HousingWire Names 2014 Florida Realtors® President to Distinguished Annual List
Ocala Realtor® Sherri Meadows handles many roles in her busy life, from wife and mother to successful businesswoman to community activist and volunteer. With a passion for real estate and her profession, the 2014 president of Florida Realtors has worked tirelessly to support her colleagues and the real estate industry through her local organization, the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors, the state association and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) as its 2017 Region 5 vice president to Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Now, Meadows can add “woman of influence” to her extensive list of achievements. In recognition of her dedication in leading the housing and mortgage industry forward, HousingWire has named Meadows to its 2017 Women of Influence List.
This marks the seventh year for the Women of Influence list, and HousingWire officials noted that the nominations grow more competitive every year. The 50 women chosen represent a variety of occupations within the housing economy, each demonstrating leadership that inspires those in their own companies, in their communities and in the industry at large.
“It’s a great honor to be standing alongside such accomplished, successful women who are making a difference in their communities and working for a better future in the housing and mortgage industries,” said Meadows, a broker associate with Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty in Gainesville, Ocala, and Summerfield, Florida. “I love what I do – being a Realtor isn’t a job, it’s who I am. Every day, I am privileged to help people realize their dreams of a place to call home, and I believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the security of having shelter and a home. Advocating for housing at all income levels in Florida and across the country continues to be a cause near and dear to my heart.”
Many of the 2017 winners mentor other women in the industry, manage internship programs for college students or work with business groups in disadvantaged areas. Others coordinate volunteer programs for their employees or serve on advisory boards that inform the industry. Investing time and effort to see others succeed is a hallmark of this group.
HousingWire Magazine Editor Sarah Wheeler said, “It’s exciting to see the talent represented in this year’s Women of Influence winners. These dynamic women represent every part of the mortgage ecosystem and their achievements are vital to the mission of expanding homeownership. HousingWire is thrilled to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments as they build better operations, solutions and companies.”
Winners were selected based on tangible accomplishments in the past 12 months. Not only did they have to excel within their companies, but they also had to show influence in the wider industry through contributions on panels, publications, mentoring and volunteering.
“As the mortgage industry continues to do the right thing – increase diversity in the workforce – the housing finance business will likewise keep moving from strength to strength,” said HousingWire Editor-in-Chief Jacob Gaffney. “The progress is undeniable; as the number of influential women in housing grows so does our recognition for the Influential Women of Housing. Our list is bigger and better than ever.”
Meadows supports numerous community organizations and charitable causes. However, as a dedicated advocate for private property rights and housing at all income levels, she has inspired action in states, territories and in Washington, D.C., speaking on behalf of Realtors, homeowners and for those experiencing homelessness throughout the nation. For example, when serving as 2016 NAR vice president, she testified before the House of Representatives Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity in Washington, D.C., and advocated for continued efforts to remove barriers to housing.
In July 2016, Meadows hosted a Housing for All symposium in Washington, D.C., that focused on housing opportunities, ideas and innovative thinking to combat homelessness.
And as president of Florida Realtors in 2014, she and the state association’s leaders traveled across Florida as part of an awareness campaign to make homelessness more visible and work with local community leaders to spotlight successful programs and possible solutions. Florida Realtors campaign was nationally recognized by Ragan Communications for Best Advocacy/Awareness Campaign and Best Community-Nonprofit Partnership.
Meadows continues to work on behalf of Realtors and her profession: She is the Florida Realtors-endorsed candidate for NAR 2019 first vice president.
Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 165,000 members in 54 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.
