2024 Titans of Industry: Women in Real Estate Toolkit

Born and raised in the Logan Square Neighborhood of Chicago, Tanya is the Designated Managing Broker/Owner of Main Event Real Estate Group.  Tanya has been in the business for 11 years & opened her brokerage, Main Event Real Estate Group, in 2018, alongside her husband, David Diaz.   

She offers her clients and her agents an outstanding level of service and training. Known by clients and colleagues alike for her perseverance, honesty and fairness. Tanya specializes in building a successful team of Realtor’s who provide services for residential & commercial properties.   

Beyond her role in the real estate industry, Tanya is involved in community service. She served two years as a Board Director for The National Association of Hispanic Realtors – Chicago Chapter & ended her term as Executive Secretary with the board.  Tanya currently serves as an active member of the Cubs Charities Community Council.  This program enables the youth to transform lives through the power of sports.  

With a passion for empowering individuals on their real estate journey, Tanya has co-authored an inspiring book and of one of Amazon’s Best Seller’s, “Latinas in Real Estate,” which launched in 2022. This powerful book, shares invaluable insights and expertise gained through years of navigating the dynamic real estate industry.  

In 2023, Tanya was recognized as a NAHREP Top 100 for the Midwest Region.  She was also recognized, early last year, as a 2022 Chicago Association of Realtors Top Producer. 

Being part of a “Champion Team,” is something Tanya is very familiar with. She is the mother of 3 boys and wife of 1996 U.S. Olympian, World Champion & National Hall of Famer, David Diaz, hence, why she named her company, Main Event Real Estate Group. Tanya is not just a broker/owner, she is a trusted partner on your journey to success in real estate.  

Bonita Harrison is the Chief Executive Officer and lead developer of Sunshine Management. Hailing proudly from Chicago, Bonita’s roots lie in the vibrant South Side of the city. Her educational journey led her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Illinois at Chicago, followed by a prestigious full-ride scholarship for a Master of Science in Mathematics.

Under Bonita’s guidance, her exceptional team has made significant contributions to the South Side of Chicago. Their endeavors include the development of over 100 units, which have not only revitalized distressed and underperforming properties but also created 300 jobs for local businesses owned by individuals from diverse backgrounds such as people of color, aging citizens, returning citizens, and women entrepreneurs. These efforts have resulted in an impressive $25 million increase in wealth within the Black community and an annual tax revenue of $250,000.

One of Bonita’s notable achievements was spearheading a coalition of five black developers in the “Buy Back the Block” initiative in the West Woodlawn community. This impactful endeavor garnered widespread media coverage due to its catalytic influence on the community and the preservation of black culture.

Bonita’s exceptional work has been acknowledged through numerous accolades and media recognition. In 2018, she became the first woman and first black person to be honored as the Developer of the Year by The Cook County Land Bank. Since then, she has graced the pages of esteemed publications such as the Chicago Sun-Times Real Estate section, Essence Magazine, Crain’s Magazine, and has been featured on NBC, ABC, Telemundo, WGN, WBEZ, CBS, and various other media outlets. The Chicago Urban League and many others have also acknowledged her remarkable impact in BIPOC communities.

Passionate about bridging the equity gap in BIPOC communities, Bonita has even extended her family’s involvement in the development industry, empowering her sister, brother, and 26-year-old daughter to become real estate developers. Through her guidance and support, she has helped professionals from various backgrounds, including electrical tradesmen, carpenters, laborers, and dentists, transition into successful real estate developers.

Collaboration forms the bedrock of Bonita’s success, as she firmly believes in the power of working together to effect positive change. Her unwavering commitment to revitalizing communities and empowering individuals continues to make a lasting impact in the lives of many.

Myra’s journey into the world of real estate is a testament to the enduring values instilled in her by her family, who hailed from the vibrant land of Thailand but set their sights on the bustling city of Chicago in pursuit of economic and educational opportunities. As a true Chicagoan from a young age, Myra imbibed the profound belief that true freedom of mind and body is found through education. 

In line with this cherished upbringing, Myra embarked on a relentless quest to enhance her real estate prowess from the beginning. She meticulously earned her Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation, a comprehensive blend of educational and production components. Her pursuit continued with acquiring the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, where she delved deep into the intricacies of foreclosure avoidance, particularly the world of short sales. 

