CLEVELAND, Ohio — CrossCountry Mortgage, a mortgage lending company, won third place in the large category of this year’s Top Workplaces rankings.
Name: CrossCountry Mortgage
Founder and CEO: Ron Leonhardt
Address of local operation: 2160 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114
What the company does: ”CCM is the nation’s number one distributed retail mortgage lender with more than 7,000 employees operating over 700 branches and servicing loans across all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Our company has been recognized ten times on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private businesses and has received many awards for our standout culture.
We offer more than 120 mortgage purchase, refinance and home equity solutions — ranging from conventional and jumbo mortgages to government-insured programs from FHA and programs for Veterans and rural homebuyers — and we are a direct lender and approved seller and servicer by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and Ginnie Mae. Through our dedication to getting it done, we make every mortgage feel like a win.”
Years in business: Founded in 2003
For the 2025 Top Workplaces list, cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer compiled more than 180 stand-out Northeast Ohio employers based on employee surveys. Find the full list and stories on the top three winners in each of four categories at cleveland.com/top-workplaces.
Why they won: When asked what makes them a top workplace, Kelsey Trusnik, a senior employee engagement manager, said: “CrossCountry Mortgage earned its Top Workplace recognition through its dedication to creating a strong company culture. It is a company that values its team, fosters a fun and engaging culture, and makes a meaningful impact in the community. We are dedicated to creating a workplace that empowers employees and provides them with the tools they need to thrive. Every day, we focus on growth for our people, customers, and business.”
CrossCountry Mortgage stands out from other workplaces because it sees itself as not just a place to work but as a thriving community. The company prioritizes professional development which includes mentorship, leadership training, and career advancement.
Commitment to employees includes, promoting clear communication, innovative technology as well as wellness initiatives. The company also hosts festive celebrations, workplace everts and engaging activities to bring forth camaraderie, motivation, and team spirit. Executives enable their employees to volunteer and support causes in the communities they serve.
Trusnik describes dedication to employees: “In an industry where each day brings new challenges, there are constant opportunities for growth. We offer exceptional training programs for those interested in the mortgage industry, including loan officer training, junior loan processor roles, and a mortgage mentee program. These programs provide trainees with paid opportunities to acquire the skills needed for permanent positions. At CCM, we provide comprehensive, ongoing digital-based training, industry updates, town halls for all employees to discuss company and industry news, sales tips, informative webinars with internal and external experts, and many other forums.
We are dedicated to developing young professionals and building relationships with local college and university students. We provide internship opportunities across all corporate departments, offering networking opportunities, professional workshops, real-time feedback, and direct learning experiences. Our goal is to ensure meaningful work and a positive experience for every intern who joins our CCM team.”
Yearly, the company engages in employee based surveys which ensures that employees voices are heard. While feedback helps evaluate the culture as well as celebrate the companies achievements. These surveys allow the company to understand changes that employees would like to see, and identify areas for growth.
Employee well-being is also key to success. CrossCountry has a 8,600 square-foot gym at corporate headquarters and offer classes, personal trainers and accessibility for all of their employees.
Trusnik says: “Each month, we offer one-on-one complimentary sessions with a certified integrative nutritionist and life coach, providing guidance and support to employees as they work towards lifestyle changes and goals. Every year, we host a biometrics screening and flu shot clinic with healthcare professionals available for private consultations. These events help employees gain a better understanding of their health metrics, while also offering accessible, no-cost resources to support them in maintaining and improving their well-being.”
Looking forward to this coming year, Trusnik said “we are eager to drive growth, innovation, and employee well-being by launching new initiatives to enhance workplace wellness, forge stronger partnerships with local organizations, and expand professional development opportunities. At the same time, we remain focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience by leveraging advanced technology, optimizing processes, and offering personalized support. CCM is dedicated to making homeownership more attainable and empowering clients to achieve their financial goals with confidence.”
Said one employee: “The mortgage industry is pretty interesting and I’m given a lot of opportunities to help people, the people here are very friendly and build you up instead of tear you down, and I feel like I have a future here with a lot of growth opportunities, which gives me a lot of motivation to do my best and learn as much as I can, to put it simply, I feel like a better version of myself since I’ve started working here.”
For the 2025 Top Workplaces list, cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer compiled more than 188 stand-out Northeast Ohio employers based on employee surveys. Find the full list and stories on the top three winners in each of four categories at cleveland.com/top-workplaces.
