Alex Vanderhye All Star Full Image

Alex Vanderhye was born in Greece and by the time he was in high school, he had seen much of the world. With parents who worked as teachers and administrators at international schools, Alex and his family were often on the move. Other places they lived in include Chile, Arizona, Saudi Arabia and Belgium, before eventually settling in McLean, Virginia.

Alex attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduation, he worked as a management consultant for MorganFranklin Consulting, a decision driven by his passion for problem solving. He then continued his consulting career by moving to KPMG, where he spent seven years supporting clients in financial services on projects related to business optimization, technology implementation and process improvement. 

Following these experiences, Alex started looking for an exit from the consulting industry, knowing that a career in consulting would continue to entail heavy travel. He decided to pursue a role at a company based in Northern Virginia where he could plant roots. 

In 2021, Alex joined the Multifamily Counterparty Risk & Compliance team. He began as a manager and was promoted to senior manager in 2023. Alex and his team lead the counterparty due diligence process with a focus on risk management. One of the team’s main focuses is evaluating new Optigo® lenders for compliance with Freddie Mac requirements. 
Below, Alex shares what makes working at Freddie Mac so special and, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, how his upbringing has shaped his career path. 

What do you like most about working at Freddie Mac?

A: That’s simple — our culture. I appreciate how much Freddie Mac prioritizes its people, which allows us to perform better, and in turn, support our mission. The company understands that we have lives outside of work and offers flexibility and a great work-life balance. I take pride in knowing that we are supported by the company while helping to provide safe and affordable housing across the nation. 

What does diversity mean to you? How do you see its value in the workplace?

A: I see diversity as having diverse perspectives and world views. People have different life experiences that are equally valuable and need to be considered. In the workplace and beyond, this starts with encouraging a culture where everyone’s opinions are respected, valued and heard. In doing so, you’re able to challenge the ways you’d normally think and open yourself up to new perspectives. There’s rarely a singular way to solve a problem so encouraging diversity can often bring about a different and better way to achieve the goal. 

Advice to others on bringing your “full self” to work?

A: To some extent, you always have a professional persona that you bring to work that can be necessary for the environment but that doesn’t mean you can’t be who you are. Stay true to yourself and your values and don’t compromise on them. Knowing what’s important to you is the foundation for how you can bring yourself to work. 

Looking back, what's one piece of advice you'd give your younger self?

A: I would tell myself not to underestimate the importance of understanding what’s going on around you. In short, understand the business and what the company’s doing. This can be challenging as a junior team member. I remember times when I felt intimidated by other’s knowledge, like certain aspects of the business were too complicated to learn and understand. However, if you put in the effort and find positive mentors — you can learn anything. There are few roles that can’t be understood when broken down. Knowing this is achievable is key advice I’d give my younger self because it’s so important to recognize how your role contributes to your team and overall company. 

Hispanic Heritage Month has kicked off. Is there someone whose shared background has inspired you/shaped your career?

A: My mother. She is Chilean and I’m half Chilean. She was a child during the Pinochet dictatorship of Chile, and she and her family had to seek asylum in Sweden. Despite these early challenges, she graduated from college, taught for many years and became an elementary school principal — all while raising a family. My mother has constantly demonstrated to me what is possible through hard work and perseverance, and she continues to be an inspiration. She has a big presence in my life, and I am proud of my Hispanic heritage through her.

To see all the Multifamily All-Stars, click here.