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.
Rachel was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She worked for 21 years at UnitedHealthcare, then became licensed at the end of 2018, received the President's Merit Award, became a Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTC) and is LOVING what she does!
Her parents instilled the values of honesty, hard work, the value of a person's word and giving back and volunteering in the community. Rachel hsa volunteered on local Community Recreation Council, church festival committee, Ronald McDonald House, is the vice president of the Indian Lake Development corporation (ILDC), has coached many sports teams and is now working and doing something she has always wanted to do- helping people buy and sell homes.
"I am looking forward to gaining more tools and knowledge through the Leadership Academy; to help me be the best that I can be."
Jordan was born and raised in Bellefontaine, Ohio and has lived in Columbus for the last 20 years. She grew up watching her parents flip houses, turn old buildings new again and design amazing spaces- that sunk in. After leaving THE Ohio State University, real estate seemed like the next obvious step in her life. Jordan has 3 crazy but amazing kids, Leighton, Genevieve, and Luca and a puppy son, Winston. Her kids keep her incredibly busy with sports, art and, of course, their antics!
When Jordan isn't working in real estate, she's renovating old homes and buildings just like her parents did! Jordan and her husband, and sometimes the kids, have tackled several homes around the city of Columbus and turned them into masterpieces that have set record high sales in every neighborhood! She also acts as ambassador for her brokerage and is consistently helping other agents get their bearings and achieve their goals in this industry through training!
The McBride family most recently moved back to Jordan's hometown of Bellefontaine, and purchased her childhood home where they are renovating into their dream home. This is where Jordan finds true happiness- demoing walls and designing spaces! If you don't see her with one of the kids, or a hammer in hand, or at a showing, she's most definitely in the garden barefoot!
Deborah Smallwood has called Groveport, Ohio her home for over 40 years now. After running a successful daycare for over 25 years, she decided to retire and start a new career. Deborah attained her real estate license in 2018 and continued her education through Columbus State Community College.
In 2020, she graduated with her Associate degree in Real Estate and shortly after in February 2022, she received her brokers license with the state of Ohio. She has lead the Columbus branch of Serenity Realty since 2020.
As is that didn’t keep her busy enough, Deborah also has seven children all of which are very active in sports, so you can usually find her at a practice with her laptop (or a good book!). In her spare time, she enjoys video games, horror movies and Elvis.
Chris Harrington is a Broker Associate, Partner Agent, Training Consultant and Community Office Owner with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in Columbus, Ohio. During her 30+ years in Real Estate, she has worked not only as a sales agent, but as a multi-site manager in property management, and a sales training consultant through her own training company and for HER, REALTORS® /Howard Hanna. She has used her diverse background and experiences in the industry to train, coach, and mentor agents all while creating and running a successful real estate business.
Chris was the 2021 Chair of the Columbus REALTORS® Education Committee. She has also been a member of the CORPAC Fundraising Committee, Member Services Committee, and Affordable Housing Committee. She has been involved with the USO Toy Drive since 2014, has served on the local Board of Directors for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA). As an advocate for animal welfare, Chris is a supporter of the Humane Society, Animal Welfare Association and Colony Cats (and Dogs). Chris has earned the professional designations of Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), Certified New Home Sale Professional (CSP), REALTOR® Commitment to Excellence (C2EX), Certified Real Estate Mentor (CREM) and At Home with Diversity (AHWD) which she is also certified to train. She attended THE Ohio State University and is a graduate of the NINJA Selling Installation Program and the Floyd Wickman Program. Chris has attended the Floyd Wickman Platform Speakers Academy and won Top Speaker. She even received a perfect score from one of the judges on the final presentation!
In her spare time, Chris and her husband, Bill, are avid golfers and members of Hickory Hills Golf Club. Chris also plays throughout the summer in local tournaments with the Columbus District Golf Association (CDGA).
