Today we’d like to introduce you to Diderot Saintilma.
Hi Diderot, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
First, I would like to extend my heartfelt greetings to the entire team at Voyage Magazine and express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to share my story with the readers of Voyage Tampa. It is my hope that my journey will inspire others—especially within the Haitian community—to strive for success, build wealth, and believe deeply in the power of perseverance.
I am an immigrant from Ouanaminthe, Haiti, originally from Acul-des-Pins, where I grew up facing many challenges shaped by my country’s instability and limited economic opportunities. My parents worked tirelessly—my mother selling coffee and operating a small street restaurant, and my father, a social worker and farmer, dedicating his life to serving others. Their sacrifices instilled in me discipline, resilience, and a profound desire to pursue a brighter future.
Today, I stand with immense pride as a Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator, serving families and investors across Florida and the United States. I am proud to share where I am today—because every step of my journey has been a testament to faith, hard work, and God’s grace. In my role, I help individuals achieve one of the most important financial milestones of their lives: homeownership. Each year, I have the privilege of assisting and closing transactions for dozens of families and investors, accounting for millions of dollars in residential home loans.
And I want to emphasize this clearly:
By doing this work, I am not only helping families—I am actively contributing to the national economy.
The housing market represents approximately 13.8% of our nation’s GDP in 2024 according the bureau of economic analysis (BEA), making it one of America’s most powerful economic engines. Every loan I close supports the economy, stimulates employment, empowers families, strengthens communities, and fuels investment. It is an honor to know that my daily work plays a direct role in the economic growth of this country that welcomed me—an opportunity I carry with deep gratitude and responsibility. I am proud to serve, proud to contribute, and proud of how far this journey has taken me.
My academic background is diverse and unconventional: I hold a Master’s degree in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Florida, a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences from EARTH University in Costa Rica, and I previously studied Economic Sciences at the State University of Haiti. While it may seem unusual to transition from agriculture to mortgage lending, my passion for finance, business, and serving others made this path both natural and fulfilling.
My introduction to this industry came through my brother, Gerald Saintilma. At first, I was hesitant—but his stories about transforming lives through homeownership sparked something in me. With his guidance and my own determination, I immersed myself in the field and ultimately became one of the top producers in my company and among the top loan originators nationwide.
I am especially grateful for the mentorship of people like Claude Tido, whose more than 20 years of expertise shaped my professional development, and Carl Christian from The Nice Agent, who emphasized the importance of building a strong online presence. I also owe a special thanks to United Wholesale Mortgage and my exceptional account manager, Debbie Cabbadas, whose support has been instrumental in my success.
After completing my studies at the University of Florida, I received multiple stable job offers. However, guided by my brother’s advice, I chose to follow my passion and take a leap of faith into the mortgage industry. It was not an easy decision—especially as a provider for my family—but through faith, focus, and perseverance, that leap became the foundation for a meaningful and impactful career.
Along the way, I have been honored to receive several awards and recognitions, including Top Loan Originator of 2024 by United Wholesale Mortgage, Lender of the Year by The Nice Agent, and a Special Recognition from KONBIT Event for Empowering Florida Homebuyers. These achievements remind me that dedication and a sincere commitment to service can open extraordinary doors.
My ultimate mission is to help hundreds of families and investors achieve homeownership, build generational wealth, and thrive. I am equally devoted to educating the community about the mortgage process—because knowledge empowers people to make confident financial decisions, overcome misconceptions, and access opportunities that were once out of reach. I firmly believe that when one of us rises, we all rise together—and now more than ever, our community needs that collective uplift.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth road? Absolutely not. The journey has been filled with challenges, rejection, and moments that truly tested my resilience. Entering the mortgage industry as an immigrant with an accent and no established network was one of the hardest parts of my professional life. Many people don’t realize how difficult it can be to earn trust when you’re asking them to work with you on the biggest financial decision of their lives — buying a home.
During my first year, despite my relentless efforts to reach out to realtors, homebuyers, and even friends, I received little attention. I vividly remember walking into local stores like Walmart and Publix, introducing myself to strangers, attending every networking event I could find, and showing up to open houses just to meet potential realtors and clients. I was determined to build my brand and prove my value one conversation at a time.
