Ethan Winchell is a visionary leader and co-founder of Truework, the leading platform for income and employment verification, serving eight out of the 10 largest lenders by origination volume. Since founding the company in 2017 at the age of 25, Winchell has been dedicated to empowering borrowers and lenders with a secure, efficient platform that streamlines income verification, increases completion rates and reduces costs. His leadership is centered around fostering trust in every financial transaction and driving innovation in the mortgage industry.
Over the past year, Winchell has been instrumental in Truework’s success, particularly as the company emerged from a low in the mortgage market. His efforts were pivotal in securing business from eight of the top 10 originators, successfully convincing them to transition away from The Work Number, a formidable competitor. This achievement contributed to a 90% year-over-year revenue growth for the company.
As president, Winchell exemplifies leadership through his accountability, vision and relentless commitment to excellence. He inspires his team of 15 to push for high performance and outstanding results, fostering a culture of determination and customer-centricity. Beyond his role at Truework, Winchell actively engages with industry leaders through media platforms, podcasts and events, positioning both himself and the company as thought leaders. His proactive approach, including launching a “Mortgage Mondays” video series, showcases his passion for driving industry change and his dedication to the success of his company and customers alike.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best advice I have ever received came from my high school math teacher, who always told us never to say anything with an upward inflection. Never say, “Is it eight?” always say, “It’s eight.” The real lesson here is that you have to bet on yourself and back yourself first — it never happens in the opposite order. Progress, leadership and innovation all require taking the first step with confidence, even when the outcome is uncertain. Bravery is a prerequisite for moving anything forward and, if you don’t take ownership of your direction, no one else will do it for you. Always lean into what you believe is right and say it with conviction.
Name:
Ethan Winchell
Age:
33
Title:
President and Co-Founder
Company Name:
Truework
