Don Meadows, NMLS #152137

Don Meadows is a Senior Mortgage Loan Professional at Wintrust Mortgage with nearly 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry. Throughout his career, Don has taken great pride in serving blue-collar communities, first responders, and educators, with a special interest in first-time homebuyers. He strives to be an educational resource on the homebuying journey for younger consumers in particular, prioritizing practical, first-hand knowledge over resources that might be less reliable. His personal philosophy is that “the ability to teach and be taught is essential,” and he especially loves “creating a dream with someone, and then helping them fulfill it.”

He was the highest LMA-producing loan officer in 2020 and 2021, and is HUD certified in pre-ownership and post-ownership through NeighborWorks America. Dedicated to serving the housing needs of his community, Don helped to create a moratorium with local judicial representatives that stated consumers could not be foreclosed upon without proper counseling. Before working in the mortgage industry, Don was a juvenile detention officer as well as a baseball and wrestling coach. His first experience buying a home was negative, and he wanted to break into the business to act as a coach and advocate, helping others avoid the same outcome.

He is passionate about supporting local minority-owned businesses, particularly restaurants, and places a great emphasis on breaking bread with community members of different backgrounds—a theme that carries into his own household. With a blended family of 12, the Meadows family is often gathered around the table on Sunday nights. Don is a proud member of a military family, and volunteers with the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals. He also serves as the education chair for the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA). He enjoys playing golf and dominos, and cooking for his 10 children and seven grandchildren.