Further bolstering her skill set, Myra mastered the Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) designation, honing her negotiation techniques, understanding the psychology of buying, mastering persuasion principles, and crafting meticulous planning methodologies. Her journey culminated in her candidacy for the esteemed Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation, where she delved into financial analysis, market analysis, user decision analysis, and investment analysis for commercial real estate – a prestigious distinction held by few commercial real estate brokers across the nation, signifying unparalleled competence and unwavering commitment. 

Concurrently, Myra attended the UIC’s Liautaud Graduate School of Business, immersing herself in the principles of Urban Real Estate and Land Economics, further expanding her knowledge horizons. 

Myra’s skill set transcends the ordinary boundaries of most real estate brokers, encompassing both the residential and commercial realms. She adeptly represents developers, business owners navigating real estate transactions, and a diverse array of investors, armed with a penchant for statistics that equips her to offer clients unparalleled financial, market, and investment analysis. 

Her expertise extends to performing exhaustive competitive product evaluations and providing due diligence, ensuring her clients are well informed in their purchase and investment decisions. Myra possesses the unique ability to showcase and elucidate the features and benefits of each property with a precision that impresses clients. 

But Myra’s prowess doesn’t stop there. She has meticulously assembled a team encompassing the multifaceted aspects of residential, commercial, and investment real estate. Together, they approach acquisitions with an objective, mathematical viewpoint, calculating cash-on-cash returns internal rates of return, and scrutinizing the organic growth and decline patterns of neighborhoods. Emerging real estate investment opportunities are identified with precision. 

With a commitment to integrity and a deep understanding of clients’ emotional journey, Myra forges partnerships that endure a lifetime. Her boundless energy and exceptional interpersonal skills ensure each client receives personal attention guaranteeing the highest level of service. 

Beneath Myra’s undeniable charisma lies a portfolio of real estate knowledge that few can rival, making her a force in the ever-evolving world of real estate. 

Lorena Ramirez and YUB Realty service the Chicago and Suburban areas in Illinois. Lorena is not only considered a provider of Excellent, Step-By-Step, Customer Service in real estate today but she and her team have helped over 1600 families with their foreclosure issues and challenges providing peace of mind and the best possible outcome for them.

Lorena and her team have conducted information seminars for home buyers, rehabbers, and people who were erroneously trying to prematurely sell their homes via a short sale, saving them all tens of thousands of dollars. She can help you buy or sell real estate and prides herself on GREAT negotiating skills, excellent customer service, stellar marketing for sellers, and swift response/staying on top of the market for buyers.

Lorena positions her sellers to WIN with an unmatched, highly aggressive marketing program designed to produce the best possible results for you!

Lorena has become a renowned specialist in short sales (from small homes up to the luxury market).

Her buyers have the advantage of working with a highly skilled Buyer’s Specialist to help locate and secure homes or sell a property quickly as many of the best deals sell even BEFORE they hit the Multiple Listing Service.

With over a decade of brokerage experience, Rebecca Thomson is one of Chicago’s leading real estate influencers. Known for her visionary leadership style, eloquence, and ability to inspire, she is a nationally sought after speaker and trainer, both on the real estate industry, and on leadership. Thomson is one of the most respected voices in Chicago’s real estate market and her reputation and experience are invaluable assets to the organizations she works with.

She is the Regional Vice President for Coldwell Banker in Chicago where is surrounded by an innovative and collaborative team and phenomenal agents. Thomson provides sound consulting, develops talent, and leverages her deep leadership and industry knowledge to ensure agents continue achieving an outstanding level of success.

Thomson’s expertise is sought after for high-level strategy and decision making and strategy development including service on a number of executive searches; most recently the CEO searches for both the National Association of REALTORS and the Chicago Association of REALTORS. She has been instrumental in developing strategic plans for organizations throughout the industry and is nationally recognized as one of the bright minds in real estate today.

In addition to being the 2018-2019 President of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Thomson also serves on the REALTOR® University Board of Regents, the Women’s Council National Executive Committee and both the Illinois and National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors.

Previously, Thomson led the training, coaching, and business development for Chicago-based at properties where, in just 4 years, she helped grow the company from 1200 to 2200 agents. From content creation to tech rollouts and targeted initiatives like the creation of the Top100, Thomson established at properties’ elite status in training and innovation.

Prior to at properties, Thomson hailed from Sotheby’s International Realty where she handled residential sales, luxury leasing, and new construction.

Outside of real estate, Thomson is dedicated to her community and recently completed a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Union League Club of Chicago and a two-year term on the Step Up Chicago Board, which supports and empowers girls from under-resourced communities. 

