A President’s Farewell: Kerri Hartnett 2024 National President

Gratitude. 

That’s one word that comes to mind as I reflect on this last year acting as Women’s Council National President—gratitude for new relationships, a deep sense of unity, and the space and freedom to advance the mission. 

For me, this year wasn’t about a theme but about the incredible people in the Women’s Council organization, including fellow leadership team members and the brilliant, devoted staff members who helped me achieve my goals and those of the Council. Their support, combined with the meaningful relationships I’ve made around the country, made this a team year, not just my year.

One focus was inclusivity, and we welcomed all women into a safe space and gave them both a seat in the room and a voice at the table.

I’ve also been driven by sustainability—both environmental responsibility and the resilience of ourselves, our health, our communities, and our businesses. Becoming resilient helps every member power through challenges, whether industry changes, personal difficulties, or economic uncertainty.  

In addition, we broadened Women’s Council’s reach beyond the traditional boundaries, making our programs accessible to more women and collaborating with other affinity groups and global partners to welcome voices outside our organization. 

As such, I attended the IX Latin American Real Estate Congress (CILA) in Quito, Ecuador. Thanks to the relationships formed in Quito, I spoke at the Asian Real Estate Association of America’s (AREAA) national conference in Las Vegas. 

During my travels, I met so many of you and was encouraged by how you’ve embraced the Council’s values and brought them to life in your networks. It reminds me of the importance of this community and the progress we can make by lifting one another. 

I’ve also been inspired by how members have tapped the Supporting Women in Real Estate Grant to craft programming tailored to the needs of their members. I saw energy, creativity, and diversity and programs that highlighted the value of investing in ourselves and each other. I encourage you to work with your local board to apply for a grant and develop your own meaningful programs.

Women’s Council has always delivered tools and resources that help members pay the bills and sustain their health and businesses. Thus, another goal was highlighting the return on investment of Women’s Council membership: tangible educational benefits, meaningful connections, referrals, and the support of a network. The industry has been through a tough year; having one another and building resilience together has helped all of us press on and thrive.

Over the years, Women’s Council has been my university, giving me skills, leadership confidence, and the network to build and sustain my business. Now, 60% to 65% of my business comes from referrals, a testament to the power of the Women’s Council connections I’ve made. 

Collaborating with you to nurture tomorrow’s leaders has been my honor. I’m deeply grateful for your trust and the opportunity to contribute to an organization dear to me. 

Keep learning, find new connections, and look for ways to lead, whether in your professional world or community. 

I’m excited to see how the next generation of leaders helps Women’s Council evolve and continue its work in empowering and advancing women. 

In friendship and appreciation, 

Kerri