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Leadership Academy

Education & Events / Leadership Academy

Michigan Realtors® Leadership Academy

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR 2025. THANK YOU FOR APPLYING.

The Michigan Realtors® Leadership Academy develops leaders who have demonstrated leadership potential through job-related and community activities, creating a network of industry experts across the state who are actively involved in improving our Association and profession.

Purpose

  1. Identify emerging Realtor® leaders and potential Association leadership; 
  2. Empower those individuals to maximize their leadership potential; 
  3. Encourage those individuals to effectively participate in Association committee/leadership roles; 
  4. Ensure those individuals are avid advocates for the real estate industry.

Who should apply?

Ideally, applicants may have served on the Local Realtor® level and/or have potentially had some experience at the state (Michigan Realtors®) or national (NAR) level. Applicants will have demonstrated an energetic commitment to expand their knowledge and involvement in the industry.

As only a limited number of participants will be selected annually, applicants who are not selected for a given year are encouraged to reapply in subsequent years.

Requirements

  • Participation in the MRLA is open to Michigan Realtors® living in the state of Michigan.
  • Attendance at all retreats and sessions is mandatory.
  • Members of the class are expected to be punctual as well as be active participants in the program.
  • Members of the class are allowed one excused absence. The absence will result in the participant not graduating with his/her class.
  • The absence may be made up during the following year’s program and the participant will then graduate with the next class.
  • All meals, overnight accommodations for scheduled class sessions and class materials are included with the program.
  • Tuition is charged to each participant and may be covered personally, by your local association/board, your broker or any combination. The remaining costs of the program are underwritten by special funding from the Michigan Realtors®. Attendees will be responsible for travel expenses and room rate difference if single occupancy is desired. See tuition details in application link below.

What is the commitment?

To graduate from MRLA, the participant is required to attend all sessions:

  • Session 1: 2025 Achieve
    MotorCity Casino Hotel
    Wednesday, January 29 – Friday, January 31
  • Session 2: 2025 Broker Summit/Fair Housing Summit 
    The Westin Book Cadillac
    Monday, April 7 – Wednesday, April 9 *tentative
  • Session 3: Legislative and NAR Leadership Session
    Michigan Realtors® Headquarters
    June 2025 – Exact Date TBD
  • Session 4: 2025 The Convention
    Amway Grand Plaza Hotel & DeVos Place
    Tuesday, October 7 – Friday, October 10

All confirmed dates will be announced to accepted participants.

Type or print your responses and complete each section of the online application as completely as possible. A recent photograph suitable for use in publications must be attached to this application. Please submit two letters of recommendation. One letter should be from a local or state Association Executive, officer, director, or committee chair. Michigan Realtors® staff cannot provide recommendations. Since the number of participants is limited, applicants who are not selected are encouraged to reapply in subsequent years.

Application, photograph and letters of recommendation must be submitted by NOVEMBER 8, 2024.

Questions? Contact:
Michelle Brant, Member Experience Project Manager
Mbrant@mirealtors.com

Class of 2025

Erin Galinac, Greater Metropolitan/Ann Arbor
Jessica Brutzman, Aspire North
Christopher Speer, Greater Kalamazoo
Randi Brandt, Greater Metropolitan
Melissa Degen, Greater Metropolitan
Lindsey Dykstra, Greater Regional Alliance
Maria Kauffman, Greater Regional Alliance
Kathleen Furlong, Grosse Pointe
Wesley Stamper, Livingston County
David Kimbrough, North Oakland County
Deanna Coleman, Southeastern Border
Michael Fisher, Southwestern Michigan
Kelley Reitzel, West Central
Kristen Oegema, West Michigan Lakeshore

Class of 2023

Todd Waller, Ann Arbor Area Board
Suzzette Deaux, Greater Kalamazoo Association
Wanda Williams, Greater Lansing Association
Michael VanderWoude, Greater Regional Alliance
Gino Tozzi, Grosse Pointe Board
Melissa Vandercook, Jackson Area Association
Danielle Stepp, Lenawee County Association
Donald Putkela, Livingston County Association
Andrea Belding, Montcalm County Association
Ann Peterson, North Oakland County Board
Lisa Wright, Southwestern Michigan Association
Linda Sherwood, Water Wonderland Board
Mark Oegema, West Michigan Lakeshore Association

Class of 2020-2021

Hassan Ahmad, Dearborn
Melissa Botsford, GMAR
Michele Brown, GKAR
Karin Buda, SWMAR
Aaron Fox, GLAR
Kittyanne Hudson, Jackson
Renae Johnson, GMAR
Rachel Major, GRAR
Bryant Mitchell, GRAR
Tracy Rose, Ann Arbor
Jaye Sanders, GMAR
Kellie Sergent, Traverse City
Devon Smith, GMAR
Carrie Vos, GRAR

Class of 2018

Jenifer Rachel, NOCBOR
Jack Brown, AAABOR
Toni Jennings, GMAR
Larry Henney, GMAR
Tracey Hernly, GLAR
Ursel Mayo, Grosse Pointe
Roger Kopernik, Water Wonderland
Patty Lauten, SWMAR
Chase Gonion, ETAR
Renee Malburg, MOMBOR
Shane McKenzie, Livingston
Judy Jordan, BCAAR

Class of 2017

Pam Bartling - Greater Metropolitan
Al Block - Greater Metropolitan
Rob Buelow - West Michigan Lakeshore
Kamal Cheeks - Detroit
Lisa Coe - Grand Rapids
James Cristbrook - Greater Metropolitan
James Dewling - Livingston County
Jodie Franklin - Ann Arbor Area
Pete Holoway - Greater Lansing
Alan Jeffries - Greater Kalamazoo
Esther Leonard - Battle Creek Area
Marianne McCreary - Livingston County
Frank Rhames - Lenawee County
Mark VanDusen - Southwestern Michigan

Class of 2016

Robbin Barnes - Greater Metropolitan
Nicole Bartolomucci - Livingston County
Ashley Dietch - Grand Rapids
Terry Frewen - Greater Lansing
Chris Germain - Upper Peninsula
Karen Greenwood - Greater Metropolitan
Karla Huitsing - Grand Rapids
Stephanie Jones - Upper Peninsula
Greg Miller - Greater Kalamazoo
Debi Raymond - East Central
Natalie Rowe - Greater Kalamazoo
Fred Pickens - Detroit
Michelle Teitsma - West Michigan Lakeshore
Katie Weaver - Greater Metropolitan