Winter 2024 Chicago REALTOR® Magazine

One of the most impactful ways to share your voice is to get involved!
It’s important, Hernandez shared, that we have a seat at the table. We
need to continue to establish our industry as a leader in the city of
Chicago. And, as an association, we can’t continue to grow unless our
members and leaders are willing to step up.
Hernandez encourages members to use their voices for government
affairs and advocacy purposes because she knows the importance
of getting involved all too well. Her leadership journey in the
Chicago Association of REALTORS ® began in 2006 as a volunteer
on a committee focused on House Bill 4050, which addressed
predatory lending in Illinois. This involvement spurred her interest
in government affairs, and she’s been actively involved in our
advocacy efforts ever since, where she uses her voice to amplify the
importance of real estate issues.
This year, she is putting her focus on hot topic advocacy issues like
appraisal biases and inventory shortages. “We need to engage in
intentional conversations with the city’s new administration on
issues like affordable housing and transfer taxes. Each of you have
experiences and talents you can bring forward to help find unique
and collaborative solutions to these issues,” she said.
Following her involvement with the House Bill 4050 committee, she
further expanded her involvement with the association by joining
the Forms & Contracts Committee, and then volunteered on the
Grievance Committee, Finance Committee and RPAC Fundraising
Work Group. From there, Hernandez began serving on our Board
of Directors in 2016. She was also recognized with the association’s
Managing Broker of the Year award in 2017.
Hernandez also uses her voice to unite. Not only does she volunteer
with us, but she is also involved in many different organizations
within our industry, such as the National Association of REALTORS ® ,
Illinois REALTORS ® , Women’s Council of REALTORS ® , Asian Real
Estate Association of America, Dearborn REALTIST ® Board and
National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals.
At the end of the night at the Inaugural Gala,
Hernandez left the audience with a reminder
of the importance of coming together.
“Together, we can accomplish so much. We
are the voice for real estate in Chicago. Your
voice matters.”
So, how will you use your voice this year?
Watch Drussy’s presidential speech
from the 140 th Inaugural Gala.
Left: Immediate past president Sarah Ware, Ware Realty
Group, with newly inducted Chicago Association of
REALTORS ® president Drussy Hernandez, Coldwell
Banker Realty.
Inaugural photo by Marcello Rodarte, Marcello Rodarte
Photography
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