On Thursday, March 6th, we hosted our annual Titans of Industry: Women in Real Estate Brunch at the East Bank Club. During the brunch, a variety of women leaders in the real estate community shared their stories and tips on peace, profit and power. Check out some of our favorite takeaways from the event below.
Remember that Health is Wealth
Dr. Marilyn Griffin, a double board-certified psychiatrist, delivered insights on the often-overlooked connection between mental health and business success. “True success is not just about profit,” she reminded us. “It’s about having the peace and well-being to enjoy the fruits of our labor.” Her advice? Recognize stress symptoms early, invest in your health like you invest in your business and create a life that feeds your soul, not just your resume.
Create a Recipe For Success
Melanie Miller, a top producer with Keller Williams ONEChicago, shared her recipe for success:
- Define your niche clearly
- Embrace collaboration
- Build a community with your clients
Her secret weapon? Treating clients like family and leveraging social media to create genuine connections.
Keeping Our Greatest Responsibility in Mind
One of the most critical roles of a real estate professional is to uphold fair housing practices. Recent news stories about appraisal bias and discrimination against voucher holders underscore the importance of this issue. As Amy Hall, Caton Commercial Real Estate Group, poignantly stated, “There is no greater responsibility that we have as real estate professionals than to uphold fair housing.”
This responsibility extends beyond residential real estate into the commercial sector as well. We must be vigilant in recognizing and addressing discrimination in all its forms, even when it means making difficult decisions about who we choose to work with.
The Power of Gratitude and Connection
In an industry often focused on transactions, the Decision Makers in Real Estate Panel, featuring Michelle Mills Clement, our Chief Executive Officer, Amy Corr, @properties | Christie’s International Real Estate, Amanda Stinton, Women’s Council of REALTORS® and our 2025 President Erika Villegas highlighted the profound impact of personal touches. From handwritten notes to small, thoughtful gifts, these gestures can create lasting impressions and strengthen professional relationships. As Stinton shared, a note she received years after a speaking engagement reinforced “the importance of intentional gratitude.”