Leading the digital shift: DocMagic’s Leah Sommerville on scaling sales and paperless innovation

For more than a decade, the HousingWire Rising Stars award has recognized professionals ages 40 and under who are driving measurable impact across housing. Since being named a 2025 Rising Star, Leah Sommerville has expanded both her leadership scope and her industry influence — transitioning into a sales leadership role at DocMagic while continuing to champion digital transformation across the mortgage ecosystem.

In the Q&A below, Sommerville shares how her career has evolved, why advancing paperless adoption remains a top priority and the qualities she believes will define the industry’s next wave of leaders.

HousingWire: Since being named a Rising Star, how has your role or career evolved?

Leah Sommerville: I’ve continued to evolve not just in title but in impact — transitioning from an individual contributor focused on digital mortgage strategy to leading DocMagic’s sales organization as director of sales. In this role, I’m privileged to guide and mentor a high-performing team while continuing to work alongside lenders, banks, credit unions and partners to accelerate the adoption of paperless, efficient closing workflows.

Being recognized as a Rising Star reinforced my commitment to industry education and innovation, and I’ve doubled down on efforts to support lenders through their most complex digital transformation challenges.

HousingWire: What project, initiative or achievement are you most excited about right now?

LS: Currently, I’m most excited about advancing and scaling digital adoption beyond just the mortgage industry. My passion has always been helping lenders and settlement partners move confidently into fully paperless workflows. Over the past year, I’ve been deeply involved in initiatives like expanding eNotary onboarding programs and helping organizations implement compliant eNote and eVault processes that truly transform the borrower experience.

These efforts not only streamline operations but also unlock new efficiencies and opportunities across the mortgage ecosystem. Now that we’ve truly seen the impact this makes for all stakeholders throughout the mortgage life cycle, other industries (such as auto and commercial) are also clamoring to provide digital tools to accommodate not only electronic loan origination workflows, but also for digital collateralization of additional loan types as well.

HousingWire: What skills or experiences have been most critical to your growth in the housing industry?

LS: Consultative problem solving, relationship building and clear communication have been critical to my professional growth. Helping lenders understand where they are today and where they want to go with their digital workflows has always been at the core of my work, and that consultative approach has allowed me to deliver solutions that are both practical and forward-looking.

Building strong partnerships across the industry — from lenders to notaries and technology partners — has also been essential in driving meaningful adoption and collaboration. Along the way, I’ve leaned heavily into communication and education, whether that’s breaking down complex digital mortgage concepts into actionable strategies or guiding teams through change. Across all of this, maintaining a solution-oriented mindset and staying focused on outcomes has been paramount to my foundational growth.

HousingWire: What advice would you give to professionals early in their careers who aspire to make an impact in mortgage, real estate or homebuilding?

LS: Be curious and be purposeful. The mortgage and housing ecosystem is evolving rapidly, especially with digital transformation accelerating everywhere from eClosings to eNotes to eHELOCs to eChattel and so on. Early in your career, seek opportunities to learn holistically — not just about your role, but about how the entire value chain works together.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions and challenge processes that aren’t serving your clients and partners well. Lastly, build relationships and find mentors. These connections will expand your perspective and support your growth as both a professional and a leader.

HousingWire: When you think about the next generation of Rising Stars, what qualities or traits do you think set future leaders apart?

LS: I’m excited to work with the future leaders in our industry who will be defined by adaptability, empathy and innovation. The mortgage ecosystem is in the midst of a significant transformation, and those who thrive will be the ones who can see around corners — who combine business acumen with the ability to engage thoughtfully with customers and partners. They’ll also be the professionals who lift others up, encourage collaborative problem solving, and work across teams to bring new solutions to life efficiently and thoughtfully.

Click here to nominate a 2026 Rising Star.