Jeff Bochsler, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending
Katherine Harvey Fellows
Jeff’s career path as a senior vice president of Mortgage Lending feels almost destined. His father was in the mortgage industry, which despite Jeff’s reluctance, paved a potential early path for him. In addition, Jeff’s aptitude for numbers made him a natural. And many years later, during a trip to his ancestral home in Switzerland, Jeff discovered that his surname, Bochslen, actually means “home”—a striking coincidence for someone dedicated to helping people secure their dream homes.
“I always knew that I wanted to mix business with doing good in the world,” Jeff reflected, joking that as a child he’d often ask his parents if he could adopt a road. This inherent desire to make a meaningful difference would become an underlying current of Jeff’s career.
During his undergraduate years at Santa Clara University, Jeff was drawn to economics and microfinance classes. These courses appealed to his analytical mind, offering a practical blend of mathematical principles and social impact. After spending a year in Spain improving his Spanish, Jeff initially aimed to work in microfinance in South America, potentially through the Peace Corps.
A practical suggestion to gain lending experience coincided with an opportunity to live near the beach in Carpinteria, leading Jeff to Santa Barbara. What he thought would be a temporary step turned into a 20+ year career. “I ended up liking the mortgage business much more than I expected!” he said.
Jeff’s professional philosophy is rooted in thoughtful, holistic client service. He views each mortgage as more than a loan, and is constantly looking for ways to encourage community, offering relevant lectures and special movie screenings and fundraisers to his clients and friends.
It’s an approach he honed through the Katherine Harvey Fellows program, which became an important part of Jeff’s professional development.
“Through the program, I connected more deeply with nonprofit leaders, expanded my understanding of the local nonprofit ecosystem, and strengthened my commitment to socially conscious business practices,” he said. “The experience also prepared me for future board leadership.”
Jeff’s passion for creating pathways for the next generation of leaders has been a constant in his life, and his steadfast support of LFW’s alumni giving campaign, offering a matching gift each year, is a testament to this commitment.
“Leading From Within does an excellent job of serving all colors of our town and now those leaders’ children are growing up seeing their parents in leadership roles, giving them the confidence to dream big,” he said. It’s a lesson that mirrors the value Jeff observed in the microfinance communities he served in Cuzco, Peru, witnessing how empowering one woman could positively influence an entire community.
A lifelong learner and active community member, Jeff balances his professional pursuits with personal passions like trail running, tennis, and spending time with his wife and two young children. His approach to life and work demonstrates a genuine commitment to personal growth, community development, and creating meaningful, positive change.
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