Freddie Mac Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Freddie Mac has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, operations, and human resources.

Driven by a commitment to housing finance stability, Freddie Mac operates within the secondary mortgage market, facilitating homeownership and rental affordability across the United States through innovative financial solutions.

Leadership Roles at Freddie Mac

  • Chief Executive Officer - Kenny Smith
  • Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer - Jim Whitlinger
  • Division Chief Financial Officer, Multifamily - Dan Smith
  • Chief Operating Officer, Service Management & Operations - Richard Coleman
  • Chief of Staff To Vice President of Mission, Policy and Strategy - Samantha Lerner
  • Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer - Michele Espada
  • Senior Director, Strategic Alignment Office and Chief of Staff To Single Family Data and Decisions CDO - Van Lin
  • Chief of Staff To Multifamily & Sales Head of Production - Cynthia Moore
  • Senior Director and Chief of Staff-Multifamily Capital Markets - Samantha Thalji
  • Servicing Operations Chief of Staff - Nichole Carlyle
  • Kenny Smith - Chief Executive Officer

    Kenny Smith, the Chief Executive Officer at Freddie Mac, directs the overall strategic vision and operational execution for the organization. Smith guides Freddie Mac's mission to provide liquidity, stability, and affordability to the U.S. housing market. This leadership role involves setting corporate objectives, fostering innovation in financial products, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks. Smith oversees the integration of market insights into strategic planning, driving the company's response to evolving economic conditions and housing needs. The Chief Executive Officer's purview extends to stakeholder relations, including government agencies, investors, and industry partners, solidifying Freddie Mac's position as a critical component of the nation's housing finance system. Kenny Smith ensures that all divisions operate in alignment with the company's core mandate of supporting sustainable housing solutions nationwide.
    Kenny Smith

    Jim Whitlinger - Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer

    Jim Whitlinger, the Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer at Freddie Mac, directs all financial operations and strategic financial planning for the enterprise. Whitlinger oversees capital management, financial reporting, treasury functions, and investor relations, ensuring the company's fiscal health and stability. This executive leadership position involves managing Freddie Mac's financial risk, optimizing capital structure, and driving initiatives that enhance financial performance and shareholder value. The Chief Financial Officer plays a crucial role in guiding the company's financial strategy in response to market dynamics and regulatory requirements. Jim Whitlinger ensures robust financial controls and transparent reporting, reinforcing Freddie Mac's commitment to sound financial stewardship and its vital role in the secondary mortgage market. Whitlinger's oversight is critical for maintaining investor confidence and supporting the company's mission.
    Jim Whitlinger

    Dan Smith - Division Chief Financial Officer, Multifamily

    Dan Smith, the Division Chief Financial Officer, Multifamily at Freddie Mac, leads the financial strategy and oversight for the company's multifamily business segment. Smith is responsible for financial planning, analysis, budgeting, and reporting specific to the multifamily housing market. This critical role involves providing financial guidance to support the growth and profitability of Freddie Mac's multifamily lending and securitization activities. The Division Chief Financial Officer, Multifamily ensures that financial operations within this division align with overall corporate financial objectives and regulatory standards. Dan Smith's expertise is instrumental in managing the financial aspects of multifamily transactions, contributing to Freddie Mac's ability to provide essential financing for rental properties across the nation. Smith's financial acumen supports the strategic direction of the multifamily portfolio.

    Richard Coleman - Chief Operating Officer, Service Management & Operations

    Richard Coleman, the Chief Operating Officer, Service Management & Operations at Freddie Mac, oversees the critical operational functions that support the company's service management and overall business execution. Coleman directs the teams responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of services across Freddie Mac's platforms, impacting both the single-family and multifamily sectors. This leadership position involves optimizing operational processes, managing service level agreements, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance performance and reliability. The Chief Operating Officer, Service Management & Operations plays a key role in maintaining the integrity and efficiency of Freddie Mac's operational infrastructure, which is vital for its function in the secondary mortgage market. Richard Coleman ensures that operational strategies align with the company's commitment to stability, liquidity, and affordability in housing finance. Coleman's focus is on robust operational frameworks.
    Richard Coleman

    Samantha Lerner - Chief of Staff To Vice President of Mission, Policy and Strategy

    Samantha Lerner, the Chief of Staff To Vice President of Mission, Policy and Strategy at Freddie Mac, provides critical support in shaping and executing the company's strategic initiatives and policy development. Lerner facilitates communication and coordination between the Vice President and various internal departments, ensuring alignment with Freddie Mac's core mission. This role involves managing key projects, preparing strategic analyses, and supporting the development of policy recommendations that impact the secondary mortgage market. Samantha Lerner contributes to the formulation of long-term objectives and ensures that operational activities are consistent with the company's commitment to housing affordability and stability. The Chief of Staff To Vice President of Mission, Policy and Strategy plays a vital part in translating high-level strategy into actionable plans, driving forward Freddie Mac's role in the U.S. housing ecosystem.

