- From Pause to Power: REALTORS® Find Their Voice Through Leadership Development Program
- Two Pennsylvania REALTORS® Named 2025 RISMedia Rookie of the Year Finalists — Including Tri-County Suburban Member and 2024 Leadership Development Program Graduate Caroline Coladonato
- Member Benefit Spotlight: Inclusive, Equitable & Empowering, DEI Resources
- ARS: Today’s Sellers Aren’t Always Traditional—Are You Asking the Right Questions?
- SRA: Upper Merion to Purchase 11-Acre Property
- Calendar of Events
|
From Pause to Power: REALTORS® Find Their Voice Through Leadership Development Program |
|
|
Last Wednesday, Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® celebrated the 2025 graduating class of the Leadership Development Program (LDP).
The 13-member graduating class (not all members pictured in select photos) enjoyed a celebratory luncheon where they received certificates for $399 to reinvest in their education through The Association of REALTORS® School.
In order to graduate, each participant delivered a presentation on the impact of the program—how it has reshaped their approach to business, communication, and leadership within the REALTOR® community. Attendees included members of the Board of Directors including Charmain of the Board Michael Howell who hosted the event, as well as Board Members, Amanda Helwig & Lou Muscella, Association leadership, past LDP graduates, and more.
One graduate, Roslyn Gilbert, described herself as being in her “bamboo season,” referencing the story of the bamboo tree and its remarkable growth cycle: watered daily but showing no visible progress for five years—until it suddenly grows nine feet in five weeks. For her, the LDP experience and her real estate career have mirrored that transformation—root-building, followed by incredible breakthrough.
Graduate Curt Easton reflected on the program’s diversity course, sharing the personal impact of learning about “segregation by design” and how the course resonated with him as an African American man, navigating and working in the mortgage industry.
Several graduates spoke to the emotional depth of working in real estate and the need to slow down and truly listen during some of the most meaningful moments in people’s lives. One common theme echoed across the room: the power of the pause, in reference to developing active listening skills. The program, they shared, gave them the tools to better communicate, empathize, and lead with intention.
Howell concluded the event by posing a powerful question to the audience: “What is a leader’s greatest return?” A member of the crowd responded without hesitation: “Developing other leaders.”
|
"Truly grateful to have been part of this program with Tri-County.
It’s something I had wanted to do for a long time, and the timing finally felt right.
The instructors’ generosity in sharing their time and knowledge meant so much, and connecting with such driven and passionate agents was an added gift...
I’m leaving with not just new strategies, but fresh inspiration and perspective—thank you for an experience I will genuinely carry forward."
- Joymarie Chupein DeFruscio-Achenbach
|
Congratulations to this year's class [pictured left to right]: Ellen Li, Curt Easton, Ashley Hannah, Amanda Ashbee, Kimberly Lesher-Lattanzi, Carla Giordano, Marisa McLaughlin, Megan Weigner, Roslyn Gilbert, Erika Muto, Michael Howell, Jr.
[Not pictured: Andy Herb, Joymarie Defruscio-Achenbach]
|
|
|
The Leadership Development Program is an annual series of courses taught by a certified life coach, a certified speaking professional, and REALTORS® with extensive experience in the industry. It is designed to enhance members' leadership skills in professional, personal, and association contexts. The curriculum covers team-building, emotional intelligence, diversity, negotiation tactics, and presentation skills.
Applications for the next class will open in the spring of 2026.
|
|
|
Two Pennsylvania REALTORS® Named 2025 RISMedia Rookie of the Year Finalists — Including Tri-County Suburban Member and 2024 Leadership Development Program Graduate Caroline Coladonato |
| |
|
Pennsylvania REALTOR® & member of Tri-County Suburban REALTORS®, Caroline Coladonato was named to RISMedia’s list of 2025 Rookie of the Year finalists.
The 25 finalists hail from all five U.S. regions and are honored for their extraordinary achievements while still being early in their careers. RISMedia recently named five regional winners, and one national winner will be revealed at their Annual Awards Gala in September.
“I am incredibly grateful to have been considered as a finalist for Rookie of the Year,” Coladonato says. “It was an absolute dream come true! I owe a lot of my success to my brokers at RE/MAX Ready, Eric Rehling and Matt Mittman, for their constant support, coaching and feedback.”
