Erica Christoffer

By Erica Christoffer

For the fourth year in a row, the YPN Advisory Board presented its Elevate YPN Award to a person who has helped bring the Young Professionals Network to new heights. During the 2019 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Francisco, the award was given to Katie Johnson, the National Association of REALTORS® general counsel and senior vice president of legal affairs and member experience.

As part of the association’s reorganization last year, YPN was moved from communications to member experience, and Johnson has had a more direct relationship advising and guiding the Advisory Board.

YPN’s 2019 Advisory Boar Chair Tommy Choi presented NAR General Counsel Katie Johnson with the Elevate YPN Award during the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Francisco. Photo by Kevin Berne.

“I think you’re all very inspiring. You’re the future for our organization,” Johnson said during the YPN Advisory Board meeting Thursday, Nov. 7. Past recipients include Budge Huskey, Elizabeth Mendenhall, and Pat “Ziggy” Zicarelli.

Mendenhall, 2018 NAR president, also gave a presentation during the YPN Advisory Board meeting, saying that “YPN is the best thing that happened to the association,” and encouraging members to work with other groups and committees. She advised YPNers to ask questions of more established volunteer leaders and bring information back to their peers.

The Advisory Board discussed visiting local YPNs across the country as speakers or resources to help groups strategize. YPN Advisory Board members are available for travel to assist local associations and should be contacted directly with requests.

The meeting also signified member turnover on the Advisory Board, with 2019 Chair Tommy Choi of Chicago (Region 7) handing over the reins to 2020 Chair Piper Knoll of Denver (Region 11). Choi will serve as immediate past chair in 2020. Other 2020 YPN Advisory Board members include:

2019 YPN Chair Tommy Choi and Vice Chair Piper Knoll. Photo by Kevin Berne.

Georgia Stevens
Vice Chair
Bellevue, WA
Region 12

Alan Stewart
Trumbull, CT
Region 1

Kristyn Martin
Waynesboro, PA
Region 2

Harrison Beacher
Washington, D.C.
Region 3

2019-2020 Advisory Board members Kristyn Martin and Harrison Beacher. Photo by Kevin Berne.

Michelle Doherty
Alexandria, VA
Region 3

Amanda Lott
Memphis, TN
Region 4

Christopher Ayers
Birmingham, MI
Region 6

Rebecca Donatelli
Solon, OH
Region 6

Incoming 2020 YPN Advisory Board member Krista Knight talks with 2019 YPN Chair Tommy Choi before the meeting in San Francisco. Photo by Kevin Berne.

Heather Haase
Xenia, OH
Region 6

Brad Lois
Burlington, WI
Region 7

Josh Woodward
Owasso, OK
Region 9

Jef Conn
Lubbock, TX
Region 10

Incoming 2020 YPN Advisory Board member Felicia Mares shoots a photo during the San Francisco meeting Nov. 7, 2019. Photo by Kevin Berne.

Krista Knight
San Antonio, TX
Region 10

Lacy Browne
Bozeman, MT
Region 12

Angela Gibson
AE Representative
Boise, ID
Region 12

Felicia Mares
Oakland, CA
Region 13

Erica Christoffer is a contributing editor for REALTOR® Magazine and manager of the YPN Lounge. Connect with her at echristoffer@realtors.org.