Washington, D.C., February 17, 2026 – The National Housing Conference (NHC) announced today the honorees who will be recognized at its Annual Housing Visionary Awards Gala on June 24 at The Anthem in Washington, DC. This year’s recipients are distinguished leaders in housing finance and community development whose leadership has helped advance NHC’s vision of an America where everyone can live in a quality, affordable home in a thriving community.
The 2026 Housing Visionary Award honorees are Bill Emerson, Board Member of Rocket Companies, and Debra W. Still, CMB, retired Vice Chair of Pulte Financial Services. Both honorees have dedicated decades to strengthening the housing finance system, expanding access to homeownership, and advancing industry leadership that benefits communities nationwide.
“The Housing Visionary Award is among the highest honors in affordable housing and community development, celebrating leaders whose impact reaches far beyond their own institutions,” said David M. Dworkin, President and CEO of the National Housing Conference. “Bill Emerson’s leadership helped guide one of the nation’s largest housing finance companies through periods of significant growth and economic uncertainty, while maintaining a strong commitment to organizational culture, innovation, and community impact. Deb Still’s more than four decades of leadership have helped shape a more inclusive, responsible, and resilient mortgage industry through her work at Pulte Financial Services and the Mortgage Bankers Association. Together, they represent the kind of principled leadership needed to strengthen our housing system for generations to come.”
Bill Emerson serves on Rocket Companies’ Board of Directors and most recently served as President of Rocket Companies, following his tenure as Interim Chief Executive Officer in 2023. He previously served as Vice Chairman of Rock Holdings and held senior leadership roles at Bedrock. Earlier in his career, Emerson served as Chief Executive Officer of Rocket Mortgage for 15 years, where he led the company through a rapidly evolving mortgage market and a period of significant growth. His leadership experience spans strategy, risk management, workforce development, and long-term organizational planning.
“I am honored by this recognition and all it represents. Every success at Rocket is a team effort. That is why I accept this on behalf of Dan Gilbert and everyone who I worked hand-in-hand with for more than 30 years,” said Emerson. “I have tremendous confidence in our current housing leadership and their dedication to affordability and helping America Own the Dream. Their work gives me genuine optimism about our future.”
Debra W. Still, CMB, retired in January 2026 as Vice Chair of Pulte Financial Services, part of PulteGroup, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders. Over more than 40 years in the mortgage industry, Still rose from branch leadership roles to President and CEO, overseeing Pulte Mortgage, PGP Title, and Pulte Insurance Agency. A nationally recognized housing leader, Still served as Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) in 2013 and has held numerous leadership roles advancing affordable housing policy, diversity and inclusion, and industry modernization. She currently serves on the boards of Enact Holdings, Inc. and Chimera Investment Corporation, as Chair of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation and is the Co-Chair of NHC’s National Advisory Council.
“This award is especially meaningful as it comes near the end of my professional journey in housing and real estate finance. Throughout my career I’ve been privileged to work alongside dedicated professionals who share a commitment to responsible lending, strong communities, and expanding the access to homeownership. I have seen firsthand how integrity and collaboration can strengthen our housing finance system, and I am grateful to the National Housing Conference for its leadership,” said Still.
The Housing Visionary Awards Gala will begin at 5:30 p.m. on June 24 at The Anthem (901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024). Contact NHC’s Chief Operating Officer, Amanda Mitchell, at amitchell@nhc.org for tickets or visit www.nhc.org/event/gala/ for additional information.
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About the National Housing Conference (NHC): Founded in 1931, the National Housing Conference is the oldest and broadest housing coalition in America. NHC is a diverse continuum of affordable housing stakeholders who convene and collaborate through dialogue, advocacy, research, and education, to develop equitable solutions that serve our common interest—an America where everyone is able to live in a quality, affordable home in a thriving community. Politically diverse and nonpartisan, NHC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. To learn more about NHC, visit www.nhc.org.