Claire McNamara once envisioned a career in financial regulation — until a chance encounter with Andy Swanson from Crestmark at a career fair introduced her to field examination. That led her to Pathward, where she gained experience in asset-based lending and factoring, ultimately guiding her toward underwriting.
She joined Mountain Ridge Capital in September 2022 as a portfolio and underwriting associate. After growing her portfolio to 10 deals worth $172 million, she transitioned to a full-time underwriting role in October 2024. Now, as a dedicated underwriter, McNamara focuses on structuring and closing deals ranging from $5 million to $60 million, playing a key role in Mountain Ridge’s growth.
For her, underwriting means balancing risk and opportunity — driving strategic growth while safeguarding financial stability. The transition was demanding, especially on a lean team where she juggled structuring, closing, and client management.
“In a startup, you wear multiple hats,” she says. “The challenge is managing the workload without compromising quality.”
Technology has transformed her process. Financial modeling software and cloud tools help her team move quickly while maintaining quality in structuring and portfolio management.
She credits her success to mentorship from Mountain Ridge Capital’s executive leadership, Craig Winslow and Tree Buckingham, along with strong organization and clear communication.
Mentorship has been pivotal in her career. She encourages young professionals to seek out credit training and startup environments for broad experience. Her advice: “Ask the question. It shows initiative and a willingness to learn.”
She also stresses taking risks: “Go for it and don’t let fear hold you back. If there’s a new role, project, or opportunity that interests you — just try. You never know what doors it could open.”
Looking ahead, McNamara is optimistic. As Mountain Ridge recently celebrated its third anniversary, she sees more growth — and leadership — on the horizon.
