With Women’s History Month coming to a close, NEFAR has chosen to highlight another past female president who has impacted the association and local industry. Here drive to be as involved as she can possibly be is reflected in her many leadership positions held, and her desire to uplift other women in the real estate industry to become leaders is shown through her words of wisdom and advice.
Diana Galavis, a broker – owner at Sound Investments Real estate, has her own unique perspectives on leadership in real estate from her career and presidential term as well. She came into the business following in her mother’s footsteps. “I wanted to make a change and give back to the community and help people. And I saw all the good things that my mother was doing by getting people into homes, first time home buyers and I wanted to do that.,” said Galavis.
Entering leadership in NEFAR came quickly to her. “I have always been a self -starter,” she said. “When I got into the real estate profession, and when I found out there were committees and task forces and an opportunity for me to serve and give my time and talent back to the profession. I raised my hand and I said, “Sign me up!”,” said Galavis. Her leadership journey began when she became a part of the Young Professionals Network, and later became the network’s first ever Chair. “I believe, was a catalyst for my further leadership,” she said.
As she moved up in leadership for the association, Galavis sat in the leadership cabinet and found her desire to be president out of her love for service. “I just wanted to serve and be a part of the process. I liked the legislative side, that we were able to implement policy and shape policy that was going into the community for our roads, our schools, infrastructure, and the things that we’re going to help people. I realized the impact and how powerful the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors was and is and realized I wanted to be a bigger part of that,” said Galavis.
Though there was some uncertainty, as there is with every presidency, Galavis’s term brought many triumphs. “There’s so many things that we did in 2023 that I am very proud of. If I had to pick one I would say that I am very proud that we implemented the municipal key contact program for our legislature here locally and we have members shaping what our city is doing every single day,” she said. Municipal Key contacts are individuals who connect with legislators to help advocate for and advise on how to best protect the rights of agents, buyers, and sellers, and have become an essential part of NEFAR’s impact.
Galavis’s words of guidance for young women who are hesitant about beginning their real estate journey is to jump right in. “If you want to get into real estate, do it. It has been so rewarding to be able to make a difference, not only in the lives of our customers, but in our own personal lives, as well as being able to work in a profession that allows you to help others grow along the way,” said Galavis.
Her strongest belief when it comes to empowering women to take on leadership positions in the industry is helping find and nurture leadership qualities in one another. “We need to identify other women leaders. I think we’re stronger together. And if we’re able to elevate one, we elevate of us. We need women in every committee and every task force so that our voices are heard and that we have input, because if you’re not in the room, how are you going to be able to help shape the future?” she said.
You can view Diana’s full interview below to hear more about her leadership journey, accomplishments, setbacks, and views on how to promote other women in leadership roles within the real estate business.