When communities are left in great disparity, seemingly without any hopes of being revitalized, it is common for residents, businesses and others to flee. Nicole’s great passion is bringing communities back to life again by empowering people to build strategies and learn to work with one another to make progressive change. Nicole J-Wheatly is a Community Development Consultant that specializes in revitalizing neighborhoods.  

Highly inspired Nicole J-Wheatly has worked over the past 20 years as a Community Development Planner with a strong emphasis in Business and Housing Development. She was the Founder of Sensual Steps Shoe Salon a premiere high fashion shoe boutique in the heart of the Bronzeville community. She also owns, Steps Inc. Consulting, a community development organization that provides comprehensive community plans to improve the quality of businesses, housing, education, social services and health/security. Nicole is the Founder of Providing U Motivation to Pursue Success, known as P.U.M.P.S., it is a nonprofit education and neighborhood revitalization organization that is committed to strengthening neighborhoods and lives through homeownership and business creation.  

Nicole has appeared on NBC, ABC, CLTV, WFLD, FOX, Steve Harvey Show, ABC’s Shark Tank Reality Television program, Monique Caradine Fox TV Taping, JET and EBONY Magazine, Footwear News Publication and local/national radio shows.  

Nicole, a graduate of DePaul University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, has also earned the Urban Public Policy Certificate of Graduate Studies at the University of Illinois. She has completed her Masters of Art’s Degree in Applied Professional Studies at DePaul University and focused on “Urban Studies” Nicole graduated in 2008 with Honors.  

Nicole host seminars and special events to encourage business and housing development.  

Amy Duong Kim, Senior Broker and Founding Member, is an alumna of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science. Prior to her real estate career, she worked as an actuarial consultant. Amy’s ability to adapt quickly to the real estate market has allowed her to take each opportunity as a learning moment— ultimately creating a stepping stone that really helped accelerate her career. She has been able to help many people find and sell their homes, and is also extremely proficient on the commercial side.

In 2005, Amy Duong Kim decided to leave the corporate world to pursue a career in real estate where she joined her family’s brokerage. Amy quickly learned the value in attentive service and tough negotiation, while keeping the utmost professionalism. Quickly advancing in her career, Amy became managing broker a year later. Here, she laid out a foundation that instilled her family’s business values into her own practice.

In 2013, Amy made the move and joined Jameson Sotheby’s where she was able to provide her clients with a well known brand, while always practicing the same level of commitment. Amy was promoted to Vice President, Sales in the Gold Coast office three years later. Simultaneously, during this time, her husband Howard Kim began helping organize her deals. Both maximizing individual strengths mixed with an unexpected change in Howard’s career, they were able to organically create Duong Kim Global.

After 16 years in the Chicago real estate market, DKG made the move and as founding members joined Compass, a technology-driven real estate company. Fusing the best of a brokerage and startup, it has allowed them to elevate their business and provide clients with the best service possible.

At such a level of success, it’s no surprise that Duong Kim Global’s core principles are heavily guided by family-first motto. The team’s “client-first” approach has not only allowed them to stay in the top 1% of agents, but has also helped in assembling a diverse team of up and coming agents that are truly passionate about helping people find their place in the world, their home.

Amy’s achievements include accolades from the Chicago Association of Realtors, Chicago Agent Magazine, Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty, and five-star reviews on Yelp, Linkedin, and Zillow. She has consistently ranked on RealTrends nationally and has been featured in TimeOut Chicago, Chicago Tribune, Curbed, Yahoo, Wall Street Journal, ABC News and The Today Show with NBC. 

Nelly has been leading Su Familia Real Estate Brokers since 1997. She operates under an open-door policy, coaching, supporting and training agents on a hands-on basis to help them achieve their goals.

Throughout her career, Nelly has continued to excel by serving on several Real Estate committees. She has earned the following designations:

• ABR, SFR, CRB, ADPR, EPRO, PSA, AWREP

She is also a licensed instructor for Real Estate Pre-Licensing courses and licensed to teach continuing education classes as well. Nelly is a graduate of Saint Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Graham School Management.

In 2018 Nelly was named Managing Broker of the year by the Chicago Association of Realtors. Besides overseeing the management of Su Familia offices, Nelly actively assists clients by guiding them with a calm and steady hand to sell or buy their homes!

She is happily married and the mother of 3 children. She is part of various committees at her children’s schools, and also a soccer mom! Experience, Professionalism, Knowledge, Honesty; Nelly is leadership at its best!

Kimberly Offord has been described as a dedicated public servant determined to make a difference in the lives of those who see homeownership as only a dream. She is a real estate managing broker, an author, an educator and an entrepreneur who always allows her passions to direct her life path.

