LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Leadership Academy Alumni
WHERE ARE
They Now?
Photo by www.adobestock.com/ Jodie and khwanchai
R E A LT O R ®
By Sabrina Blair DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PROGRAMS
C O L L E E N T R U J I L LO Class of 2018–2019
A
s Orange County REALTORS’® Leadership Academy gets ready to embark on their seventh class in January 2024, we would like to check in with a few Alumni to see where their leadership journey has taken them since graduation. The OCR Leadership Academy was launched in 2016 because 2015 President Rita Tayenaka and other Directors saw a need for new blood in leadership roles at the Association level and decided to form an academy to train, grow, and nurture leaders. The Academy is currently facilitated by our 2020 President, Danielle Corliss. To give readers a better idea about what the Academy can do for members, we are featuring graduates in OC REALTOR®. To learn more about the Leadership Academy or to apply for the next class, visit www.ocrealtors.org/la.
18
NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2023
OC REALTOR®
Have you always been a natural leader or interested in leadership roles? Yes, I started young with student council, captain of my cheerleading squad, chairperson for various committees in college. I helped to start the baseball booster club at Tesoro High School and organized several blood drives through Little League. I’ve managed several softball teams for my daughter and volunteered with Viejo Little League. I’ve never been one to sit on the sidelines, but I definitely don’t seek the spotlight either.
What was the biggest thing you gained from participating in the Academy? The friendships I’ve made and continue to cherish. Also, the seminars regarding personality traits were very insightful! Where has your leadership journey taken you since graduation? What leadership roles have you obtained? I was a member of several committees at OCR including PAEC and have been honored to serve as a C.A.R. Director for the past 3 years. I was the co-chair for the REimagine Committee in 2023. I am also serving as a Key Contact for Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez. I have also stepped outside of my box and became a licensed Pilates Instructor even though I’ve never been one to enjoy public speaking. What advice or words of encouragement would you give to someone considering applying for the Academy? Go for it! If not you, then who? If not now, when? We need more voices, we need to replace ourselves. Trust that voice inside yourself, go for it!