    Michele Espada - Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Michele Espada, the Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer at Freddie Mac, directs the comprehensive human capital strategy and all HR operations for the organization. Espada oversees talent acquisition, employee development, compensation and benefits, and organizational culture initiatives designed to support Freddie Mac's mission. This leadership role is pivotal in attracting, retaining, and engaging a high-performing workforce essential for navigating the complexities of the secondary mortgage market. The Chief Human Resources Officer champions initiatives that foster a diverse, inclusive, and productive work environment, aligning HR practices with the company's strategic goals. Michele Espada ensures that Freddie Mac's human resources function effectively supports its commitment to housing finance stability and innovation. Espada's strategic direction shapes the employee experience and organizational capability.
    Michele Espada

    Van Lin - Senior Director, Strategic Alignment Office and Chief of Staff To Single Family Data and Decisions CDO

    Van Lin, the Senior Director, Strategic Alignment Office and Chief of Staff To Single Family Data and Decisions CDO at Freddie Mac, drives strategic initiatives and operational efficiency within the single-family data and decisions domain. Lin coordinates efforts to ensure alignment between data-driven decision-making processes and Freddie Mac's overarching strategic objectives for the single-family mortgage market. This role involves facilitating cross-functional collaboration, managing key projects, and supporting the Chief Data Officer in optimizing data utilization for enhanced business outcomes. Van Lin contributes to the strategic planning and execution of initiatives that leverage data analytics to improve mortgage origination, servicing, and risk management. The Senior Director, Strategic Alignment Office and Chief of Staff To Single Family Data and Decisions CDO plays a crucial part in translating data insights into actionable strategies that support Freddie Mac's mission of housing affordability and stability.

    Cynthia Moore - Chief of Staff To Multifamily & Sales Head of Production

    Cynthia Moore, the Chief of Staff To Multifamily & Sales Head of Production at Freddie Mac, provides strategic and operational support to the leadership of the multifamily and sales production divisions. Moore facilitates the execution of key initiatives, manages critical projects, and ensures seamless communication and coordination across these vital business units. This role involves translating strategic priorities into actionable plans and supporting the Head of Production in achieving production targets and market growth objectives within the multifamily sector. Cynthia Moore contributes to the development and implementation of strategies that enhance Freddie Mac's position in the multifamily capital markets. The Chief of Staff To Multifamily & Sales Head of Production plays an integral part in driving operational excellence and strategic alignment within these high-impact areas, supporting Freddie Mac's mission to provide housing finance solutions.

    Samantha Thalji - Senior Director and Chief of Staff-Multifamily Capital Markets

    Samantha Thalji, the Senior Director and Chief of Staff-Multifamily Capital Markets at Freddie Mac, directs strategic operations and provides critical support within the multifamily capital markets division. Thalji enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of capital markets activities, ensuring alignment with Freddie Mac's broader financial and strategic objectives. This role involves managing complex projects, facilitating communication among key stakeholders, and supporting the leadership in navigating the dynamic landscape of multifamily finance. Samantha Thalji contributes to the strategic planning and execution of initiatives aimed at strengthening Freddie Mac's presence and capabilities in the multifamily capital markets. The Senior Director and Chief of Staff-Multifamily Capital Markets plays a vital role in optimizing the company's engagement with investors and partners, supporting its mission to provide liquidity and stability to the housing market.

    Nichole Carlyle - Servicing Operations Chief of Staff

    Nichole Carlyle, the Servicing Operations Chief of Staff at Freddie Mac, provides essential strategic and operational support to the servicing operations division. Carlyle focuses on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of mortgage servicing processes, ensuring alignment with Freddie Mac's commitment to stability and customer service. This role involves managing key initiatives, streamlining operational workflows, and facilitating communication between leadership and operational teams. Nichole Carlyle contributes to the strategic planning and execution of projects designed to optimize mortgage servicing performance and mitigate risk. The Servicing Operations Chief of Staff plays a crucial part in ensuring that servicing operations effectively support Freddie Mac's mission of providing liquidity and affordability in the housing market. Carlyle's efforts are directed towards maintaining robust operational integrity.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Freddie Mac Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Freddie Mac?
    Freddie Mac is led by Kenny Smith (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Jim Whitlinger (Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer) and Dan Smith (Division Chief Financial Officer, Multifamily).
    Who is part of Freddie Mac’s executive team?
    The executive team of Freddie Mac includes leaders such as Kenny Smith (Chief Executive Officer), Jim Whitlinger (Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer), Dan Smith (Division Chief Financial Officer, Multifamily) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Freddie Mac have?
    Freddie Mac has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Freddie Mac’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Freddie Mac includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer, Division Chief Financial Officer, Multifamily, Chief Operating Officer, Service Management & Operations, Chief of Staff To Vice President of Mission, Policy and Strategy.