In 2006, Kimberly began a career in the real estate industry. From 2006 to 2015 she worked at Supreme Manor Real Estate, a small boutique brokerage in Chicago. It is from the experience of working in a “collaborative atmosphere” that she credits making her a stronger and more well-rounded broker. In 2015, she opened her own brokerage, Offord Associates Real Estate in Chicago. In December 2017, Kimberly joined Fathom Real Estate as a Designated Managing Broker and District Director opening the first Fathom Realty office in the city of Chicago. Currently she is a Broker with Coldwell Banker Realty and continues to sell in the Chicagoland areas while mentoring and coaching new and emerging Realtors.

She is a member of the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR), the Illinois and National Association of Realtors. She has also served as a past Board of Directors member for the Chicago Association of Realtors Education Foundation. She is a past Vice Chair and Chair of the Professional Development Committee for CAR. She is also a member of the CAR Diversity Committee and the “CAR 77.” Both organized to promote and celebrate the associations commitment to diversity in the Chicago communities.

In all that Kimberly undertakes professionally and personally, she is devoted to promoting financial freedom and actively performing community service. She has conducted free financial workshops and has written several blogs promoting wealth and financial responsibility. She has served as keynote speaker for graduations, workshops and community empowerment fairs.

Kimberly is a Chicago native who received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College Chicago and a Master of Science Degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Both degrees were in the area of Integrated Marketing Communications. Kimberly is a faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church and an active member of the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. a national public service organization.

Kimberly’s personal motto: “Infinite thoughts create endless possibilities.” This she exemplifies in her daily life.

As Vice President of Education with @properties | Christie’s Intern national Real Estate, Rachel Scheid provides unmatched marketing support, meaningful coaching and personalized attention to her agents. Her main focus is to bring her agents to the next level, helping them grow their business and enhance their skill set.

As an expert in the industry, Rachel provides coaching and accountability as she works one-on-one with agents to help them create and operate sustainable Real Estate businesses. Operational excellence is at the heart of any well-run business and is a critical pillar of Rachel’s skillset. Throughout her 10-plus years in the industry, Rachel has created programs to help develop Realtors in their careers. Whether you are a newly licensed agent looking to start your career, an agent focused on annual production growth, or looking to start and/or run your team more effectively, Rachel’s guidance and business-focused coaching will keep you on track to achieving your goals.

Lanora Tolliver is a leader in the real estate education and professional development fields. With 20+ years of real estate experience as a broker, investor, consultant and appraiser, she has won numerous awards, including the “Rookie of the Year” award in 2004 for more than $2 million in closed sales within a two-month period.   

In her time with the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Lanora has often been the first point of contact for prospective Realtors®, advising them on not only the curricular requirements, but also on the perspective and sustained professional development necessary to succeed in Chicago’s real estate market. Lanora is seen as an invaluable resource with her advice, insight and energy. Her nurturing style has helped thousands of students transition into their own real estate career.   

As the Senior Manager of Enrollment and Advising for the REALTORS® Real Estate School (RRES), Lanora strategically helped to increase enrollments by 150% during a time of employment uncertainty. She promotes the Association’s educational benefits to members and non-members to generate awareness, interest, and participation in CAR courses, advising on right-fit educational products to the learner based on their needs and wants. In addition, she represents RRES at public-facing events to speak with prospective students about careers and professional development in real estate, including liaising with Designated Realtors® to help promote the benefits of the RRES programming.  

Now you’ve been warned if you spend any time with Lanora, she will brainwash you into believing in yourself and knowing you can achieve anything.

Chicago native Antje Gehrken brought over 20 years of experience in real estate, including representing investors, homeowners, lenders, and property and asset managers to her position as 2022 CAR President. She has been involved in a variety of committees and work groups over the years, including the Finance Committee, Professional Development Advisory Group and Treasurer of the CAR Foundation Board of Trustees. She is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation, held by only 6% of commercial real estate professionals. She serves as a mentor for the Goldie B. Wolfe Miller Women Leaders in Commercial Real Estate Initiative and has been recognized as the Women’s Council of REALTORS®’ 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year. 

Iowa born and bred, Lindsay Miller has called Chicago home for over 20 years now. Through her two decades in the Second City, she started her career in consulting then transgressed to higher education. After obtaining her Masters, she entered real estate where she instantly felt home. A decade later, Lindsay is an expert in her field and is consulted by top brokerages for her insight and organizational growth intel. “I love the energy of the real estate industry. I’ve been on the administrative side for the better part of eight years now, and I can say without a doubt that I will always remain active in this industry.”

