WRE News Awards · 2026

Women of Excellence Honorees

Celebrating women whose leadership, service, and professional achievements strengthen the real estate and housing industry.

About Women of Excellence

Listed alphabetically by last name.

California

Dash Bahman

TriValley Real Estate Group

Dash Bahman approaches real estate with integrity, accountability, and attention to each client’s interests. Her nomination emphasizes building trust, providing practical solutions, and creating relationships that last beyond a transaction.

Massachusetts

Margo Ball

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate

Margo Ball supports office operations, transactions, technology, and agents across multiple offices. Her nomination recognizes her practical problem-solving, dependable follow-through, and the care she brings to helping colleagues.

Virginia

Mary Bowen

Long and Foster

Mary Bowen combines managing-broker responsibilities with agent training and professional association service. She draws on her real estate experience to guide colleagues, support clients, and contribute to her local community.

Florida

Shawna Calvert

27North Realty

Shawna Calvert combines client service with a commitment to helping fellow agents grow. Her nomination highlights an approach centered on sharing knowledge, creating opportunities, and putting others in a position to succeed.

Florida

Alicia Cervera-Lamadrid

Cervera Real Estate

Alicia Cervera-Lamadrid approaches real estate through attentive listening, integrity, and mentorship. Her nomination reflects a longstanding connection to Miami and a commitment to creating opportunities for clients and colleagues.

South Carolina

Danielle Childers

Homeland Realty Group

Danielle Childers leads Homeland Realty Group as owner and Broker-in-Charge. Her nomination highlights one-on-one agent mentorship, support for first-time homebuyers, and involvement with local schools and community events.

Colorado

Michele Ciardullo

MilehiModern // DTC Managing Broker

Michele Ciardullo emphasizes integrity, attentive service, and lasting client relationships in her real estate work.

Texas

Drue DaSilva

DaSilva Property Group

Drue DaSilva builds client relationships through clear communication, accountability, and personal service. Her commitment to community includes volunteer leadership and support for the University of Houston.

Ohio

Chanhl Etienne

Key Realty LTD

Chanhl Etienne helps clients understand homeownership and business opportunities through patient, practical education. Her work particularly supports people navigating unfamiliar systems and building a future in the United States.

Virginia

Katrina Funkhouser

Coldwell Banker Realty

Katrina Funkhouser emphasizes honest communication, careful listening, and dependable guidance. Her approach supports clients through first purchases, changing family needs, and other important transitions.

Texas

Dana Georgiou

Barh Dunmore LLC

Dana Georgiou brings decades of mortgage experience to revenue strategy, sales, and industry education. Her nomination highlights honest counsel and her ability to make complex lending topics more understandable for brokers and borrowers.

Oregon

Debra Gisriel

Fisher Nicholson Realty,LLC

Debra Gisriel brings together real estate, teaching, and community service. Her nomination emphasizes clear guidance for clients and a willingness to share practical knowledge with colleagues and students.

California

Twyla Hankins

American Financial Network, Inc.

Twyla Hankins oversees operations at American Financial Network. Her work brings teams, technology, and lending processes together, with a focus on supporting staff through change and improving the borrower experience.

Virginia

Jenny Kim

First Heritage Mortgage, LLC

Jenny Kim leads production at First Heritage Mortgage with an emphasis on borrower education, sound lending practices, and developing future leaders. Her nomination highlights her mentorship of women and young professionals.

Florida

Teresa King Kinney

MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld

Teresa King Kinney has guided decades of growth and international engagement at MIAMI REALTORS®. Her nomination recognizes her investment in professional development, global partnerships, and opportunities for members.

North Carolina

Denise Kinney

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage

Denise Kinney leads with a hands-on approach that supports agents, managers, and staff. Her work at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage emphasizes relationships, professional growth, and involvement in the communities the company serves.

Wisconsin

Gina Knutson

WESTconsin Realty

Gina Knutson brings a service-oriented approach to real estate and community involvement. Her nomination highlights volunteer leadership, support for local organizations, and a commitment to connecting people and strengthening communities.

Idaho

Tonyah Lee

The Mike Brown Group

As Managing Partner of The Mike Brown Group, Tonyah Lee supports agents, staff, and daily business decisions. Her leadership emphasizes thoughtful listening, strong processes, and an environment where people feel supported.

Vermont

Leslee MacKenzie

Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman

Leslee MacKenzie leads Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman with a focus on professional development, client service, and collaboration. Her work also includes service to Vermont business organizations and the real estate profession.

North Carolina

Dr. Ericka L. McKnight

ELM School of Real Estate & ELM Realty

Dr. Ericka L. McKnight brings more than two decades of real estate experience to her work in education and brokerage. Her nomination highlights initiatives that support homeownership and opportunities to build generational wealth.

North Carolina

Mila Meekins

MEEK GLOBAL REAL ESTATE LLC/NORTHGROUP REAL ESTATE

Mila Meekins combines real estate service with a background in financial advising and education. She emphasizes patient guidance, informed decisions, and helping families build lasting financial stability.

Florida

Yapi Metjian

ONEIL Commercial Advisors

Yapi Metjian serves as Marketing & Research Director at ONEIL Commercial Advisors. Her nomination recognizes her initiative, collaborative approach, and dedication to supporting business development and the people around her.

Florida

Jessica Peterson

Dreamify Real Estate LLC

Jessica Peterson helped establish Dreamify Real Estate with an emphasis on personalized service across residential, commercial, and business transactions. Her work includes developing the brokerage’s team and supporting community organizations.

Texas

Megan Scheffer

Bay Area Habitat for Humanity

Megan Scheffer leads Bay Area Habitat for Humanity as Executive Director. With a background in residential property management, she coordinates staff, volunteers, and community relationships in support of the organization’s housing mission.

Utah

Rachael Shaw

Presidio Real Estate

Rachael Shaw combines residential and commercial real estate experience with brokerage leadership and continuing education. She helps agents navigate challenging transactions and develop the knowledge to serve their clients.

Arizona

Leela Smith

Camelot Homes

Leela Smith brings more than two decades of new-home sales experience to her leadership at Camelot Homes. As Director of Sales, she emphasizes listening, follow-through, and helping her team deliver attentive service to homebuyers.

California

Victoria Vu

VF Developments LLC

Victoria Vu founded VF Developments and applies her design background to multifamily redevelopment. Her work combines investment, renovation, and property design across Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Texas

Angelique Wade

Crescent Property Services

Angelique Wade brings collaboration, integrity, and a commitment to service to her work at Crescent Property Services. Her nomination recognizes the relationships she builds with colleagues, partners, and the community.

Florida

Evian White De Leon

MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld

Evian White De Leon brings legal expertise and operational leadership to MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld. Her nomination highlights her work on association mergers, member education, risk management, and helping professionals adapt to industry change.