaborate with underwriters
- Worked VA and FHA funding
- Initiate and release all outgoing wires.
- Identify and resolve issues or discrepancy in post-closing documents and funding transaction in a timely manner
- Review and verify post-closing documents for accuracy and completeness
- Organize and maintain physical and electronic files of post-closing documents
- Clear/resolve exception raised by daily reconciliation
REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS ASSOCIATE
Quicken Loans
05.2013 - 03.2015
- Managed multiple investor work ques for the claims process adhering to guidelines with a sense of urgency
- Worked with leadership to ensure that claims were filed in a timely and accurate manner
- Filed FNMA and FHLMC and MI Worked with the MI companies and monitored claim reimbursement I
- Implemented FHA audit
CLAIMS SPECIALISTS
Flagstar Bank
03.2008 - 05.2013
- Filed Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac claims
- Worked pipeline by priority
- Work with management team to minimize losses
- Trained new employees
INSURANCE SPECIALIST
Flagstar Bank
11.2001 - 03.2008
- Monitored insurance coverage on all properties within investor guidelines
- Worked with insurance agents to make sure that the borrower had the correct coverage that meant the requirement’s Supported the escrow analysis team with up-to-date insurance premium data
- Tracked and process renewals cancellation and reinstatement
- Responded quickly to borrower’s inquiries regarding insurance coverage and disbursements
- Worked with borrowers in helping with the LOMA application on flood policy
- Coordinated with force-place insurance when provided accurate insurance coverage
- Worked with People Soft
Escrow Mortgage Processor/Trainer
National Bank of Detroit (NBD)
03.1995 - 02.1998
- Completes the annual escrow analysis process, ensuring the accurate and timely completion of schedule escrow account.
- Review and complete escrow analysis for all non-escrow loans with escrow advances
- Researched and resolved problem account maintain company retention.
- Worked with borrowers
- Worked with escrow vendors
- Training new employees
Education
No Degree - Business Administration And Management
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MISkills
- Leadership
- Production Management
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Auditing
- Teamwork
- Customer Service
- Multitasking
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop balance sheets and work pipeline
- The team has been at a 97% in QC audits control for four years in a row.
- 2024 we had 434 million paid claims completed.
Timeline
REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS SUPERVISOR
Flagstar Bank
01.2019 - 04.2025
REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS SPECIALIST LEAD
Flagstar Bank
03.2017 - 01.2019
Funding Support
Flagstar Bank
04.2015 - 03.2017
REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS ASSOCIATE
Quicken Loans
05.2013 - 03.2015
CLAIMS SPECIALISTS
Flagstar Bank
03.2008 - 05.2013
INSURANCE SPECIALIST
Flagstar Bank
11.2001 - 03.2008
Escrow Mortgage Processor/Trainer
National Bank of Detroit (NBD)
03.1995 - 02.1998
No Degree - Business Administration And Management
Ferris State University
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Led claims team through difficult challenges during Covid-19
Implemented new claim types spanning multiple investors as well as new systems and technology
Developed an interactive job aid for new hires covering all investors and guidelines.