06/19/2026
What a blessing this past week has been. I wanted to take a few days to reflect before putting my thoughts into words.
When I first began volunteering with my local REALTOR® association, I knew it would be an opportunity for growth and learning. What I didn’t realize was just how much there was to learn. Attending my first WVAR Quarterly Meeting and serving on the Board as President-Elect opened my eyes to the incredible work being done across our state and showed me how much more I could contribute. So I rolled up my sleeves, committed myself to learning, and prepared for the next step.
When I became President of the Parkersburg Area Association of REALTORS®, I felt ready. I understood the responsibilities ahead and the impact I hoped to make. Then I stepped into the WVAR Leadership Academy, and once again my perspective expanded.
This past week, our Leadership Academy class traveled to Washington, D.C., for the NAR Legislative Meetings. I arrived feeling prepared to advocate for homeowners and property rights. Yet once again, I was reminded that my view had been too small. Standing among REALTORS® from every corner of our nation, I realized just how vast our country is and how important our collective voice truly is when it comes to protecting homeownership and advocating for the communities we serve.
One of the highlights of the week was meeting with Shelley Moore Capito to discuss housing needs and the challenges facing homeowners and future homeowners. It was a powerful reminder that advocacy is not just about our local communities—it is about ensuring that the voices of our neighbors are heard at every level of government.
The week was filled with learning, networking, and experiences I will never forget. We walked countless miles, explored the NAR Expo, and were fortunate to spend time alongside both Virginia REALTORS® and the West Virginia Association of REALTORS®. We also became very familiar with the Metro system—although I think it would be more accurate to say we survived it than mastered it. More than once we found ourselves on the wrong train, heading in the wrong direction, and laughing our way through the adventure. Along the way, we built friendships with REALTORS® from across the country. Despite the distance between us, so many of us are facing the same challenges—housing shortages, affordability concerns, and interest rates that continue to make the dream of homeownership more difficult for many families.
But the moment that truly touched our hearts came away from the conference halls.
Our Leadership Academy class climbed into Ubers and headed to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C. We arrived knowing only one thing: we had three hours to prepare dinner for the families staying there. We were handed a cart full of ingredients, supplies, and recipes. We spread everything out, read through the instructions, gathered what we needed, and got to work.
There was no appointed leader. No one directing traffic. No committee assignments. There was simply a group of people united by a shared purpose.
Everyone stepped in where they were needed. Everyone contributed. What was expected to take three hours was completed in just over one hour because we worked together as a team.
The most meaningful part of the evening wasn’t the meal itself—it was meeting the families. Seeing parents and children facing challenges far greater than any of us could imagine was a powerful reminder of what service truly means. Their strength, resilience, and gratitude left a lasting impression on all of us.
As I reflect on this week, I am filled with gratitude—for the opportunity to learn, to serve, and to grow alongside an incredible group of leaders. This experience reminded me that leadership is not about titles or positions. It is about showing up, stepping forward, and finding ways to make a difference wherever you are.
This week showed me not only how much has been accomplished, but how much more we can do. It challenged me to think bigger, serve deeper, and continue growing long after Leadership Academy comes to an end. I can’t wait to see where we all go from here.
For that lesson, and for every person who shared this journey with me, I am truly grateful. ❤️
