JANUARY 22, 2026
[MINNEAPOLIS, MN] – Minneapolis Area Realtors® (MAR) announced the winners of 15 industry excellence and real estate production awards at their annual event, The MAR Awards: Unlocking Excellence at Quincy Hall in Northeast Minneapolis on January 22, 2026. These prestigious awards highlight the outstanding accomplishments of MAR members in the past year, recognizing those who have exhibited excellence, innovation, and leadership in their work. In order to be eligible, one must be an active Minneapolis Area Realtor® member and champion Realtor® values around Fair Housing and Ethics.
Minneapolis Area Realtors® 2026 Award Winners & Nominees are as follows:
Scholarships:
These scholarship winners will receive a fully funded trip to the 2026 National Association of Realtors® mid-year conference in Washington, D.C., giving them the opportunity to engage with policymakers and see the association’s advocacy work in action. For more information on these scholarships and criteria, click here.
Ann Brockhouse Future Leader Scholarship:
April Wehlander | ReRoot Group, Keller Williams Integrity Lakes
Jean Leake Emerging Markets Scholarship:
Dayolin Dairo | The Real Estate Atelier
Dilek Hanedar | Engel & Völkers
Fran Davis Excellence in Advocacy Scholarship
Karen Nielsen | Lakes Sotheby’s International Realty
Industry Excellence Awards:
Realtor® of the Year:
Shannon Brooks | Compass
Recognizes a member who has displayed sincere commitment and devotion to the residential real estate industry and the community. This person encapsulates the Realtor® spirit and the high principles of integrity, adherence to the code of ethics, principles of good real estate practice, civic activity, and participation in local, state and national efforts.
Broker of the Year:
Richard Tucker | Compass
Recognizes a Broker member who demonstrates strong leadership and provides exemplary experience and knowledge to their brokerage, community and serves as a strong association champion. This person’s leadership has made a lasting impact on both their brokerage and the broader real estate community.
Rising Star:
Carissa Kemnitz | Coldwell Banker Realty
Recognizes up-and-coming leaders who are successful in their real estate career and have demonstrated enthusiasm, innovation and commitment to raising the bar in real estate. The award will aide in increasing professionalism in the industry and further develop future MAR leaders
Affiliate of the Year:
Jake Walton | US Bank
Recognizes an Affiliate member who has shown great enthusiasm and leadership for the Association. The award recipient is someone who has gone above and beyond the normal role as an Affiliate member to support and promote the real estate industry and the Realtor® members. The Affiliate Member of the Year is someone that shows dedication and involvement in both the organization as well as with the local community and clients.
Good Neighbor:
Steve Havig | Lakes Area Realty
Recognizes and celebrates members who make a positive impact on their community. This award highlights individual contributions within the real estate industry toward improving the livability of our communities, and supports non-profits doing the same.
Production Awards:
Winners and nominees are all Realtors® in good standing as of 10/31/2025. Production counts are based on the 12 month period of 10/1/2024-9/30/2025 as recorded in NorthstarMLS.
Rookie of the Year:
Ryan Quade | Coldwell Banker Realty
With fewer than 2 years of experience as a licensee, this Realtor® has built a strong business closing the most transactions amongst their rookie peers this year. Their unique hustle and heart are key to their impressive start in the industry.
Nominees:
Cory Gallagher | Hometown Realty
Jessica Skilar | Pemberton Real Estate
Luxury Lister Award:
Jeffrey Dewing | Coldwell Banker Realty
Honoring the agent who has dominated the luxury real estate market with the highest number of $1 million+ home sales this year. This award celebrates exceptional skill, market insight, and focus on relationships, solidifying this agent as a true leader in the high-end real estate market.
Nominees:
Luke Hanson | Luke Hanson Homes, Edina Realty
Ryan Platzke | Platzke Real Estate Group, Coldwell Banker Realty
Sales Momentum Awards
Celebrating exceptional growth and unstoppable drive, this award honors the Realtor® who achieved the largest year-over-year increase in number of closed deals. A true testament to dedication and market mastery, this agent has set a new standard of excellence and is on the fast track to even greater success!
Sales Momentum – Solo Agent:
Lisa Martell | Island View RealtyNominees:
Farhiya Ali | Keller Williams Realty Integrity
Melissa Genereux | Gener8 GroupSales Momentum – Individual on a Small Team (2-9 licensees):
Amina Mohamed | Black Dove Realty Group, eXp RealtyNominees:
Cindy Pelletier | Compass
Roxann Wiebusch | Reidell-Estey & Associates, RE/MAX ResultsSales Momentum – Individual on a Large Team (10+ licensees)
Nate Labatt | Pemberton Real EstateNominees:
Christa Golden | The Advisory Realty Group, Pemberton Real Estate
Joel Nelson | Real Broker
Premier Producer Award
Recognizing the agent with the most transactions completed this year, this award celebrates unparalleled drive and commitment to clients on both the buy and sell side. With every deal, this premier Realtor® has set the bar high leveraging industry knowledge, negotiation, and creativity to get results for their many clients.
Premier Producer – Solo Agent:
Mark Abdel | RE/MAX Advantage PlusNominees
Trenton Hogg | Redfin
Greg Lawrence | Home AvenuePremier Producer – Individual on a Small Team (2-9 licensees)
Kelly Brown | BROWN & Co Residential, eXpNominees:
Amber Broadway | Opendoor Brokerage
Amber Trapp | Ooendoor BrokeragePremier Producer – Individual on a Large Team (10+ licensees)
Kerby Skurat | Kerby & Cristina Real Estate Experts, RE/MAX ResultsNominees:
Daniel Desrochers | Desrochers Realty Group, eXp Realty
Mitchel Herian | Kris Lindahl Real Estate
Distinguished Brokerage Award
This prestigious honor goes to the real estate brokerage office that has achieved the highest average transactions closed per agent this year. A true reflection of teamwork, expertise, and a commitment to their clients, this brokerage has fostered a high-performing culture, consistently delivering top-tier results.
Distinguished Brokerage – Small Brokerage (2-9 licensees)
Ruby Realty, HopkinsNominees:
Engel & Völkers, Prior Lake
Savvy Avenue, LLC, Maple GroveDistinguished Brokerage – Medium Brokerage (10-99 licensees)
Hometown Realty Inc., HutchinsonNominees:
Homestead Road, Saint Louis Park
Opendoor Brokerage, LLc, Brooklyn CenterDistinguished Brokerage – Large Brokerage (100+ licensees)
RE/MAX Results, PlymouthNominees:
Coldwell Banker Realty, Excelsior
Keller Williams Integrity Lakes, Minneapolis
For questions about the event or awards, please contact Chelsea Dolan at ch******@*********or.com
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