“For me, success is an evolving concept that has changed as I’ve grown older and gained more perspective,” says Dawn Stewart, senior lending manager at Chase. “The satisfaction I find in helping others achieve their dreams continues to motivate me every day. I enjoy my work, as it is challenging and aligns with my values and aspirations.”

For Dawn, success has never been about titles or accolades, but about helping people—whether they’re customers buying their first home, colleagues looking for mentorship, or community members seeking guidance through financial solutions. It’s about adding value every day to the role you play.   

Uniquely, Dawn grew up in a family with a long line of only children on both sides. Perhaps unsurprisingly, their close-knit family dynamic emphasized personal responsibility and independence. In addition, her father’s extraordinary career in professional baseball—which spanned more than seventy years with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals—immersed her in a world of discipline and drive.

"Our family life was centered around baseball. We attended countless games and tryout camps throughout those years," Dawn reminisces. “Interestingly, my father's enthusiasm for scouting top talent and his strategic approach to baseball and team-building mirrors my role in the mortgage industry: it's about assembling the right team, nurturing talent, and striving to win over hearts and minds.”

Dawn’s professional path began with a strong academic foundation in finance, accounting, and real estate. Originally planning to become an accountant, her trajectory changed while working at a local credit union: she found herself captivated not by numbers, but by people.

“Working directly with clients and witnessing the impact of financial services on people’s lives drew me toward a more interactive, customer-focused role,” she explains. “Soon, I discovered my true calling was in the mortgage sector, where I could directly assist families in realizing their dreams of homeownership.”

That move marked the start of her decades-long journey in mortgage lending, always gravitating toward roles where she could educate clients on credit, budgeting, and homeownership—providing essential know-how and tools for long-term financial success. 

Dawn credits her own success to a combination of education and exposure, but also, and most importantly, to the relationships she’s built with REALTORS®, colleagues, and clients alike.

"I've built solid relationships with REALTORS®, colleagues from the Illinois Mortgage Bankers Association, and others in the real estate community, and I regard many of these individuals as more than professional contacts—they're friends and family," she shares. "Together, we collaborate to help our clients achieve their goals. Collaboration is what makes our industry truly exceptional."

When Dawn transitioned from back-office accounting work to customer-facing roles, she had to lean into skills she hadn’t yet fully developed. But her time at organizations like the Chicago Park District Credit Union, Draper and Kramer Inc., and National City/PNC Bank gave her a 360-degree understanding of the mortgage process and a wide view of the industry. Those experiences ultimately prepared her for her executive position at Chase, where she now manages teams and initiatives focused on helping families achieve their dream of homeownership and building generational wealth, and driving outstanding customer satisfaction. 

Dawn emphasizes that Chase’s distinguishing factor is its people. “Our dedicated team truly cares about their work, their communities, and providing optimal solutions to their clients. Our people make all the difference,” she says. Dawn’s home lending advisors in the greater Chicago marketplace are led by lending managers Matthew Weisseg, Terri Thurman, Joany Park, and Dawn Marquis. Their dedication, experience, and passion are evident in the tailored solutions they create for their clients, which include Chase’s relationship pricing discounts, flexible underwriting solutions, and Chase’s purchase closing guarantee, which promises an on-time closing in as few as three weeks for eligible customers who qualify. 

Dawn also champions the Chase Agent Express program, which connects REALTORS® with Chase’s expansive customer base. “The program is designed to connect Chase customers with top-performing agents in the market,” Dawn explains. “It complements our commitment to serving our customers, while providing additional opportunities to REALTORS®.” Dawn’s leadership continues to help create long-term relationships that benefit the REALTORS®, her home lending advisors, and most importantly, their mutual customers. 

Outside of the office, Dawn brings the same mindfulness and passion to her personal life. Her family remains central to her world. Dawn and her husband, Brian, have two adult sons, David and Mark. A Christian and a dedicated yogi for over thirty years, Dawn annually attends yoga retreats that blend self-reflection with service. She values that her practice has taught her valuable life lessons and fosters the importance of always operating with honesty and integrity, being a good person, doing the right thing, and giving back to the community. 

Looking ahead, Dawn's vision is clear: beyond her unwavering commitment to clients, she is devoted to cultivating the next wave of industry leaders and championing mentorship across all tiers. "In my role as the national sales executive for home lending sales on JPMorgan Chase's Culture Council, I am passionate about nurturing employee growth through mentorship," she affirms. 

Dawn's daily mantra embodies her essence and actions: "Pursue excellence relentlessly, and support customers, partners, and employees in every possible way."