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A native of California, Krysta moved to Columbus, Ohio in 2016 and attained her real estate license that same year. In addition to California and Ohio, Krysta has also called Concord, North Carolina and Burleson, Texas home in the past. Prior to getting her real estate license, Krysta freelanced for ESPN as an Operations Manager on location for the NHRA Drag Racing Series and in studio when she lived in North Carolina. Krysta also loved being an active volunteer at her son’s school and was eventually recruited by the staff and started substitute teaching in both North Carolina and Texas.
Krysta has always been an active volunteer, no matter where she has lived, and that was no different when she arrived in Ohio. She is a weekly volunteer with Nationwide Children's Hospital, a team lead for the Clubhouse Ambassadors during The Memorial Tournament, past president and current treasurer of the performing arts boosters, and a “Band Mom”/chaperone for her son and the 200+ Marching Pioneers. Krysta is also current President of the Lewis Center Realty Association, Golf Chair of the Westerville Area Realty Association, Co-chair for Foundation Fundraising and Ohio Association of Realtors Director.
Krysta is taking in every moment of her son’s senior year (Class of 2023) at Olentangy Orange High School and is looking forward to joining her husband on the road at more NHRA Drag Races where he is an assistant crew chief on a top fuel dragster.
Krysta loves helping her clients with their real estate transactions and is honored to be a part of the Columbus REALTORS® Leadership Academy Class of 2023 where she is looking forward to engaging with new people and growing personally and professionally.
Julie started her real estate journey over 16 years ago working in Title and Underwriting and from that she gained an intimate knowledge of the back-end workings of the real estate transaction. From this knowledge, Julie flourished as she became a fully licensed REALTOR® in 2009 and was able to craft processes and systems that would grow to help each of her clients know exactly what was happening in their transactions. These processes also ensure each and every client was treated with the same white glove experience they deserved.
Through her career in real estate, Julie has helped well over 750 families meet their real estate needs and take the next step in their lives from buying first homes to selling that first home and moving up or moving on. Julie prides herself in the care and detail she takes to fulfill and exceed her fiduciary responsibilities to her clients. Since starting her own team in 2016 Julie has consistently ranked in the top 1% of all Central Ohio REALTORS® and has consistently earned the Pinnacle of Performance Award from the Ohio Association of REALTORS®. In 2021 Julie joined a select group of Central Ohio REALTORS® when she was awarded the President’s Prestige Award by the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.
Julie is also an advocate for local organizations such as Faith Mission, Big Brothers Big Sisters, W.A.R.M. and the Marine Corps Family Support Community supporting these organizations with fund raising, supply donations, and volunteer time. She believes each journey whether business or personal, is impacting the communities and the people and the neighborhoods around us for good. As Julie says, “I’m in for all of it! It a beautiful thing!”. Julie has also been featured as a Top Agent in Real Producers Magazine and is continuously invited to appear on real estate panels both locally and nationwide to share her expertise and help a new generation of real estate professionals grow. Julie firmly believes, and lives by the saying from Tony Robbins “The path to success is to take massive, determined action”.
Hayley is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business and Hospitality Management. Her background includes working with top hotel brands like Marriott and Hilton. This is where she honed her ability to always deliver exceptional customer service. Now, she brings that same dedication to her real estate career, always striving to not just meet but exceed her clients' expectations.
With four years of dedicated experience in real estate, Hayley is passionate about helping clients navigate the market. She's committed to continuous growth and excellence, making sure every client feels supported and confident throughout the process.
Residing in Gahanna with her husband and two children for nearly a decade, Hayley is deeply connected to the community. When she's not busy chauffeuring her kids to their various sporting events, she enjoys staying active, spending time outdoors, and exploring the newest restaurants in town.
Originally from Columbus, Kelly graduated from Otterbein college with a degree in Public Relations. After working in corporate marketing for 6 years, Kelly founded a successful digital marketing agency, where she honed her skills in branding, social media, and strategic planning. This experience has equipped her with the tools to effectively market her real estate business and properties. Kelly got her license in 2020 and is with Keller Williams Consultants.
Kelly lives in Powell with her husband Ryan, her two boys, Koen and Reagan, and their new puppy, Oakley. Kelly loves to spend her spare time golfing and teaching other women how to golf.
Cindy has been licensed since 2009 and had worked mainly in Zanesville, Ohio until moving back to Columbus in 2018. Cindy is a two time REALTOR® of the Year for the Guernsey Muskingum Valley Association of Realtors, 2016 graduate of the Ohio REALTORS® Leadership Academy, Past President of GMVAR and currently serves on various committees at the State and Local level.
In her spare time, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family, playing board games and plans to start back into ballroom dancing. Cindy is currently a Lead Agent for the Columbus and Zanesville Offices for her brokerage and wants to expand on her Leadership position within our industry.
Aubrey is an Ohio native, raised in Powell, Ohio. In high school and college, Aubrey traveled nationally and internationally on mission trips, where she grew her passion for people and diverse cultures. Aubrey graduated from THE Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in Special Education and was a member of The Ohio State University Women’s Soccer Team.
She and her family lived in Louisville, Kentucky and Austin, Texas– where she and her husband helped plant new churches and partnered in growing various local outreach ministries, and eventually made her way back to Columbus. Prior to getting her real estate license, she taught for five years at Columbus City Schools, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Westerville City Schools, serving students and families grades K-12.
In 2018, while teaching full time, Aubrey became a licensed real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors Triumph Group. In 2020, she created a real estate team, Native Real Estate Professionals. In 2021, Aubrey was awarded the Executive Club Award. She is a wife, mother to two beautiful children, and member of 614 Church where she serves on the Outreach Team.
She is passionate about the local community, church, and family. Some of her other interests include gardening, sports, fitness, and spending time with friends and family.
As a resident of Powell for nearly 20 years, and licensed REALTOR® since 2015, Rodelyn found her calling in serving not only her clients, but the community. She graduated with a Communications Degree and minor in Marketing at the University of Windsor in Canada, where she is originally from. For over 22 years, she has been actively involved in strategic marketing solutions as a Consultant for GJC, a CPA firm in Detroit, Michigan. Real Estate became a natural transition in her motives to continue a client centric career.
Rodelyn has emersed into her role as 2022 President of the Powell Area Realty Association (PARA), and previously Vice President. She believes in community over competition and is consciously proactive in encouraging members to participate in community volunteer events outside of REALTOR® Care Day. Providing value to membership meant managing monthly panel discussions on key issues in real estate, and coordinating speakers such as the Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, Jon Husted to speak about the impact of Intel in Central Ohio. Most recently, Rodelyn has acquired the role as Secretary and Founding Member of the new Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) Columbus Chapter, where she is immensely involved in the promotion, growth, and development on a local level. She also currently serves as a member of the Greater Dublin Realty Association (GDRA), Women’s Council of Realtors (WCR), and Ohio Commercial Real Estate Exchange (OCREE). She is an avid volunteer for nonprofits such as People In Need, and Common Ground Free Store Ministries, in Delaware. Additionally, Rodelyn is currently serving her second term as Vice President of the PTO and Parent Advisory Committee for Buckeye Valley Middle School.
Outside of work, Rodelyn enjoys interior decorating, travel and keeping physically active. She holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo and has completed a full marathon race, and has run over a dozen half-marathons.
Emily has played an active role over the last 20 years in the Columbus real estate market, with an abundance of experience in new construction, land acquisition, negotiations and design consultation/staging. In 2007 Emily obtained her Ohio Real Estate License and Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Franklin University which was tremendously beneficial when she transitioned in to the resale market from the new construction industry. Starting her career in the residential building industry has taken Emily to every corner of the city. Getting such a well-rounded view traveling all over the city, has given her experience selling in nearly every market in and around central Ohio, which provides a tremendous advantage for client who are relocating to a different suburb or area of town. Emily is best described as energetic and genuine and her primary goal is to show her clients through her actions, that she truly cares about their best interest.
Emily is the recipient of Exit Today's Agent of the Year Award, 2015, Sales Support of the Quarter at Ryan Homes, 2013 and a Multi-Million Dollar Sales Producer. 2018, President’s Club, 2020 President Excellence Award, 2022 e-Merge Real Estate Platinum award recipient.
