2019-2021 Class | Columbus Realtors

The Columbus REALTORS® Leadership Academy aligns with the association's commitment to strengthening central Ohio’s real estate community by building highly skilled leaders within the industry and community. The Academy curriculum consists of nine sessions, seven of which are intensely focused full-day programs designed to help students develop their expertise in business, public speaking, leadership, government, outreach and, of course, the real estate industry. More information on the Leadership Academy.

Leadership Academy Class of 2019-2021

Cody Butler, Keller Williams Consultants (Urban Living)

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Cody studied architecture at UNC Charlotte prior to transferring to The Ohio State University and graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. He’s now an established REALTOR® in the Columbus community focusing on downtown and surrounding neighborhoods and villages. Cody was selected by his peers to serve as president of the Midtown Area Realty Association, serving 3 years at the helm of the Association. He was recognized in 2020 as a Coldwell Banker Global 30 under 30 and a graduate of the Coldwell Banker King Thompson Leadership Program. Cody is also very active in the community, where he currently serves as a member of the Short North Rotary, participates in the Pelotonia Rider/Fundraiser and volunteers with Community for New Directions. An avid outdoorsman, Cody enjoys golfing, kayaking and hiking.

Ryan Conway, Keller Williams Consultants Realty

A life-long Ohio resident, Ryan currently resides in Powell. He graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Psychology. He received his real estate license in 2007 and was selected as a recipient of Columbus REALTORS® 10 Under 40 award in 2014, just prior to his 30th birthday. He serves on the Keller Williams Consultants Agent Leadership Council where he chairs the Technology Committee and is the office technology ambassador. He is also a member of the Greater Dublin, Powell and Greater Worthington Area Realty associations. Ryan volunteers with AmSpirit Business Connections, Dublin chapter, serves as networking director of the Columbus Young Professionals club and is a member of the 100 Men that Give a Damn. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, his jeep wrangler, smoking meats and playing with his children.

Jeffrey Cotner, RE/MAX One

Jeff was born and raised in Lancaster Ohio and, prior to his real estate career, spent 27 years as a firefighter/paramedic in the Bloom Township Fire Department. He earned his real estate license in 2009 and is a founding member and 2019 co-chair of the Columbus REALTORS® Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He also serves on the Ohio REALTORS® Equal Opportunity & Diversity Forum. Jeff is a member of the Tri-County Real Estate Association and the LBGT+ Real Estate Alliance. In addition, he is a recipient of the Knights of Columbus Blue Coat Award and the 2012 Box 15 Larry Parlett Distinguished County Firefighter of the Year Award and is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Wagnalls Memorial Foundation/Library. Jeff enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and going to the gym when time permits.

Lisa Evelinn, The Collective Consultants

A native of Columbus, Lisa earned her real estate license in 2016 and now holds the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE), Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) and the Accredited Staging Professional (ASP/RE) designations. She’s also served on the Association’s Government Affairs Forum and the Education and Standard Forms committees and serves on the Keller Williams Consultants Agent Leadership Council Education and Finance committees. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her children and reading.

Carie Igel, Fathom Realty Ohio

Carie was born in Columbus, lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for four years and upon moving back to Central Ohio, obtained her real estate license in 2006 as a residential real estate agent. She is a F.A.S.T. Mentor for her company and in 2017 became the District Director for Central Columbus which has her training agents and managing the Central Columbus office. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in textile sciences, Carie received the OSU Homecoming Honors Award in 1997 for Leadership and Service to the University. She serves on the Association’s Sustainability Forum and CORPAC Governing Board, is the 2021 Chair of the Government Affairs Forum, an RPAC Major Investor, REALTOR® Care Day volunteer and the recipient of the President's Excellence Sales award. Carie is also President of her neighborhood Civic Association and a fan of the Buckeyes and Columbus Crew. In her spare time, Carie loves to cook, garden, entertain, play golf, and spend time with her husband Nick and their two daughters Carson and Callan, and Doberman Argos.

