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GBR Celebrates the Women in Leadership for Women's History Month

Published Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the milestones and achievements women have made in history, the real estate industry, and our communities. Greater Bergen REALTORS® has the honor of celebrating the amazing, beautiful, and strong women representing the association. The association is honored and thrilled to share that 47 percent of the leaders that make up the Board of Directors are women and 92 percent of our committee leadership is also women. In honor of Women’s History Month, we would like to highlight a few of our female Directors who have helped shape the organization and continue to do so every day.

Yesenia Frias, 2021 Greater Bergen Realtors First-Vice President  

How long have you been in real estate? 

I started to practice real estate in 2002 but really started practicing as a full-time Realtor in 2010 

What made you want to dive into real estate?  

Once my children got older, and I was able to dedicate more time to real estate, that is when I decided to dive in full-time it and give it my all. 

How long have you served in a leadership role with the association?  

I ran for council in Bogota and that is when I realized that the association had the Legislative Committee. This was instrumental in my desire to get more involved at the association. I started to get further involved by joining the RPAC and Community Service committees The more active I became with the organization, the more I realized that being a Realtor entails a lot more than just doing real estate transactions. It was then that I realized how important it is to get involved, and the meaning of what a Realtor is taking a different meaning. 

  

Shortly thereafter, the opportunity presented itself to apply for a seat on the Board of Directors, and the rest is history.  Since becoming a Director, I've had the opportunity to become more involved on the local, state, and national levels. I still remember attending my first NAR Midyear meeting; I was immediately hooked. I had no idea these conferences existed. It was only when I became involved that I realize that the opportunities were endless.

You are the only woman currently serving on the Executive team. Has that had any impact on you? 

It’s an honor for me to serve as the First Vice President for this rich and diversified organization. Being the only woman on the Executive Team is very exciting.  I like to think that I bring the best of what I represent to the executive team. Being able to be a part of a group of leaders and being able to have a platform to share discussions that will help my colleagues in their careers as well as our communities, for me is very rewarding. 

Have you noticed more women getting into the industry and having more of a voice in real estate? 

Real Estate offers a unique industry in that it provides opportunities for women to have great careers as entrepreneurs. More importantly, it gives women who have families the flexibility to work at their own pace and continue to care for their children at home. I can personally attest to this as this allowed me to take care of my children, complete my college education, and help financially.  

Do you notice more women becoming homeowners in the last couple of years?  

Over the years I have seen an increase in women looking to buy or purchasing their own homes. More so in the last year. Due to Covid, I have noticed more and more women purchasing homes to supply the need of storage as many have started online, Etsy shops, craft, home services from their homes. More and more women want to be financially independent and also be able to be around to take care of their children from the comfort of their homes. In the circle of family and friends that I have, I’ve been a huge increase and can’t help but feel joy. Us women are strong and powerful.  We can multi-task ranging from planning meals, planning trips, financial planning for the home, working full time whether it be as a Realtor, incorporate, or as an entrepreneur, we are able to do it all!  

As a Broker Owner and a leader, I think that what best works for me is to represent what a Realtor stands for. Although there are many different Brokerages, it is nice that we all work together under NAR’s Code of Ethics. I cannot stress enough to my fellow colleagues and women coming into the industry the importance of getting involved. It will make a difference; It will change your life The knowledge and wisdom you will gain will help you grow more and more in this industry. 


Frances Blakely, 2021 Greater Bergen Realtors Board of Directors

How long have you been in real estate?

I have been in Real Estate for 28 years. In my previous career, I was a teacher. I enjoy working with and educating people about homeownership and helping them achieve their goals.  

What made you want to dive into real estate?

When my children were young, I didn't have time with their schedules to participate in leadership. Still, once my kids left for college, I jumped in and started to serve on committees. After that, I began to serve as a chair in committees and then acting on the Board of Directors, and eventually was the Board of Directors President in 2018.  

 

 

Has your role as a Board of Directors had any impact on your career? If so, how?

Becoming more active in a leadership role has impacted my career because I realized how important it is to be informed on different issues that affect our business and that you have to participate to have a voice.

Once I served on our local BOD, I knew I wanted to be more involved. Since then, I have continued volunteering, and I am now serving on State and National Committees. I am presently the Chair of the Risk Management Committee for NJ REALTORS. I am also a committee member for the Leading-Edge Advisory board for NAR. I have also served as a National Director for the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) for three years.

Have you seen an increase in women becoming homeowners in the last couple of years? 

Many women have started enjoying homeownership, but there need to be more opportunities to achieve this goal.  

Have you noticed more women getting into the real estate industry and having more of a voice in real estate?

