To help you get to know the members of this year’s Executive Committee, we asked them a series of questions regarding being a Realtor®, staying involved, and more!
Denise Mazone, President
What has been the best part about being on MAR’s Leadership team?
My voice is to be an inclusive leader. I am in a position to be a voice that has never been heard before in this space.
Why would you recommend others pursue association leadership?
It is important to be present when decisions are made. If you are not involved at the leadership level, then decisions are being made for you; and everyone’s experience has value and should be considered.
What are you most proud of doing so far in your role on the leadership team?
I’m proud of leading a couple of task forces with great realtors in completing a three-year strat plan and also in crafting an apology letter recognizing the wrongdoings against people of color, especially Black Minnesotans since the disparity gap is (46% to 25%) which disallowed them to build wealth by homeownership. Ultimately this leads to policy changes so we shall never go down that same road again.
Shae Hanson, Treasurer
What has been the best part about being on MAR’s Leadership team?
Connecting with the other involved Realtors®! There are so many passionate leaders in our local real estate community, and I have loved getting to know them, learning about their stories and collaborating with the shared interest in the betterment of the association and real estate industry.
Why would you recommend others pursue association leadership?
The real estate industry is so much bigger than simply servicing our buyers and sellers. I have found great value in engaging with government affairs to learn about how the actions and collaboration with municipalities and governing bodies affect our business and our clients. I also loved the networking and relationships I formed when on the Young Professionals Network and have learned a lot from them. My work on the Board of Directors and with the Finance Committee has taught me so much, as well, about running a business and governance of that type. The point is, there is something for everyone to grow themselves through learning and networking, outside of the daily (and sometimes lonely) grind of real estate sales.
What has been the most surprising thing about being on MAR’s leadership team?
There are many others who I serve with and who have come before me that inspire me to be better, in many areas. I have seen leadership change over and have taken lessons from many different leaders on the board, in committees and on staff at MAR. That is a gift that I am not sure I expected.
What are you most proud of doing so far in your role on the leadership team?
Generally speaking, I feel that I ask a lot of questions, which definitely grows my understanding of the scenarios and discussions that arise. I believe it does the same for others. I always walk into the room knowing there are many perspectives and styles of communication, and I seek first to understand.
What will continue to be part of the focus of the leadership team through the rest of this year?
The focus through the remainder of the year will be developing the annual plan for 2023 that feeds directly into the three-year strategic plan that was recently created, as well as getting started in that work.
How does being on the leadership team help you with a broader understanding of the real estate industry and the association?
This is in large part answered above. When working on my own business, it is a more inward focus on my small team with consideration of our sales and our clients. When working on the leadership team, I am outward-focused, considering greater threats and opportunities in the industry and thinking about the good of the industry and fellow Realtor® members.
What is the biggest thing you learned so far?
Change is certain. Being able to work alongside the rest of the leadership to adjust quickly (and with careful thought) is so important! Also, I have great respect for the roles the staff play. With great leadership at that level, we get so much more accomplished :).
Jerry Moscowitz, Secretary
What has been the best part about being on MAR’s Leadership team?
To be with other people who share the desire to give back and help make a difference in our industry.
Why would you recommend others pursue association leadership?
This is your career, your livelihood. You have an opportunity that not everyone gets. Outside of making a difference, gaining a better understanding of all the different areas that leadership needs to think of. It also makes you a better Realtor® for your clients.
What has been the most surprising thing about being on MAR’s leadership team?
All the different facets our committees’ work affects. We have 11 committees, and each one is important. When you hear the passion and commitment that our leaders have, you truly know how important making a difference is to them. The other surprising thing to me is how many great friends I have made because we share the same passion.
What are you most proud of doing so far in your role on the leadership team?
Being as involved as I can. I consider it an honor to serve on MAR’s leadership team. As a group, we try to look at the big picture. We look at the past (good and bad), the present and the future. Our group is determined to improve things in any area we can control.
What will continue to be part of the focus of the leadership team through the rest of this year?
We had a strategic plan on how to get better, we want to finish that strong while also looking ahead and looking to improve.
How does being on the leadership team help you with a broader understanding of the real estate industry and the association?
It is easy to get tied up with our personal business. That by itself can keep us very busy. There are so many things that you don’t necessarily think of. As an example, politics might be boring or divisive. But the reality is that legislation enacted can and does affect us and the clients we represent. So RPAC, which I might not have given to before, now that I understand the impact of what they do, this is no longer an expense, it is an investment into our industry that benefits my clients as well.
What is the biggest thing you learned so far?
Forget your broker colors, they don’t matter. I hope you are very happy with whatever broker you are with and I hope our brokers are happy, but what makes the association work is people from all different brokers coming together. We also don’t care if it is a big broker, mid-sized or small broker. Our association is made up of all of these and we want representation from all of these. I have been blown away by the people who have spent many years volunteering to make our association one of the best there is. I want to say a big thank you to those people who have stepped up and now we need more.
Todd Walker, Immediate Past President
What has been the best part about being on MAR’s Leadership team?
The members. Sharing experiences with and learning from the other Leaders plus helping shape the future direction of the association to protect the interests of our members and clients in real estate.
Why would you recommend others pursue association leadership?
If you care, then commit. We need you!
What has been the most surprising thing about being on MAR’s leadership team?
Despite our significantly different backgrounds, our values, goals and aspirations for clients and members are very much the same.
What are you most proud of doing so far in your role on the leadership team?
Being part of the strategic planning process to help set the priorities and shape the future plans for MAR.
How does being on the leadership team help you with a broader understanding of the real estate industry and the association?
It’s a continual learning experience. From national, state and local association interactions to community needs, there is always an opportunity to keep gaining new insights and knowledge about the business of real estate.
What is the biggest thing you learned so far?
How little I know, how much more I have to learn.