One particular moment still stands out: at an open house, I met a realtor who would later become one of my top producing partners. Her first question to me was, “How many deals have you closed so far?” The answer wasn’t easy — I hadn’t closed any yet. It took nearly a year before we finally closed our first deal together. That experience taught me that persistence and authenticity always pay off, even when results take time.
As an immigrant, my accent has also been both a challenge and a symbol of my journey. There were moments when people hesitated to work with me because of how I spoke. But instead of letting that discourage me, I chose to let my work, professionalism, and commitment speak louder than my accent. Every “no” became motivation to grow stronger, learn more, and keep pushing forward.
Looking back, every obstacle was a lesson — and every struggle was preparing me for the success I now enjoy. The road wasn’t smooth, but it shaped the professional and person I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am an independent Mortgage Loan Officer under TD Finance LLC, doing business as Kay Mortgage Group, specializing in residential mortgages across Florida for first-time and second-time homebuyers, as well as investment loans nationwide. I’m known for my transparency, punctuality, and dedication—but most importantly, for putting people first. I go above and beyond for every client because I see my role not just as originating loans, but as building dreams and creating wealth through homeownership. My diverse background—as a scientist, educator, and immigrant—has shaped the way I think, allowing me to approach every loan with deep analysis, empathy, and purpose.
One of the biggest factors that sets me apart from others in this industry is my educational background.
With a Master’s degree in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Florida—one of the most rigorous scientific programs in the country—I was trained in exceptional research methodology, critical thinking, data interpretation, analytical problem-solving, and a deep, methodical approach to complex situations.
I apply this scientific methodology directly to my mortgage practice.
Every file I touch is analyzed with the same depth, structure, and precision that I applied during my academic research. This allows me to navigate complex financial situations that many loan officers find too difficult or time-consuming to solve. In fact, many clients I help are individuals who were previously denied or abandoned by other lenders—not because they were unqualified, but because their scenarios required an advanced, analytical, and strategic approach.
A powerful example is my client in Parrish, Florida. She had been denied multiple times by several lenders. Her case was complicated, layered, and required the kind of in-depth analysis that most common loan officers would shy away from. But because of my scientific training and unique approach, I was able to identify the solution, restructure her file, and get her fully approved. When she finally closed, she broke down crying and said, “God sent you my way.” Moments like that remind me why excellence, patience, and critical thinking matter so deeply in this profession.
What sets me apart is my genuine care for the families I serve. Every file is personal to me because I understand the emotional and financial journey behind each home purchase. One story that stays with me is a client who had been trying to buy a home for five years. After months of working together, she finally closed just before Thanksgiving 2024 and texted me:
“Diderot, thank you. After 20 years in the U.S., this is my first Thanksgiving in a place I can call home.”
That message brought me to tears and reminded me why I do what I do.
For anyone reading this, I want you to know that when you work with me, you’re working with someone who understands your dreams, your challenges, and your goals. My mission is to help families and investors build wealth through real estate, offering a wide range of loan options including FHA, Conventional, USDA, VA, Bank Statement, and DSCR programs. Every deal is a chance to make a difference—and that’s what drives me every single day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I believe luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I consider myself incredibly blessed—God created me with purpose, and I’m grateful for my beautiful family, my wife, and our two children who motivate me every day.
In business, I’d say I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by the right people at the right time. My brother, Gerald Saintilma, has been a great mentor who helped me navigate this industry from day one, and I’ve had the privilege of working alongside amazing business partners in the mortgage and real estate world who continuously inspire growth and collaboration.
I don’t dwell on bad luck—every challenge has been a lesson that pushed me forward. To me, true luck is the grace to keep moving with faith, gratitude, and hard work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tdfinancellc.com/diderot/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diderot_saintilma_loan_officer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089108575932
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diderot-saintilma-30a41b344
- Other: http://mortgagematchup.com/Profile/DiderotSaintilma85463
Image Credits
My personal photographer took all the photos.
