Who we are
Ben West
Founder & Director of Business Operations
Ben West entered the real estate space after a wide range of professional experiences. Ben’s first foray into real estate came with the purchase of a HomeVestors franchise in 2018 and acquiring a real estate license in 2019. Between 2018 and 2021 he cut his teeth in real estate acquisitions and sales processes and built an understanding of how to buy and sell real estate successfully. In 2021 Ben was recruited by Imagine Homes Management to handle acquisitions of single family homes in the Cleveland market. He spent the next couple years sharpening his underwriting skills and building meaningful relationships with wholesalers, realtors, flippers, and other investors.
With degrees in psychology and social work, his early career was focused on helping people. That has not changed as he brings his service-focused mindset to the lending space. He loves helping borrowers build their businesses and helping lenders achieve stable returns on secured investments.
Mariah Stark-Ridgway
Founder & Director of Investor Relations
Mariah Stark-Ridgway is the founder and director of investor relations at Evergreen Lending, a private lending firm built on the values of strength, integrity, and long-term partnership. Since 2019, Mariah has successfully led over 200 real estate transactions across Northeast Ohio, combining deep market expertise with a hands-on, investor-first approach.
Drawing from her background as a HomeVestors franchise owner and her experience in education and sales leadership, Mariah brings a unique blend of strategic insight, clear communication, and unwavering transparency to every investor relationship. She is passionate about making real estate investing accessible, profitable, and aligned with community impact.
At Evergreen Lending, Mariah is dedicated to helping borrowers grow and investors thrive — one deal at a time.
Dawn Hryshko
Founder & Director of Finance
Dawn Hryshko, CPA, is a Strategic and Exit Planning Advisor with over 30 years of experience delivering tax, business, and financial strategies to closely held and family-owned businesses. Throughout her career, she has developed extensive expertise in real estate ventures. Known for being a passionate connector, Dawn consistently leverages her network to link individuals and businesses with valuable resources, knowledge, and services that can help them grow and succeed.
