Minnesota Homeownership Center Director Receives Federal Appointment as Consumer Voice on Lending Policy

St. Paul, MN, September 05, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The Consumer Financial Protection Board (CFPB) has appointed Julie Gugin, Executive Director of the Minnesota Homeownership Center, to its Consumer Advisory Board. As a member of the board, Gugin will be one of approximately two dozen leaders advising the federal agency on consumer protection, financial regulations, and coordination with states for oversight of mortgage, credit and other lending products.

The board will offer input and advise the CFPB on industry and consumer insights across a range of issues regarding the future of financing and financial protection in the U.S., such as new credit, lending and mortgage products, practices and services within the financial sector.

“The CFPB will play an essential role in setting the future direction of credit and lending in the United States, and it’s an honor to join this distinguished advisory board to share Minnesota’s lessons from the foreclosure crisis and its aftermath and help inform the nation’s policy,” stated Gugin.

The Dodd-Frank act charged the CFPB with establishing a Consumer Advisory Board to advise and consult with the Bureau’s director on a variety of consumer financial issues. According to CFPB Director Richard Cordray, the board “will be a key resource to the CFPB…. to further our mission to protect American consumers.”

“The Minnesota Homeownership Center is focused on the future of homeownership in our state, and how we leverage the pride of homeownership to build strong and vibrant communities for our next generation,” added Gugin. “I am thrilled that, through this work with the CFPB, we can take our hope for vibrant communities to inform national policy.”

Gugin joined the Center in January 2007. She has more than 20 years of experience in non-profit leadership and housing program development. Prior to joining the Minnesota Homeownership Center, Ms. Gugin served as associate director of supportive housing at Wilder Foundation and as vice president of programs and interim executive director at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. In addition to her work at the Center, Julie is actively involved in the Twin Cities’ housing community and has served as a board member for numerous organizations. She is currently on the National Industry Standards Committee for homeownership education and counseling and is the Vice President of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota.