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.
Mohamed Shariff Ahmed is a REALTOR® and Commercial Real Estate Agent with extensive experience in residential and commercial real estate across Ohio. He has successfully guided clients through a variety of real estate transactions, offering expert service to both first-time home buyers and seasoned investors. In addition to his real estate work, Mohamed serves as the CEO of Enhance Home Health Care, where he is dedicated to improving the lives of elderly individuals in Central Ohio.
Mohamed has completed a 12-week commercial training program with Red 1 Realty and is actively involved with the Columbus REALTORS® Young Professionals Network (YPN), where he recently joined the philanthropy subcommittee. As a newly accepted participant in the Columbus REALTORS® Leadership Academy, he looks forward to furthering his leadership and community engagement.
Born in Kenya and raised in San Diego, California, Mohamed brings a diverse cultural background to his work, being bilingual in English and Somali. He is also actively engaged in his local community, contributing to various initiatives and causes, whether it's sponsoring a local youth basketball league or volunteering his time to support meaningful projects.
In his personal time, Mohamed enjoys basketball, pickleball, and spending time with family and friends. His passion for real estate, combined with his commitment to giving back, highlights his dedication to making a positive impact in both his profession and his community.
Cece Beck, also known as Cece The Realtor, is a distinguished real estate professional renowned for her dedication to excellence and integrity. In addition to her successful career, Cece serves as president of the Reynoldsburg Football Booster Club and is a devoted wife and mother of six. She is passionate about educating Ohioans on financial literacy and credit management, striving to empower more individuals and families to achieve homeownership. Her deep market knowledge, exceptional client service, and commitment to community and education make her a trusted advisor in the Columbus real estate market.
Nathan Blaydes was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, by his parents, Jackie and Douglas, alongside his sister Taylor. From a young age, Nathan explored a variety of sports, but it became clear early on that soccer was his true talent. He dedicated himself to the sport throughout his years at GlenOak High School, where he also actively participated in extracurricular activities. His dedication was recognized when he was named Teen of the Month, an honor awarded to only 16 students annually across Stark County, which consists of 17 school districts.
After high school, Nathan attended the University of Mount Union, where he pursued degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology on a Pre-Law track. Eager to get a head start on his legal career, he graduated in just three years. However, during his time at Capital Law School, Nathan realized that a career as an attorney was not his true passion.
Instead, he discovered his calling in real estate after connecting with his mentor, Carol Reeves. With Carol’s guidance, Nathan recognized his potential in the real estate field and obtained his real estate license. In his first five years, he closed over 93 deals, marking a successful start to his new career. Now, Nathan is enthusiastic about joining Leadership Academy, eager to learn from industry leaders and further his development in the field.
Candace, a lifelong resident of Central Ohio, was born and raised in Westerville and now calls Delaware home, where she lives with her husband and their teenage son. A proud alumna of Otterbein University, Candace earned her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Philosophy, laying a strong foundation for her career in real estate.
Since joining The Raines Group team in 2015, Candace has seamlessly blended her deep appreciation for design and architecture with her genuine passion for helping people. Her creative vision and expertise have allowed her to excel in her field, but it is her commitment to client education and service that truly sets her apart. Candace takes pride in guiding her clients through every step of the real estate process, ensuring they are well-informed and empowered to make the best decisions. Her dedication to clear communication, meticulous attention to detail, and focus on creating positive experiences consistently shine through in her work, leading to exceptional customer satisfaction.
In her professional life, Candace is known for her hard work, integrity, and unwavering commitment to her clients' best interests. Whether navigating the complexities of buying or selling a home, she works tirelessly to turn her clients' real estate dreams into reality.
Outside of work, Candace enjoys exploring antique and trade shows, as well as farmers markets, reflecting her keen eye for unique finds and local culture. She is an active member of her church community and embraces a variety of interests, including paddle boarding, hiking, and reading. Above all, Candace treasures time spent with her family and friends, balancing her professional success with a rich and fulfilling personal life.
Shelley, a life-long Ohio resident, grew up in Pickerington and currently lives in Columbus. She earned her real estate license in 2007 and became a Partner Agent in 2011. Shelley is the recipient of the Columbus REALTORS® President's Prestige Award ($25 Million) and has been featured as a Top Agent in Real Producers Magazine. She has also shared her expertise as a guest panelist to help mentor a new generation of real estate professionals. She exemplifies a commitment to her profession and is excited to make new connections and embraces the opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Shelley has contributed to the local community through supporting the efforts for Dress for Success Columbus, enabling women to empower themselves to achieve economic independence and thrive in the workplace.
For fun, Shelley enjoys learning ballroom dancing, making beautifully wrapped gifts, flowerpots and gardening, boating and attending music concerts. She's known to have a passion for collecting rocks and seashells when traveling. Her happy place is with her young grandchildren where she can escape and feel like a kid again. One of her favorite quotes: "Be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.
Mandy Goetzke was born and raised in Central Ohio and grew up in Westerville. After graduating high school from the Columbus School For Girls, she moved to Indiana to attend and receive her bachelor’s degree from Butler University in music business and public relations as well as meet her now husband, Jordan. After college, Mandy moved to Nashville, TN for nearly a decade where she worked behind the scenes with various recording artists as well as managed a family of high end salons and served as the director of marketing for the company. In 2014, Mandy stepped back from the traditional workforce to start a family and she and Jordan purchased their first home. This is where her interest in real estate began as she thoroughly enjoyed the process of house hunting and navigating the world of real estate, thanks to her incredible buyer’s agent. Since then, they’ve gone on to successfully purchase and sell real estate using each home as a building block towards the next. Along the way, they learned how to cosmetically design and update homes to increase appeal and value and Mandy utilized social media to share DIY and design projects as a hobby while being a stay-at-home mom.
