Early Life and Education
Mat Ishbia was born in Birmingham, Michigan, and raised in a Jewish family. He attended Seaholm High School, where he played basketball. From 1999 to 2002, Ishbia was a walk-on point guard for Michigan State University's basketball team, winning the NCAA National Championship in 2000. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2003.
Rise to Success
After graduating, Ishbia joined United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), founded by his father in 1986, as the 12th employee. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming CEO in 2013. Under his leadership, UWM became the largest wholesale mortgage lender in the United States, a position it has maintained for over a decade. He authored the book "Running the Corporate Offense," detailing his leadership strategies.
Key Business Strategies
Ishbia focused on technological innovation and streamlining the mortgage process. He put mortgage brokers at the center of the business, giving them direct access to account executives, underwriters, and closers. In January 2021, he took UWM public through a merger with a SPAC, further expanding the company's market reach.
Philanthropy
Ishbia is actively involved in philanthropy. In February 2021, he made a $32 million donation to Michigan State University, the largest single cash commitment from an individual at the time. He also donated $1 million to the V Foundation for Cancer Research and has supported various other community initiatives.