Nicole Vallianatos is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Business Administration and Psychology, where she was also a member of the women’s soccer team. She began her career at Quicken Loans in 2012 as a research analyst and quickly advanced to lead the Consumer Insights team. In that role, she shaped brand architecture, identified new market opportunities, solved complex business challenges, and measured the effectiveness of marketing initiatives across the Family of Companies.

In 2016, Nicole joined Jay Farner’s executive leadership team at Rocket as Chief of Staff, a role she held through 2022. As a strategic partner to the CEO, she worked across Rocket Mortgage and the broader Family of Companies to solve complex business challenges, align executive leadership around shared priorities, and strengthen leadership accountability across direct reports. She led executive planning sessions and offsites, helped refine company culture initiatives, and introduced the organization’s first annual planning framework built around Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), supporting a period of significant growth and operational clarity.

Most recently, Nicole has focused on design, brand development, and marketing strategy across the hospitality portfolio, personally leading the creative vision and design of the group’s restaurant concepts while overseeing operational marketing efforts. The Franklin was named Best New Restaurant 2026 by the Detroit Free Press under her leadership, reflecting the strength of the concept, guest experience, and disciplined brand execution. Her work blends strategic growth with intentional design, thoughtful storytelling, and a deep understanding of hospitality as both business and experience.

Nicole serves as Director, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Jay Farner Family Foundation, where she oversees governance, financial stewardship, strategic planning, and philanthropic initiatives aligned with the foundation’s mission. She resides in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.