Hi, I'm Allen Pollack
Expertise That Supports Growth
A Career Of Innovating Opportunity
I am hyper-focused on driving results, having learned from both failures and successes. My expertise has been shaped by working alongside great leaders, molding my mindset for success.
With a passion for making meaningful change, I bring a strategic approach that transforms challenges into opportunities, guiding businesses to reach their peak performance.
A Career Of Innovating Opportunity
I am hyper-focused on driving results, having learned from both failures and successes. My expertise has been shaped by working alongside great leaders, molding my mindset for success.
With a passion for making meaningful change, I bring a strategic approach that transforms challenges into opportunities, guiding businesses to reach their peak performance.
Where it all started
The MTV Dream
From day one, I had a clear goal: to work in TV and film. In college, I directed a live newscast for two years and worked as a video editor at CBS News in Connecticut, which eventually landed me my dream job at VH1/MTV.
I worked on shows that defined pop culture, and it was everything I had ever wanted. But then, life had other plans. The internet was exploding, and I found myself being pulled into something completely unexpected. Looking back, this unexpected turn would shape my entire career trajectory in ways I never could have imagined.
The Early Days
The Wild West of Websites
When the internet was still brand new, I was self-taught in programming and design, learning as I went in an era where nobody really knew what they were doing.
Everyone had a big idea—pet cemeteries, travel booking sites, and every quirky concept imaginable—and I was the guy who built them. One of my creations even ended up in a Dummies book. It was messy, chaotic, and exciting—a crash course in taking ideas, no matter how unconventional, and turning them into something real. Back then, there was no playbook, so we made it up as we went.
A Real Life Silicon Valley Story
Revolutionizing with NYLX
How I ended up in the mortgage industry is a story for another day, but let’s just say it involved plenty of surprises. One moment I was building quirky websites, and the next, I was buried in mortgage data.
Running NYLX felt like living through a real-life version of Silicon Valley. We had servers overheating in the office, systems blowing up at the worst possible moments, and employees who sometimes had unique ideas about their roles. Add in patent trolls, frantic capital raises, and the mortgage market collapse of 2008 – it was an adventure.
The "Pinch Yourself" Moment
Google & Costco Partnerships
Amid all the chaos, there were moments that still feel surreal—like walking the halls of Google as a VIP, working with their engineers to build their live mortgage pricing platform.
And then there was Costco, where we partnered to create an exclusive live mortgage pricing system for their members—a groundbreaking tool that changed how the industry approached large-scale partnerships. These collaborations were a fundamental shift in how mortgage technology could be integrated into major consumer platforms.
The "Why Not" Moment
Improving Loan Quality
As NYLX evolved, we saw an even bigger challenge in the industry: improving loan quality. It was messy, complicated, and riddled with inefficiencies—but we said, “Why not?” This led to the creation of LoanLogics, formed from the merger of NYLX and Aklero Risk Analytics.
Together, we built a new approach to loan quality, streamlining audits and compliance in ways the industry had never seen before. We faced our share of missteps and bad alignments—but we reshaped how loan quality was managed across the mortgage space.
Innovating Loan Quality Management
Digital Banking & LOS
After LoanLogics, I stepped into a consulting role with a fast-growing LOS platform and helped guide their acquisition by Fiserv. It went from a consulting gig to bigger.
Once again, I found myself stepping into something completely new, helping to bridge the gap between mortgage and digital banking. We developed hyper-personalized solutions that went far beyond what traditional lenders could offer. This was about reimagining how the industry approached digital integration and customer experiences.
AI: The Next Frontier
Developing Sophie
And then there was Sophie, the Digital Human. Sophie wasn’t just another chatbot—she was a fully interactive AI assistant, designed to transform how lenders engaged with their customers. I spearheaded the entire project, leading it from concept to execution. Sophie and I worked closely together (yes, literally!) to bring her to life.
The project delivered incredible proof-of-concept case studies, and I even showcased Sophie live on stage in front of thousands. Sophie became the face of what AI could achieve when creativity and technology came together.
Creating Growth & Impact
Chief Innovation Officer
After my work with Sophie and Digital Banking, I stepped into the role of Chief Innovation Officer at another fast-growing LOS platform. My role centered on taking an acquired technology platform and building it into a fully realized consumer-direct lending solution.
This was about transforming the platform to fit seamlessly into their customers’ ecosystems, helping to revitalize their brands in the mortgage market and create real, competitive advantages. The transformation required rethinking every aspect of how technology could serve modern lending needs.
The First Exit, LOS Systems, & More
The 15-Year Journey
It was during this chapter that the first exit happened—the culmination of everything we built at LoanLogics. After years of challenges, growth, and innovation, it was a moment that represented the culmination of a 15-year journey.
Not long after, the second LOS platform reached its own pivotal moment when it was acquired by the publicly traded company MeridianLink. This marked my second major exit, followed by a critical role in onboarding MeridianLink’s mortgage business and ensuring its successful integration into the broader organization.
Driving for Impact
Partnership & Advisory
After two major exits, slowing down wasn’t in the plan. I jumped back into advisory and consulting, helping lenders and vendors navigate the complexities of scaling, innovating, and staying ahead of market changes.
Today, I partner with leadership teams to align technology with strategy, optimize operations, and deliver results that drive real impact. Whether it’s helping lenders streamline processes, guiding vendors to create market-leading products, or advising tech companies on scaling smarter, I bring decades of experience to every challenge.
What's Next?
Building New Frontiers
Innovation never stops, and neither do I. These days, I’m deeply involved in two exciting ventures. The first is JoyJam, a platform designed to revolutionize how independent music creators connect with their fans and build sustainable careers without relying on traditional algorithms.
The second is my AI video company, where I’m pioneering new ways to bring cutting-edge video and AI solutions to the mortgage industry. These ventures embody my commitment to pushing boundaries, solving complex problems, and helping industries evolve in ways that matter most.
I Am Your Trusted Expert in Innovating Opportunity
Feeling Stuck? I’ve Been There.
I know how frustrating it is when things just don’t flow—processes break down, teams aren’t on the same page, and progress feels like a constant uphill battle. I’ve felt that pain firsthand.
But I’ve also learned that it doesn’t have to be that way. The right strategies and systems can make all the difference—turning frustration into focus and helping you get back to what matters most: building and growing without the constant headaches.
And hey, you’ve made it this far down the page, so clearly you’re ready for a change. Why not take the next step?
Listen To Impactful Soundbites
Let's Get To Work
Together we’ll create a strategy for your organization to implement innovative tools that streamline operations, enhance client experience, and build resilience.