Unlocking opportunities to discover financial independence and personal growth through an inclusive community of women.
Unlocking opportunities to discover financial independence and personal growth through an inclusive community of women.
It all started at a women’s real estate event in Los Angeles. Unbeknownst to Cynthia, Karen could not help but notice her as she sat down for lunch and meticulously set her plate, utensils, and beverage just so on table in front of her. Karen could not help but chuckle. The next day, Cynthia did it again!
However, it was during that event that Cynthia and Karen were introduced in person to Paige Panzarello. Paige, aka The Cashflow Chick, was holding a “Building Wealth with Notes Bootcamp” the following month in CA. This meant another cross-country trip for Cynthia, but she knew it was an opportunity not to be missed. It was on the last day of the bootcamp that Karen met Cynthia officially as they partnered on a team exercise. Karen must have thought “Oh Lord, it’s her!”
Following the bootcamp, they both separately signed up for Paige’s note mastermind, which is when Missy received her introduction to notes. For 10 weeks Paige walked them patiently and thoroughly through the due diligence process for non-performing notes. Not wanting to lose the momentum and knowledge, Karen proposed to start an accountability group. This is where the magic happened.
Karen had a vision to introduce more women to note investing so they could achieve the financial freedom that Paige and so many others in the industry have found. This is where The WIIN Group was born. It didn’t happen overnight. The birth of The WIIN Group was just as organic as their meeting.
Our Story
Missy Hartley is a real estate investor based in the New York/New Jersey area. She began her real estate career more than 20 years ago, when she bought a two-family house as a long-term rental.
Over the years, she has expanded her portfolio with additional buy and hold investments and started her own property management company.
In 2020, she expanded into the world of note investing and is the co-founder of The WIIN Group, where she serves as the Vice President of Acquisitions.
Missy actively connects with other real estate investors in the New York Capital Region, as well as note investing. Outside of her real estate endeavors, Missy began her career in aviation right out of college, where she worked for TWA and America West Airlines. In 2002, she transitioned into the public sector and currently serves as an Assistant Federal Security Director at an agency within the federal government.
During her downtime, Missy is eager to entertain her passion for travel. She frequently attends a variety of nationwide training and networking events to connect with other women on their journey to note investing.
You can find her on Facebook as a contributor in several real estate groups, such as “The WIIN Group”, “Lady Landlords”, and “Handywomen Northeast”.
Director of Acquisition
Meet Missy Hartley
Missy Hartley is a real estate investor based in the New York/New Jersey area. She began her real estate career more than 20 years ago, when she bought a two-family house as a long-term rental.
Over the years, she has expanded her portfolio with additional buy and hold investments and started her own property management company.
In 2020, she expanded into the world of note investing and is the co-founder of The WIIN Group, where she serves as the Vice President of Acquisitions.
Missy actively connects with other real estate investors in the New York Capital Region, as well as note investors nationwide.
Outside of her real estate endeavors, Missy began her career in aviation right out of college, where she worked for TWA and America West Airlines. In 2002, she transitioned into the public sector and currently serves as an Assistant Federal Security Director at an agency within the federal government.
During her downtime, Missy is eager to entertain her passion for travel. She frequently attends a variety of nationwide training and networking events to connect with other women on their journey to note investing.
You can find her on Facebook as a contributor in several real estate groups, such as “The WIIN Group”, “Lady Landlords”, and “Handywomen Northeast”.
Director of Acquisition
Meet Missy Hartley
Cynthia Hartley is a seasoned real estate investor and Associate Vice President at AECOM, balancing a successful corporate career with a passion for wealth-building through real estate.
She began her real estate journey in 2005 as an accidental landlord, quickly discovering a passion for investment opportunities that generate long-term wealth. Over the years, Cynthia expanded into acquiring multiple rental properties before diversifying into mortgage notes, mobile homes, and private money lending.
With a strategic focus on both active and passive real estate strategies, Cynthia has built a resilient portfolio designed for steady cash flow and wealth preservation.
