Fighting for Truth and The American Dream | Lisa Ledezma | Loan Officer & Advocat

Lisa Ledezma’s life looked like the American dream. A home, a career helping families secure theirs, and a busy life as a mom and soccer coach. But in 2001, everything changed when she was accused of mortgage fraud. What followed was years of legal battles, personal loss, and rebuilding her life from the ground up. Lisa opens up about what it’s like to be swept up in the financial crisis, why she never stopped fighting for her truth, and how she’s using her voice to help others understand financial literacy, homeownership, and resilience. This is a story about grit, advocacy, and holding onto your foundation when everything is shaking. Chapters: 00:00 Lisa’s early years and path into lending 02:15 Becoming a mortgage lender in the Inland Empire 04:30 The joy of helping families buy their first homes 06:45 How the financial crisis changed everything 09:10 The day she was accused of mortgage fraud 11:20 Understanding the charges and the legal process 14:00 Fighting for her truth and reputation 17:15 The personal cost of a public legal battle 20:05 Lessons from being in courtrooms for years 22:40 Rebuilding life after acquittal 25:00 Why financial literacy matters more than ever 27:15 Common home loan mistakes and how to avoid them 30:00 How the housing market impacts working families 32:10 Advocating for the Latino community in real estate 34:20 Finding strength in sports, family, and community The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices