At Lender Toolkit, innovation does not begin with technology. It begins with people. People who bring decades of mortgage experience, a love for solving complex problems, and a genuine commitment to supporting lenders through every stage of change.
Today’s “We Are LTK” spotlight features Valerie VanKlompenberg, our Sr. Manager of Implementation in Professional Services, whose career in mortgage technology spans more than two decades and whose leadership shapes the very heart of our client experience.
From the Early Days of Mortgage Tech to the Front Lines of Automation
Valerie began her mortgage technology career in 2004, back when Encompass was considered the new, innovative disruptor in the industry. Even then she saw something important: the power of integrated systems to make lending faster, simpler, and more accurate.
A lot has changed since then. New regulations, new integrations, new expectations. But she will tell you one thing has stayed the same.
“The steps of originating a loan have never changed. What has changed is the amount of automation we can rely on to make those steps easier.”
That balance between timeless workflow and evolving technology is one of the reasons Valerie gravitated toward Lender Toolkit.
“LTK is a place for people who genuinely love mortgage origination, compliance, technology, Encompass administration, and project management. You get to share that passion with more than one shop. It makes the work meaningful.”
What Implementation Really Means for Lenders
Implementation Services can sound like a technical function. Valerie makes it a human one.
In her words, implementation means “standing up proven solutions that help clients streamline processes, enhance Encompass, and reduce the quantity of mundane tasks so employees can focus on the real issues.”
Her team is there to:
• Simplify complicated configuration decisions
• Align automation with the lender’s unique workflow
• Reduce clicks and friction points
• Improve speed and accuracy
• Train teams so usage actually sticks
It is about partnership. Support. Clarity. Confidence.
And, as Valerie likes to emphasize, it is about helping lenders use automation to make their people more effective, not less essential.
White-Glove, Not Buzzword
“White-glove” gets thrown around a lot in the mortgage technology space. Valerie gives it a clearer definition.
“We partner with the client. We make sure their system is configured correctly. We are available through instant messaging, phone, and text. We become an extension of their team.”
This is not a one-and-done implementation where the vendor installs a product and disappears. Her team provides training, usage monitoring, refinements, and ongoing support. When adoption drops, they step in. When a lender wants to optimize, they offer new pathways. It’s the difference between implementing software and empowering people.
ROI, Delivered by Humans
ROI is not a guessing game for Valerie. She looks at turn times, touches per file, disclosure accuracy, and system performance. Her years in mortgage operations shape every decision she makes. She understands what slows teams down, what causes rework, and what creates strain. Which means she knows exactly where automation can relieve it.
Clients often tell her they are surprised by how quickly trust in the automated process grows. When the routine tasks become automatic, employees feel more confident, less stressed, and more focused on meaningful work. That transformation is what Valerie loves most.
Looking Ahead: AI and the Future of Implementation
With AI advancing rapidly, implementation is entering a new era.
Valerie sees AI helping identify optimized rules, configuration opportunities, and automation logic that can enhance performance even further.
But she is quick to point out something essential. AI is powerful, but it still needs experienced humans to guide it, refine it, and align it with real-world mortgage workflows.
That is where her team shines.
Advice for Lenders Beginning Their Automation Journey
Valerie’s guidance is simple and impactful:
“Automation improves accuracy by removing mundane tasks. It helps your team focus on complex issues and the customer, not the clicks.”
It is the kind of advice that comes from someone who has seen change from every angle. And someone who has helped hundreds of lenders move forward with clarity and confidence.
Celebrating a Leader Who Represents What LTK Stands For
Valerie brings energy, curiosity, and excitement to her work every day. She leads with empathy, precision, and an unwavering commitment to helping lenders succeed.
Her team’s unofficial tagline, “Focus only on the exceptions,” captures the philosophy behind everything she builds.
This is what “We Are LTK” is all about.
People with real experience. Real passion. Real commitment to making lending better through thoughtful, human-centered automation.
We are grateful to have Valerie leading our implementation efforts. She is one of the reasons lenders feel supported, understood, and confident when they choose LTK.