Greg Kullman, Street Sotheby's International

A lifelong resident of Columbus, Greg earned his bachelor's in Economics Management from Ohio Wesleyan University and his MBA with a concentration in Marketing from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. Prior to getting his real estate license in 2014, he coached men's soccer at Bexley High School for 11 years and retired in 2013 as the Varsity Head Coach to focus on his career. Greg served as the Association's YPN Chair in 2018 and 2019 chair of the MLS Committee as well as vice president of Northwest Area Realty Association. In his spare time, Greg supports the Columbus Crew, Browns and his beloved Buckeyes. But, his favorite pastime is spending time with his wife, Kiki, and their twin boys, Cam & Kyle.

Betsy McCloskey, HER, REALTORS®

Born and raised in Columbus, Betsy holds a bachelor’s degree in History from The Ohio State University. Licensed in 1985, she and specializes in residential, relocation and investment real estate as well as management and agent development. She has served on Columbus REALTORS® Affordable Housing Committee and the Governmental Affairs Forum and is a CORPAC and Red Wagon donor. She’s also very involved in the community chairing or serving as a board member with numerous charities, including the Short North Rotary, Columbus Panhellenic Association, Columbus Academy Mothers Association and Habitat for Humanity. In her spare time, Betsy enjoys cooking, reading and taking walks.

Stephanie Rucinski, Coldwell Banker Realty

Stephanie holds both a law degree and an MBA from The Ohio State University, a graduate degree in international negotiations from Erasmus University, The Netherlands, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and management from Boston College. Prior to real estate, she was a stockbroker, software engineer, yoga instructor and public relations consultant and has owned her own business consulting firm and software firm. Since getting her real estate license in 2015, Stephanie has earned the e-Pro designation and the Association’s President's Excellence sales award and 2018 Rising Star of the Year award. She is a recipient of the Columbus Business First “Forty Under 40” award, an Ernst and Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” nominee and a Columbus Tourism “Ambassador of the Year” finalist. In the community, Stephanie has been an active participant with the New Albany Chamber of Commerce Mentorship Program, the New Albany Citizens Police Academy, VIPS (Volunteers in Public Safety Service) which is a division of the Department of Homeland Security, the AgriPower Leadership Development Program, Columbus Foundation, Experience Columbus, Habitat for Humanity and the Columbus Food Bank. In her spare time, Stephanie likes reading, hiking and cooking.

Vanessa Simmons, Coldwell Banker Realty

A resident of Pickerington, Vanessa received her BA from Philander Smith College and her Master’s in Public Administration from Bowling Green. After receiving her real estate license in 2005, she worked as an agent for nine years and then moved into management. Vanessa holds the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation and the Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®) certification. She is an elected Director for Columbus REALTORS and director liaison for the Housing Affordability and Community Partnership Committee as well as Chairperson for the Ohio Coldwell Banker Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. Vanessa volunteers for the Columbus Housing Partnership and the Columbus Urban League. Outside of business, she enjoys reading, swimming and traveling.

Marc Van Steyn, RE/MAX Premier Choice

After growing up in Westerville, Ohio Julie spent 15 years in Arizona working for a large restaurant developer before becoming a residential appraiser. She moved back to Ohio in 2002 and started her own home staging business. Julie obtained her real estate license in 2016 and received the HER Commercial Rookie of the Year award in 2018. A member of Columbus Commercial Industrial Investment REALTORS® (CCIIR) and Columbus Real Estate Women (CREW), she volunteers for different community fundraising events including, Night Flight Golf Charity Fundraiser, The Columbus Dream Center and Bowling with Buckeyes. She also started the “IMMA BE” girls' group to help address bullying in her girl’s school. Julie enjoys traveling with her family, cooking and being outdoors.
"I have discovered that Leadership is finding something you are passionate about and care about and then taking action to advocate for your cause."