By leveraging creative financing, market analysis, and risk management, she has successfully navigated shifting market conditions while continuing to grow and refine investment strategies.
Beyond personal investing, Cynthia enjoys sharing knowledge with aspiring investors, helping them explore alternative real estate opportunities that require minimal hands-on involvement. Thus, was born Women Investing in Notes – The WIIN Group.
Whether acquiring rental properties, structuring note investments, or funding deals as a private lender, Cynthia is dedicated to maximizing returns while minimizing risk.
Based in Washington, DC, Cynthia shares life with two beloved dogs, Crisco and Nina. When not exploring new investment opportunities, she enjoys traveling internationally for both business and leisure, constantly seeking new experiences and insights from global markets.
Meet Cynthia Hartley
Director of Investor Relations
Cynthia Hartley is a seasoned real estate investor and Associate Vice President at AECOM, balancing a successful corporate career with a passion for wealth-building through real estate.
She began her real estate journey in 2005 as an accidental landlord, quickly discovering a passion for investment opportunities that generate long-term wealth. Over the years, Cynthia expanded into acquiring multiple rental properties before diversifying into mortgage notes, mobile homes, and private money lending.
With a strategic focus on both active and passive real estate strategies, Cynthia has built a resilient portfolio designed for steady cash flow and wealth preservation.
By leveraging creative financing, market analysis, and risk management, she has successfully navigated shifting market conditions while continuing to grow and refine investment strategies.
Beyond personal investing, Cynthia enjoys sharing knowledge with aspiring investors, helping them explore alternative real estate opportunities that require minimal hands-on involvement. Thus, was born Women Investing in Notes – The WIIN Group.
Whether acquiring rental properties, structuring note investments, or funding deals as a private lender, Cynthia is dedicated to maximizing returns while minimizing risk.
Based in Washington, DC, Cynthia shares life with two beloved dogs, Crisco and Nina. When not exploring new investment opportunities, she enjoys traveling internationally for both business and leisure, constantly seeking new experiences and insights from global markets.
Meet Cynthia Hartley
Director of Member Relations
woodworking is her latest creative endeavor
Karen enjoys spending time outdoors and in her garden
she loves traveling
Karen has a lifelong passion for interior home design and hands-on residential remodels
Quick Facts About Karen
Karen Shelton is a versatile real estate investor with a diverse background in syndications, hard money lending, distressed mortgage notes, and asset management.
Karen’s passion for real estate extends beyond her own portfolio. She enjoys working with Dan Deppen at Fusion Notes, has been interviewed by the Real Estate Investing Goddesses and has coached women investors across the country.
Through The WIIN Group, she is dedicated to inspiring and supporting women, demonstrating that there is a place for them in the world of note investing.
Her next chapter includes expanding into property and land investments, fostering collaborations with fellow investors, and advancing her mission to educate and empower women in note investing.
Before transitioning into real estate, Karen spent a decade successfully overseeing a thriving physical therapy clinic in the upscale beach communities of Hermosa and Manhattan Beach, CA. There, she honed her skills in operations management, financial oversight, and team leadership — skills that now serve her well in cultivating industry relationships and guiding investment decisions.
A Southern California native, Karen resides in Arizona with her husband. Together, they enjoy traveling, spending time with their three grown children and two grandchildren.
Director of Industry Relations
Meet Karen Shelton
Let's connect
Let's connect
Let's connect
Diversity
Integrity
Respect
Empowerment
Commitment
Transparency
We educate, support, and inspire women globally to build wealth and create a secure future through note investing. We empower one another to become the women we deserve to be.
Core Values
D.I.R.E.C.T.
Diversity
Integrity
Respect
Empowerment
Commitment
Transparency
We educate, support, and inspire women globally to build wealth and create a secure future through note investing. We empower one another to become the women we deserve to be.
Core Values
D.I.R.E.C.T.
Let's connect
The WIIN Group is a supportive community of women growing wealth through mortgage note investing.
Whether you're new or experienced, you’ll find education, resources, and real opportunities to connect and collaborate.
We’re building something powerful—together.
We’d love for you to be part of it.