Elissa Barratt is a managing associate in the Capital Markets practice, based in Atlanta.

1. Please share some of your recent projects and/or accomplishments.

I have recently been working on excess spread deals, specifically coordinating transactions involving our client’s acquisition of mortgage servicing rights. Most recently, I worked directly with our practice group chair to close a transaction that was significant for our client and that has been in process for nearly a year. These transactions can be time-consuming because they may require approval from two different agencies. In addition, I also frequently work on residential mortgage finance transactions, including repurchase agreements and other bilateral and syndicated credit facilities secured by residential mortgage loans, mortgage servicing rights and other asset classes.

2. What does LGBTQ+ pride mean to you?

The freedom to live our lives as openly or as privately as we each see fit without shame for being a member of the LGBTQ+ community. It also means listening to and supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community who are facing different struggles than I have encountered. As a parent, it also means helping my kids take pride in our family and understand that families can take many forms.

3. What is your advice for less experienced LGBTQ+ colleagues?

A characteristic of strong teams is that each member brings their own unique skills, experience and authentic selves to the table. Continue to focus on your work and develop your skills, be responsive and pay attention to details. At the same time, continue to be your authentic self and bring your unique experiences to make your team stronger.

4. Who has inspired you to embrace your identity?

Early in my career I worked for a nonprofit legal organization working on legal issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community. I had the opportunity to work with community leaders and hear stories of struggles and triumph from several prior generations. Prior to equal marriage being recognized by the Supreme Court, we worked together on a marriage equality initiative that failed in an election. Although heartbreaking, I was also inspired to be among leaders as they reflected on the failure and developed strategies going forward drawing on their diversity of experiences. Being a part of the process helped me embrace my identity because I learned to use these past experiences to be more resilient in the face of challenges.

5. What are your pronouns? Why are they important to you?

My pronouns are she/her/hers. It is meaningful to be acknowledged by others the way we each see ourselves and I want everyone I work with to feel safe to be themselves.

6. Those who don't know you very well would be surprised to learn that…

I lived in Beijing for a year in the 1990s. My mother was awarded an opportunity through the Fulbright Scholars Program to teach at Beijing Foreign Studies University and our family relocated to the campus. My brother and I attended local elementary school with our Chinese peers. It was an incredible experience in diversity and cultural immersion. I later took classes to re-learn Mandarin in college. Although I am still far from conversational, I would eventually like to become fluent in reading, writing and speaking Mandarin.

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