It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our former leader, Patti Cook. Patti battled a prolonged illness with strength and grace after retiring as CEO of Finance of America Companies in 2022. Patti's legacy is one of unwavering commitment to our people. She invested her time and energy in individuals at every level of our organization, recognizing potential that others may have overlooked. Her dedication to our company made her beloved by employees, both past and present. Over the span of her illustrious career, Patti made a pivot into financial services after years as a teacher. During a time with few female MBAs, Patti blazed trails and paved the way for many other women to do the same, all while raising three daughters of her own. In this second act of her successful career, she held executive positions at prominent companies such as Prudential, JPMorgan, and Freddie Mac. In 2016, she joined our team at Finance of America, where she led the rapid growth and innovation of our organization, eventually guiding us to a successful public listing in April 2021. Patti was a true pioneer in the financial services industry, demonstrating grit and an uncanny ability to seize new opportunities. As the CEO of Finance of America Companies, she played a pivotal role in building and scaling our diversified lending platform, including our former forward mortgage platform to the heights it reached as a top 15 US lender in 2021. Patti was not only a remarkable leader but also a cherished friend and mentor. She demonstrated how to put family first, sharing stories of time with her children and grandchildren and supporting others to do the same. Her loss is deeply felt, particularly by many here who worked with her closely for years, and we will miss her. Let us remember Patti for her professional achievements but most importantly for the incredible person she was. Her impact on Finance of America and all of us will never be forgotten.
I had the honor of serving as Patti's Division HR Lead while at Freddie Mac. She was a trailblazer in so may ways. I learned so much about the business from her and admired her ability to lead with grit and grace in the most challenging circumstances. She willingly shared personal insights into how to deal w the challenges of being a working mom and was a mentor to so many.My prayers go out to her 3 beautiful daughters and the rest of her family. She broke through many concrete ceilings in the Financial Services industry and her legacy will live on through all the people she impacted.. Rest in Eternal Peace Patti.
Sarah Cavanaugh
9mo
Rest in peace, Patti. It was an honor to have worked under her leadership during my years at Finance of America. Patti did much to pave the way for other women looking to build careers in financial services.
Sherin Khona
9mo
Fortitude, grace and courage. These are the words that sum up Patti to me. I am a better person to have known Patti and worked under her leadership. I remember her coming to the office many times telling us how she just came from her trainer and deadlifted 75lbs. You would never know she was going through any hardship. That was just the kind of person she was - humble and persevering. Rest in peace Patti, you will be missed.
A great leader, mentor, friend but what you cherished the most a mother/grandmother - an inspiration to all. You will be missed 💔 but always remembered.
I had the pleasure of working closely with Patti for the better part of the last seven years. As we had adjoining offices we would often catch up- more often than not the topic would be far removed from the office. She was an excellent empathized and as genuine a person I’ve ever met. That’s not to say she was ‘too nice’- she could absolutely lay down the lay when needed and her leadership carried a soft but very stick. But above all she wanted people to exceed - not just professional but personally I’ll never forgot when I told her my GF had recently been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. Patti asked for her number and they chatted for nearly an hour- a call my GF will never forget as it was so meaningful to hear from another woman in the industry. Something Patti had no requirement to do but she did it out of the kindness of her heart and empathy of her soul. And to top if all off she hadn’t yet ‘revealed’ her own personal battle- a battle which she took on with as much aplomb and positivity as everything else. I couldn’t believe that she was working and having treatments - honestly if you didn’t know there’s no way one would have suspected anything was amiss- again a testament to her indominatble spirt She
Nicholas Smith
9mo
Patti was an amazing person who created a lasting legacy and had a positive impact on everyone she worked with. She will be missed.
Ben Hill
9mo
I miss her already. She was a mentor, and adventurer and a friend. But I am better for having known her, and for that I am profoundly grateful. Condolences to her family and friends.
Sherry LaRue
9mo
So sad! Sending my condolences to her family.
Karen Tankersley
9mo
Love this video so much. Captured her spirit. What a loss for all of us who have known her.
Principal at Franco Advisory Services, LLC.
9mo@Very sad news. Patti and I spent a lot of time together during the mortgage crisis. Having 4 daughters, I know how much she loved her girls and will be greatly missed by her family. My upmost condolences. Love and prayers.