Real Estate Academy of Leadership

 

  

 

 

Established in 1995, the Real Estate Academy of Leadership is designed to identify and educate MIBOR members who have leadership interest and potential. Since its inception, over 450 REALTOR® and affiliate members have graduated from the program, becoming Fellows of REAL. 

Over the course of nine months, participants gain the tools they need to be effective leaders within MIBOR, the greater real estate industry, and their communities. The class meets once a month for a full-day session. Participants will learn about their own personality type and how best to collaborate with others, REALTOR® association governance, professionalism, economic and community development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and more.  

Not only is REAL a phenomenal learning experience, it is an excellent networking opportunity, as well. The small class size gives participants greater access to the presenters and facilitators for each session, and provides them with the opportunity to develop strong, lasting relationships with their classmates—people they may not have otherwise met.

 

 

 

 

2025 REAL Class

Being accepted into REAL is an exciting achievement that opens the door to the next phase of your career as a professional, and as a leader. 

Adrianna Burke
Camelia Cucuruz
Sean Daniels
Victoria Dougherty
Matthew Fields
Jacob Finney
Amanda Henriott
Paige Hewitt
Ky Irwin
Mina Kadhum
Corey Keele
Michelle McGuire
Maggie Pace
Erik Pitner
Nicholas Reynolds
Natanja Tabb Peterson
Taylor Thomas
Hannah Walker
Lakenia Renae Warren
Kiki Wood

 

2024 - 2025 Class Schedule

APPLY

The 2024-2025 REAL Program applications will open May 1 and close June 15, 2024. If you have any questions you may contact REAL@mibor.com

APPLY HERE

 

program requirements

The REAL program requires a significant time commitment. There is a daylong class session each month at various locations around the Indianapolis metro area. Participants are expected to attend all class sessions in order to graduate. The upcoming REAL schedule, with session dates and locations, will be posted before the application is opened for that year.  

In addition to attending every session, participants are expected to be actively engaged, taking notes and asking questions. At the end of the program, participants will work in groups to create a proposal for MIBOR’s Board of Directors, based on the topics covered over the course of the program.   

REAL participants are also expected to pay a $500 fee upon acceptance to the program. 

BENEFITS OF REAL

Each session of REAL provides a deep dive into a topic relevant to the real estate industry and an opportunity to hone your leadership skills. The small class size gives you greater access to the presenters and facilitators for each session and provides you the opportunity to make lasting relationships with your classmates. 

By the end of the program, you will have a greater understanding of how and why MIBOR is invested in many aspects of the real estate industry and the Central Indiana community and how REALTORS® can make an impact through involvement in leadership roles—and will have expanded your professional network, as well.  

But don’t just take our word for it. Check out the Testimonials section, below, to see what graduates, called Fellows of REAL, have to say about the program! 

frequently asked questions

• How are REAL participants selected? 
  • Each year’s REAL class is determined by a selection committee comprised of members of the previous year’s class, the moderator for the incoming class, and MIBOR’s CEO. The selection process is blind—all identifying information (name, address, company name/address, etc.) is redacted from the applications reviewed by the committee. 
  • When they review applications, the Selection Committee evaluates candidates based on the following categories: Education and Specialty, Personal Attributes, Volunteer Activity, Qualifications, and Letter(s) of Recommendation. 

• What can I do to increase my chances of being selected for REAL? 
  • The REAL application process is competitive—each year, we typically receive between 50 and 70 applications for about 20 spots in the program. Steps you can take to help your application stand out from the crowd include: 
    • Get engaged. MIBOR offers several opportunities for engagement, including Divisions, Committees, and NextGen. 
    • Volunteer with The REALTOR® Foundation. 
    • Work toward MPRO Certification. MPRO is the highest certification offered by MIBOR. Being MPRO certified demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of knowledge and professionalism.  
    • Be thoughtful and detailed when filling out your application. Take your time when answering questions—share more than just a couple of brief sentences. Keep in mind that names are redacted from the applications reviewed by the Selection Committee, so they won’t know your achievements and involvement unless you tell them.  
    • Get at least one letter of recommendation. Choose someone who knows you and your work. Often, it’s helpful to have a recommendation from your managing broker.  

• Is REAL only open to REALTOR® members? 
  • No! Affiliate members of MIBOR are eligible to participate in REAL and encouraged to apply. Generally, there is at least one Affiliate member in each REAL class.  

• If I’ve applied for REAL in the past and wasn’t selected, can I apply again? 
  • Yes! We encourage anyone who has applied for REAL but wasn’t selected to apply again. When applying, be sure to highlight any new involvement or certifications since you last applied and talk about why participating in REAL is important to you.  

• The person I asked to write me a letter of recommendation missed the deadline. Can they still submit a letter? 
  • Unfortunately, no. While we have accepted late letters in the past, we are no longer able to do so. There is a tight timeline for processing applications and providing them to the Selection Committee after the application closes. We have seen an increase in both applications and letters of recommendation submitted in recent years, and due to this increase in volume, we are no longer able to accommodate late recommendation submissions.  

FELLOWS OF REAL

Upon graduation, REAL participants become Fellows of REAL. The first REAL class graduated in 1996. Now, there are over 450 REALTOR® and Affiliate members who are Fellows of REAL. 

Most recent graduates

Testimonials

Still not convinced? See what others have to say about the program!

“REAL made me fall in love with real estate all over again.”  — Lee Ann Balta, Century 21 Sheetz

“REAL was a wonderful experience that I will not soon forget. The learning opportunities this program provides, along with the connections I’ve made throughout the Real Estate Industry will serve me well in the years to come. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of such a special group - it is an honor to be a graduate and fellow of REAL and I thank you so much for this incredible experience.” — Dustin Sickinger, Compass Indiana

“The REAL program has provided me with a new understanding of industry issues and how they affect each of the players in the real estate field – agents, lenders, appraisers, etc. This has lead me to have a greater respect for all of these individuals, which has fostered healthier relationships and ultimately, more effective transactions. " — April Lewis, KeyBank

“REAL has been an amazing experience that, if given the opportunity, I would take full advantage of again! The class provided access to many leaders throughout the city, allowing us an opportunity to speak to them in a personal setting. We learned much about Indianapolis and the vast resources available. Finally, we made friendships with individuals in our industry that started as strangers. It’s a unique opportunity that I am fortunate to have participated in!” — Lindsay McAteer, Encore Sotheby's Realty