Forming the Next Generation of Women’s Council of REALTORS® Leaders
Early in her career, Cheryl Keller, 2026 President of Women’s Council of REALTORS®, learned firsthand what it felt like to be told “no.”
As a single mother working in the grocery industry and striving for greater stability and opportunity, she repeatedly faced closed doors.
No to extra hours. No to management positions. No to advancement. The message was clear: leadership opportunities were limited.
Rather than accept those limits, Keller pressed on, eventually stepping into roles that had once felt out of reach.
Those early experiences shaped how she leads today. “I found myself at a lot of tables where I wasn’t always welcome,” she recalls. “It’s one reason I care so deeply about encouraging others and opening doors for them.”
Nurturing talent
Helping people see what’s possible is central to Keller’s leadership style. As president, she’s focused on creating spaces where members feel supported, valued, and confident to step forward.
Her own journey includes pivotal moments when others saw her potential before she did. Early on, a colleague encouraged her to get involved with Women’s Council, assuring it was a good move, even when Keller wasn’t convinced.
She was later invited to serve as a hospitality committee chair, a role she initially hesitated to accept.
“I remember saying, ‘That’s not really my strength,’” Keller says.
The reply: “Yes, it is, and I’ll help you.”
That moment changed everything for Keller, allowing her to discover skills she hadn’t recognized and igniting her confidence as a leader.
She has since watched such a transformation unfold for others, recalling one member who was once nervous to stand on stage to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Through the Women’s Council, the person gained confidence, strengthened her voice, and eventually stepped into leadership roles
“When someone believes in you, it changes how you see yourself,” says Keller.
Reframing leadership through inspiration
Over time, Keller’s understanding of leadership evolved from a structured, task-oriented approach early in her career to one shaped by the Women’s Council’s emphasis on collaboration, generosity, and shared purpose.
“I saw women supporting each other, leading offices, writing books, and doing meaningful work together, which expanded my understanding of what leadership could look like and what was possible for me,” she says.
Those experiences helped shape the leader she is today: collaborative, positive, and focused on lifting others.
Along the way, she also discovered her own strengths — being a visionary, knowing when to step back and think strategically, and helping organizations move forward with clarity and purpose. “For me, it’s about inspiring people, helping them recognize their strengths, and creating momentum together,” Keller comments. “I love helping others see what’s possible.”
Leaders made here
Her philosophy came into focus in 2017, when Keller introduced Leaders Made Here during her term as California State President. The message was simple: leadership is for everyone, and it can be learned, encouraged, and grown.
The idea quickly resonated, and Leaders Made Here was embraced nationally and now guides how Women’s Council identifies, develops, and supports leaders nationwide.
The power of you
Leaders Made Here is also central to Keller’s 2026 vision, with a focus on helping members recognize their potential.
Her 2026 theme, “The Power of You: Encourage. Inspire. Lead.,” reflects her belief that meaningful growth starts with individuals.
One ambitious yet achievable goal is to increase membership by 26 percent and strengthen the value delivered to every member.
After the pandemic, many professional gatherings got casual, and Keller plans to deliver high-impact education and leadership development.
Building on the momentum of Network 360, she also plans to weave the themes — the power of you, the power of team, and the power of many — into her presidential term.
For example, monthly member education will focus on practical skills, leadership development, and real-world application, giving people tools they can use immediately in their businesses, communities, and leadership roles.
Keller also emphasizes that transformation happens at the local level. Strong, engaged networks are the heartbeat of Women’s Council, and small gains across many communities generate a national impact. “When people grow, networks grow,” Keller says. “And when networks grow stronger, everyone benefits.”
Investing in leadership development also builds a pipeline of confident leaders ready to step forward.
Measuring success
When Keller looks back on her year as president, success won’t be defined by a single milestone. “I want our leaders, networks, and members to feel strong,” she says.
For Keller, leadership is shared, noting that this year isn’t hers but everyone’s.
“When each person does their part, encourages others, and moves in the same direction, that’s when real momentum happens,” she says. “That’s how we grow leaders, together,” she says.