Coladonato has been a REALTOR® for four years. In her career so far, she’s utilized the rental sphere and its clients to blossom into larger purchase clients, and she’s focused on forming long-term relationships that have sometimes led to lasting friendships.
“I especially thank all of my past and current clients for the opportunity to work together, the positive reviews and the constant referrals, which have all helped me grow in the business this year! I look forward to many years ahead serving my clients!” she adds.
For the full article via PAR's JustListed Blog, click here.
|
|
|
Member Benefit Spotlight: Inclusive, Equitable & Empowering - DEI Resources |
| |
|
Serving diverse communities isn’t just good business—it’s a core tenet of what it means to be a REALTOR®. Article 10 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics prohibits discrimination in real estate services and affirms every member’s responsibility to provide equitable, inclusive service to the public.
The resources available through Tri‑County Suburban REALTORS® help members live out that mission—strengthening client trust, expanding access to homeownership, and fostering fair and respectful interactions in every transaction.
The DEI Resources page offers members a central hub of tools, trainings, and opportunities to expand their knowledge and serve clients more ethically and effectively. From understanding fair housing protections to building cultural competence, these resources are designed to support both personal growth and professional responsibility. Visit tcsr.realtor/deiresources to explore how you can continue to lead with ethics, equity, and excellence.
Member benefits include the following:
Fair Housing & DEI Trainings
Programs like At Home with Diversity® (AHWD) and other workshops help REALTORS® fulfill their ethical obligation to treat all clients equally and advocate for fair housing for all.
Digital Badge Recognition Program
Members can earn Gold, Diamond, or Platinum badges that demonstrate their ongoing commitment to inclusivity and professional development through DEI Matters.
Multicultural Tools & Support
Access to translation services, cultural resource guides, and partnerships with local and national multicultural organizations.
Continuing Education & Equity-Focused Resources
A curated collection of on-demand videos, DEI event archives, and actionable guides to help agents stay current and informed.
|
|
|
ARS: Today’s Sellers Aren’t Always Traditional—Are You Asking the Right Questions?
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Course: In-Person August 6
Free for MCE Season Pass Holders! |
The real estate market has evolved—and so has the role of the listing agent.
Today’s seller may be underwater on their mortgage, going through a divorce, acting as executor of an estate, or managing a sale through power of attorney. These complex scenarios require more than just salesmanship—they require legal awareness, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of the role of listing agent and the responsibilities under the law.
According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2023 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 17% of home sales involved sellers dealing with a significant life event, such as divorce, death, or financial hardship. As these numbers continue to rise in today’s market, listing agents must be equipped to navigate sensitive conversations and ensure all legal and ethical obligations are met.
That’s why The Association of REALTORS® School is bringing this essential CE course—Qualifying a Seller to Sell throughout the CE cycle, with the next session happening in person on August 6.
You’ll learn: how to identify red flags and ask the right questions up front, what your responsibilities are when dealing with executors, POAs, or distressed sellers, how to keep deals on track when emotions or legal complexities enter the picture, and more.
Bonus: If you're a MCE Season Pass holder, you can attend this class for FREE.
|
|
|
SRA: Upper Merion to Purchase 11-Acre Property
|
|
|
|
Upper Merion Township has agreed to pay more than $8 million for a property at 150 E. DeKalb Pike in King of Prussia. It is currently occupied by Rossi Auto Salvage and owned by the Rossi family. The land is adjacent to a future road that is planned to be extended, however the township’s long-term plans for the site are undecided. The property includes direct access to Henderson Road and an easement to access Route 202. There are plans to extend Prince Frederick Boulevard to Henderson Road, so the township will own the land around the future connection. Township Supervisor Greg Waks said “there are a lot of good reasons for this purchase,” including better traffic movement for residents and first-responders. As part of the agreement, the owners will de-industrialize the property in the next 18 months and remove the vehicles that occupy the site.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 7/18/2025
|
|
|
|
| | Office
1 Country View Road
Suite 201
Malvern, PA 19355
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
1 Country View Road Suite 201 | Malvern, PA 19355 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
|
|
|
|