I think more women are getting into real estate. When I look at our committee leadership at GBR, I believe women enjoy stepping up into leadership roles, which is crucial for the growth and betterment of our association and communities as a whole. I want to share that success comes when you are committed to doing something you love! Use leadership as your navigation tool. Our leaders have the wisdom and the vision so that you can accomplish much more than you ever imagined! 


 Janet Ginsberg, 2020 Board of Director for Greater Bergen Realtors and Vice President of the Realtors Care Foundation

How long have you been in real estate?

I had always loved real estate and decided to get my license when my kids started school. I have loved the industry and my company since day 1.

How long have you served in a leadership role within the association?

I began my involvement with the association over eight years ago, starting with joining the Community Service Committee. I then began to join additional committees and served as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Community Service and Legislative committees.

 

I am currently on the Board of Directors and the Realtors Care Foundation, where I have served as Treasurer and am currently the Vice- President. Serving as VP of the RCF has had such a strong impact on me, and I have been able to share so much of my community service experience with my office and company. I am currently in the process of organizing a community service event with my company, and the proceeds of this event will be donated to the Realtors Care Foundation.

Have you noticed more women getting into the industry and having more of a voice in real estate?

I have absolutely noticed that more and more women have been taking on leadership roles within the real estate industry, and I think this is fantastic. 92% of our committees are Chaired by women!

Have you seen an increase in women becoming homeowners in the last couple of years? If yes, why do you think that is.  

Regarding women as homeowners, "According to an analysis from loan marketplace LendingTree, single women own more homes than single men do—about 1.5 million more, to be exact." 

In addition, according to the NAR's 2021 home buyers and sellers generational trends, which was released earlier this month, indicate that 18 percent of the homebuyers were single females, and nine percent were single males. The highest percentage of single female buyers was in the 66 to 74 age group at 22 percent.  NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

What does your success as a broker/manager and leader mean to you?

For me being a successful Broker /Manager in a leadership role means I have the chance to serve my community and be an integral part of our growing business. As a Realtor®, I was able to build lifelong client relationships while giving back to the community. Now, as my role has evolved, I have the opportunity to lead a team of genuinely exceptional agents during an exciting time in real estate. I'm incredibly proud to be part of the Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realt


Margaret Ajamian, 2021 Greater Bergen Realtors Board of Directors 

How long have you been in real estate?

I have been in Real Estate for 21 Years.

 

What made you want to dive into real estate?

I was working in the Garment Center, managing factories all over the world. I had two small children at the time (5 and 10), and I didn't want to travel anymore, so I retired and went and got my RE license. It was a natural progression for me since my husband and I had bought and sold five properties in the first seven years of our marriage, so the process was familiar to me, and I had a sales background.

How long have you served in a leadership role within the Association?

I started at the Association as Fair Housing Co-Chair and was also a Circle of Excellence committee member. I did that for quite a few years. A few years later, RealSource started a new committee which was Fair Housing with an International Twist - kind of like Equal Opportunity, which we have now. I became the Chairperson, and it was very successful, resulting in being asked to run for the Board of Directors. 

I honestly had no idea what the Board of Directors did, but I applied and got a 1-year term. As a Board of Director member, the President asked me to start the Government Affairs Committee. We never had this committee before, and it was new to everyone, but it turned out great. We got involved with many local town issues, did Mayor spotlights in our newsletters, updated all town's ordinances for signs, etc. For the members, and even hosted with then Eastern Bergen and NJ Realtors a successful panel with political candidates. The rest is history-to sum up, I have been on the Board of Directors for six years.

Has your role as a Board of Directors had any impact on your career? If so, how?

I don't think being on the BOD has had an impact on my career per se. I think being active in the Association has a significant effect on our jobs in more than one way. To begin with, it allows us to meet realtors from other parts of the county. As our business has changed and agents travel to list and sell properties not just in their local town, it is nice to see/speak to agents that we have met at an event or that are on committees, etc. The Association also provides us with education, affiliate connections, and so much more. Everyone can reap the benefits of the Association and its impact on their careers just by becoming an active member.

Have you noticed more women getting into the industry and having more of a voice in real Estate?

Real Estate has always been a Woman dominated field. Because of its flexibility, it was an attractive career for women who were also Moms to children and needed the flexibility that comes with being a Real Estate Agent. More and more men are coming into the business as realtors, and women are taking on more leadership roles and having more prominent voices. Presidents, Vice Presidents, Branch Managers, etc., the opportunities are endless for women.

As Branch Manager, I believe in one simple principle: Helping my agents live exceptional lives....we celebrate our successes together.

 

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