When not helping her team be the best they can be, you can find Lindsay her pup, at the gym, or trying the latest vegetarian hot spot.

Bertina M. Power is an active broker for Engel & Völkers Chicago serving as a professional Real Estate consultant with 20+ years of real estate experience. She is the current Membership Director of Women’s Council of Realtors West Suburban Chapter and serves on the Chicago Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) D77 Committee representing the Kenwood Neighborhood. She is also a real estate investor with new construction sales experiences who provides services to individuals and corporations in the Urban Real Estate markets. She mentors business professionals as a Success Strategist. 

Bertina served as Regional Trainer for Coldwell Banker from 2018-2019. She most recently hosted a weekly popular talk show, “EmPower Hour” on social media. She served, from January 2016-December 2017, as the 50th President of Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated while simultaneously serving as President of AKArama Foundation, Inc., a not for profit organization dedicated to providing service to the Woodlawn community as well as Chicagoland residents. As President, she was responsible for presiding over 400 members and left a “Legacy of Leadership.” 

Bertina is an Licensed Illinois Real Estate Managing Broker, Continuing Education Instructor (CE), Receivership Institute Specialist (RIS) designee, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) designee, Graduate REALTOR ® Institute (GRI) designee, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designee and Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designee. She has also been a member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. She is a member of National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), Women’s Council of REALTORS®, Chicago Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Northern Illinois Regional MLS, Illinois Association of Realtors, Multi- Million Dollar Sales Club, Jack and Jill of America Chicago Chapter, Chicago Hampton Alumni Chapter and Lindblom High School Alumni Association. Bertina has been a Board Member of YMCA of Chicago, Realtist Women of Illinois (RWCI) and Dearborn Realtist Board (DRB). She was also an active Illinois Licensed Real Estate Appraiser 2000-2001. 

Bertina graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hampton University in Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Bertina was honored as a 2018 African American Game Changer Entrepreneur, Chicago Defender’s Women of Excellence for 2017 and the recipient of Phi Beta Sigma’s Fraternity’s Crescent Moon Award for Leadership. She has been published in Who’s Who in Black Chicago Real Estate 2009, Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women “Honors Edition,” and Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women in Real Estate. Bertina has also appeared on various HGTV programming as Chicago’s realtor of choice in “My House is Worth What?” “National Open House”, and “Designed to Sell.” 

Bertina is a motivational speaker and author of the two time best selling prolific yet practical guide to accessing and releasing the true power within entitled, “The POWER of You! | No one is You, and that’s your POWER!” Bertina unveils the necessary actions that encourage personal success and growth. She helps others release ‘stifling beliefs’ so they are no longer confined by internal and external barriers. 

Her larger-than-life presence exudes confidence, authenticity, fearlessness and of course, POWER to everyone she encounters. 

Bertina is a Chicago native who brings a deep interest and love for the Chicagoland area to her work and her life. She has served in leadership positions, such as President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary,Sergeant-at-Arms, and other leadership roles in various organizations. Her leadership qualities in combination with her interpersonal skills, personal values, clear goals, and persevering spirit has helped to bring her to where she is today. 

Bertina has two sons and in December 2017 partnered with Educational Advancement Fund (EAF) to establish a scholarship endowment fund, in honor of her youngest son who has severe cerebral palsy, that will provide scholarships to special needs students seeking higher education. 

Bertina says what keeps her going is an abiding belief that her work truly helps people!

Vicky has been one of Chicagoan‘s premier agents for a decade. Her success has been based in whole upon extreme client service and skills that extend over every facet of real estate. Many of her clients have proclaimed her a sibyl- due to her prophetic like abilities to place them in neighborhoods whose values subsequently explode after purchase.

Vicky has been a manager, instructor, mentor, partner, and investor in brokerage and investment partnerships alike. She has mentored many of the city’s top agents instilling in them with her categorical imperative about client service.

With over 10 years of experience as Real Estate Broker, Vicky brings a high level professionalism, personal attention, and customer service to the home buying and selling experience.

Erika’s mission is to inform and guide you through this important process by providing unparalleled professionalism, market knowledge and honesty.

Having a bilingual business platform and as a co-owner of RE/MAX In The Village give her the advantage to help you achieve your real estate goals. As a consistent top 1% producer of the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR) and a top 250 Latino Real Estate Agents by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) she is ready to assist with your real estate needs.