In 2017, they moved back to Columbus and a few years later Mandy decided to take her interest in the home space a step further and get her real estate license. Thanks to the community and trust she had built in sharing their real estate ventures and home design projects, Mandy has built a successful real estate career largely from social media and social networking. In her first year of real estate, Mandy earned the Columbus REALTORS® President’s Merit Award as well as the “Rookie of the year” award on her team of 40+ agents. After her second year, she earned an award for top 5 producing agents on her team which is currently ranked 2nd in the Columbus market and top EXP team in Ohio. Mandy has also helped in establishing a cohesive public image for her team by designing logos, social media graphics, etc. for increased brand recognition. Mandy prides herself on her ability to genuinely connect with others, her desire to continuously learn & grow from industry colleagues and partners, and guiding her clients with integrity and care. She is a proud mama to three amazing kids and loves to be in an industry that allows her to prioritize family along with her career.
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.
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Christy Srey has been a licensed REALTOR® since 2021. In that short time, she developed a highly respected reputation in the industry as both a leader and proactive advocate, earning the 2023 Columbus REALTORS® Rising Star Award. She is currently serving Ohio REALTORS® as a 2024 Director, and her efforts as Co-Chair of YPN resulted in the local Network earning the Ohio REALTORS® 2023 YPN Award. She currently is Co-Chair of the Foundation Committee, a member of the Recognition & Sales Awards Committee, CORPAC Committee member & is an RPAC Major Investor. As the President of the Powell Area Realty Association, she is poised to move into yet another leadership role while continuing to support Columbus REALTORS®.
During her first three years as a REALTOR®, Christy achieved several prestigious designations, including ABR®, CREN, C2EX, Corporate Relocation Specialist, Certified Listing Professional, and Certified Real Estate Negotiator.
Christy spent nearly a decade as a Preschool administrator functioning in an environment of acute responsibility and brings this skillset with strong leadership and management qualities to every table at Columbus REALTORS®.
Krysten Stringer has been a dedicated member of the Auction Ohio family of companies since 2011. Born and raised in Westerville, Ohio, Krysten’s career has taken her from the Midwest to cities like Chicago, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin, before returning to the Columbus area to be close to family. Krysten obtained her real estate license in 2009, showcasing her passion for connecting people with their dream homes. In 2023, she expanded her expertise by becoming a licensed auctioneer. Outside of work, Krysten is committed to giving back to her community through various volunteer efforts. She also cherishes her time with her family, including her two young children, and finds joy in making a difference both personally and professionally.
Jennifer Wernert is a dedicated real estate agent, with a specialized focus on investment. Her journey began in 2009 when she purchased her first home and was captivated by the process. Although it took several years and the purchase of two more homes, she took the leap in 2016.
While showing homes in Columbus, Jennifer noticed a troubling trend: the quality of renovations was poor, leaving investors and homebuyers frustrated and losing money. Determined to protect them both Jennifer teamed up with a reliable General Contractor to become a dependable, one-stop-shop resource ensuring that properties were not only profitable but restored to a high standard, contributing to true revitalization.
Rooted in her faith, with Proverbs 22:9 in mind, she is committed to making a difference. This has led to one of her most rewarding accomplishments, rehabbing condemned properties to provide homes for low-income and previously homeless tenants; Directly addressing housing shortages and making a profound impact on the community while helping her clients build generational wealth.
However, Jennifer's work extends beyond just buying and selling homes. She is passionate about raising her 4 kids to think like entrepreneurs, supporting their dance, hockey and lacrosse teams, and exposing them to all the adventure their little hearts can handle. She strives to keep them grounded in healthy habits, off technology, and enjoying an "old school" childhood.
Jennifer dreams of one day living on a farm, homeschooling her grandkids, and spending her evenings front-porch-sittin', watching her cows graze, and sipping unsweetened iced tea until the sun goes down. In the meantime she'll savor her time in her little suburban house watching her 2 dogs dig holes in the yard, waving to the neighbors and waiting for the kids to get off the bus.
Nathan White is a husband and father of two who continues to provide unique insight and value to the Central Ohio Real Estate market. Following a successful career in the restaurant industry, Nathan tapped into his experience and expertise in hospitality to provide award-winning Real Estate guidance to hundreds in Central Ohio.
Nathan serves the Ohio Association of REALTORS® as a voting member of the Professional Development Committee and The Professional Standards Forum. Closer to home, in Central Ohio, Nathans serves on the Columbus Board of REALTORS® as Co-Chair of the MLS Committee & a grievance panelist.
In 2019, Nathan founded “The Collective Home Group”. A team focused on the intricate development of new licensee’s dedicated to the doctrine of #DoDifferent
Nathan and his wife Lindsay established the Reagan Michael White Fund at the Ohio Health Methodist Hospital providing assistance to mothers and families in high risk obstetrics, to honor the memory of their son Reagan.
The Ohio Association of REALTORS® awarded Nathan’s charitable efforts with the 2022 Ohio Good Neighbor Award, presented to an individual REALTOR® who has shown exemplary commitment to community service. Nathan was the first recipient to receive this distinguished award in central Ohio since 2012.
