About Marcia
About Marcia
Entrepreneurial, visionary, and relentlessly committed to expanding access to sustainable homeownership, Marcia Griffin is the Founder and CEO of HomeFree-USA, a HUD-approved national intermediary approaching four decades of transformative service.
A nationally recognized housing and financial empowerment leader, Griffin has built one of America’s most respected homeownership development organizations by pioneering innovative, data-driven solutions to strengthen families, expand economic opportunity, and help communities thrive.
Marcia has guided the growth of HomeFree-USA’s affiliate network across 25 states, providing housing guidance to more than 35,000 households annually. Through innovative programs and trusted partnerships with lenders, housing agencies, and community organizations, HomeFree-USA has helped thousands of families successfully navigate the path to homeownership and long-term financial security. Notably, families participating in HomeFree-USA programs maintain a 0% foreclosure rate.
Recognizing that financial capability is foundational to economic mobility, Marcia launched the Center for Financial Advancement® (CFA) in 2017. Operating across 15 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), CFA has served more than 10,000 students by strengthening financial literacy, cultivating leadership skills, and creating pathways to internships and career opportunities with leading corporate partners.
A nationally recognized housing expert and sought-after keynote speaker, Marcia is a respected voice on homeownership, consumer financial well-being, housing policy, and community development. In 2022, she expanded her reach as host of $mart Money Moves: Building Wealth for Everyday People, a television program dedicated to helping individuals and families make informed financial decisions and build stronger financial futures.
Marcia’s expertise is valued by numerous industry leaders and advisory groups. She currently serves on several prominent boards and councils, including the BMO Bank Advisory Council, Freddie Mac Affordable Housing Committee, Mortgage Bankers Association Consumer Advisory Council, Onity Group Financial Advisory Council, Rocket Mortgage Consumer Advisory Council, VantageScore Advisory Board, U.S. Bank Advisory Council, and the DHK Wellness Board.
For Marcia, the mission of expanding homeownership opportunities is both professional and personal. Alongside her husband, Jim, who oversees HomeFreeUSA’s housing development, and her daughters, Simone and Milan, who are leading the organization into the future, Marcia remains dedicated to empowering families, universities, and communities through housing, financial education, and wealth-building opportunities.
Keynote Speaker
Whether speaking to corporate executives, socially-minded entrepreneurs, policy makers, community leaders, mortgage and financial services professionals, Marcia will spark a new way of thinking about business growth and sustainability.
She brings unique insight on topics including:
Profit with Purpose: Building a Business That Matters and Makes Money
Purpose and profit are not competing goals—they’re a powerful combination. In this engaging keynote, Marcia Griffin shares how mission-driven organizations can grow, create lasting impact, and achieve financial success by aligning purpose with strategy, innovation, and strong partnerships.
How to Reach Untapped Homebuyers & Homeowners
Millions of capable individuals are overlooked by traditional systems despite being financially ready. Marcia explores how businesses, lenders, nonprofits, and community leaders can create meaningful connections, expand opportunity, and unlock growth in underserved markets.
From Vision to Legacy – Lessons from a Woman Who Built a National Movement
What does it take to build an organization, a brand, and a mission that lasts? Marcia shares her journey as a woman entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, and national leader, offering powerful lessons on leadership, resilience, innovation, and staying true to your purpose.
Lowering the Homeownership Age: The Blueprint for Reaching Gen Z Buyers
Homeownership doesn’t have to wait until your 40s. Marcia Griffin shares proven strategies to help Gen Z overcome financial barriers, build wealth earlier, and achieve sustainablehomeownership through the innovative Center for FinancialAdvancement®.
Recent Awards
Wealth Watchers President’s Award – 2026
Women with Vision Award – 2026
Joseph Wharton Awards – 2024
The President Joseph R. Biden’s Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award – 2023
The Alliance Partner – First Home Alliance – 2018
Women of Influence Award – HousingWire – 2015
Legacy Leadership Award – For Outstanding Leadership and Exceptional Vision – Central Jersey CDC – 2011
Heart & Soul Magazine – Woman of Substance Award – 2011
Non-Profit Partner of the Year – United Communities Against Poverty – 2009
In The Media
Your consent is required to display this content from youtube - Privacy Settings
$MART MONEY MOVES: Wealth Building for Everyday People offers viewers tips and tricks to improve their finances no matter what their personal economic situation—so they can breathe easier and live better.
Your consent is required to display this content from youtube - Privacy Settings
Marcia speaks to Patty Arvielo, co-founded and leads the nation’s largest Latina-owned mortgage company, New American Funding.
Your consent is required to display this content from youtube - Privacy Settings
Fighting to protect the dream of black homeownership.
Book - Win Or Learn, The Naked Truth
Marcia joins some of the mortgage industries’ most influential women leaders to share secrets to their business and personal success.
When you look at the line up in this book you just know that the information is going to be powerful and valuable to read.