PulteGroup, Inc. , one of the largest and most respected homebuilding companies in the United States, has officially announced the planned retirement of Debra W. Still, CMB, Vice Chair of Pulte Financial Services. Still will step down at the end of 2025, closing the chapter on an extraordinary 42-year career that has shaped not only the trajectory of PulteGroup’s financial services operations but also had a lasting impact on the broader housing finance industry.
Still’s retirement marks the end of an era for PulteGroup and the mortgage industry at large. Her journey began in 1983 when she joined the company as a Branch Manager, bringing with her a deep understanding of mortgage lending and a drive for operational excellence. Over the next four decades, Still rose through the ranks and became a transformative leader, ultimately serving as President of Pulte Mortgage in 2004, and then CEO of Pulte Financial Services from 2010 to 2023. Since stepping down from day-to-day leadership, she has served as Vice Chair, supporting the organization through strategic initiatives and mentorship of emerging leaders.
A Career of Influence and Impact
Throughout her distinguished career, Still has been lauded not only for her business acumen and leadership within PulteGroup, but also for her wide-ranging influence in the housing finance industry. Ryan Marshall, President and CEO of PulteGroup, emphasized the breadth of her contributions in a statement acknowledging her retirement.
“Deb Still is one of the most respected leaders in our company and the broader housing-finance industry,” Marshall said. “For more than four decades, she has embodied the very best of our company values. Deb has never shied away from difficult assignments, bringing fresh thinking to every challenge and always prioritizing our customers and colleagues above all else. Her impact extends far beyond our walls, as she has helped shape national housing policy and mentored countless professionals across our industry.”
Under Still’s leadership, Pulte Financial Services expanded well beyond traditional mortgage operations. The platform grew to encompass Pulte Mortgage LLC, PGP Title, and Pulte Insurance Agency, offering integrated home financing, title, and insurance services to PulteGroup’s homebuyers nationwide. With over 1,100 employees operating across the country, the division has become a critical component of PulteGroup’s commitment to providing seamless, end-to-end solutions for homebuyers.
Still was known not just for driving operational performance, but also for fostering a culture of customer-centricity and innovation. She led the adoption of digital mortgage solutions and analytics to improve the loan process, championed employee development programs, and played a vital role in integrating compliance and risk management frameworks into the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
National Leadership and Policy Advocacy
Debra Still’s influence extended far beyond the boundaries of PulteGroup. Her deep expertise and principled leadership earned her the respect of peers, policymakers, and regulators alike. In 2013, she broke a significant glass ceiling by becoming only the second woman in more than a century to serve as Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). In this high-profile role, Still advocated for balanced housing policy, enhanced access to credit, and sustainable homeownership opportunities for American families.
She also regularly testified before Congress on critical housing finance matters, providing expert insight into topics ranging from mortgage reform and secondary market access to consumer protection regulations and lender accountability. Her clear and credible voice helped policymakers understand the real-world implications of legislative and regulatory decisions.
Still’s advocacy wasn’t limited to industry issues. She also demonstrated a deep commitment to social responsibility through her work as Chairman of the MBA’s Opens Doors Foundation. The organization supports families with critically ill or injured children by helping them make rent and mortgage payments during periods of intense financial strain. Under her leadership, Opens Doors grew in both visibility and impact, helping thousands of families navigate one of the most challenging moments of their lives.
Recognition and Awards
In recognition of her trailblazing career and tireless dedication, Still has received numerous prestigious awards and honors over the years. In 2014, the Mortgage Bankers Association presented her with the Andrew D. Woodward Distinguished Service Award—one of the highest honors bestowed by the organization. That same year, she was featured in HousingWire magazine’s “Influential Women of the Housing Economy” list, an accolade she would receive multiple times throughout her career.
The Five Star Institute honored her as one of “The Top Ten Women in Mortgage and Housing,” and in 2020, the Denver Business Journal named her “Most Admired CEO,” recognizing her exceptional leadership within the Denver business community and beyond.
Still’s reputation for integrity, transparency, and forward-thinking leadership has made her a sought-after voice in corporate governance and boardrooms as well.
Continuing the Legacy
Although she will be retiring from PulteGroup at the end of 2025, Still is not stepping away from the housing industry entirely. She will continue to serve on the board of Chimera Investment Corporation, a position she has held since 2018, and will remain on the board of Enact Holdings, Inc., which she joined in 2021. Her continued involvement in these organizations ensures that her decades of insight and strategic perspective will continue to inform the industry’s direction in the years to come.
Still also plans to stay engaged with advocacy efforts, mentoring, and philanthropic endeavors, particularly those tied to increasing access to affordable housing and supporting vulnerable families.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend my entire career at a company that believed in me and gave me room to grow,” Still reflected. “Looking back on these four decades, what I’m most grateful for are the relationships made within Pulte and the broader industry. Colleagues who became lifelong friends, industry partners who shared our vision, regulators and Washington, D.C. decision makers, and of course the countless families and individuals we’ve had the privilege to serve. Pulte gave me the chance to grow, to lead, and to make a real difference.”
Leadership Continuity
Eric Hart, who succeeded Still as President and CEO of Pulte Financial Services in 2023, will continue to lead the organization following her retirement. Hart brings more than two decades of mortgage and financial services experience, and has been instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition while continuing to evolve the company’s home financing capabilities.
“While we will deeply miss Deb’s leadership within our team, we’re grateful that her expertise will continue to benefit the broader industry through her ongoing board roles and advocacy work,” added Marshall.
As PulteGroup begins the process of celebrating Still’s storied career, the company—and the housing industry—can look back with admiration and gratitude for a legacy defined by excellence, impact, and a deep sense of purpose. Debra W. Still’s retirement marks the end of an influential chapter, but her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future leaders across housing and finance for years to come.
