In real estate, we talk a lot about movement — helping people find homes, change communities and navigate an evolving industry. But the most profound movement often comes from the people who shape us along the way.
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At a recent Anywhere Voices panel, I joined other industry leaders to discuss the progress and challenges women face in real estate. The conversation reinforced something I’ve always believed: This is an industry that includes hundreds of thousands of women, each of whom plays a unique role in pushing all of us forward.
One organization dedicated to that mission is What Moves Her, which empowers women in real estate by fostering leadership and professional growth. Recently, they honored three industry trailblazers with the Moved By Her Power award — women who have made a lasting impact on their communities and the real estate profession.
It got me thinking about the women who have moved me — through their resilience, leadership and the lessons they’ve shared.
The clients who move us
One of the most meaningful parts of real estate is witnessing clients take charge of their future and build a life on their own terms.
I’ll never forget a single woman in San Francisco who searched for her perfect home for three years. We wrote offers, faced disappointments and kept going. She refused to settle — she wasn’t just looking for a place to live; she was building the future she wanted. When she finally closed on her home, it wasn’t just a win — it was proof of her perseverance.
Another client came to me after losing her husband, suddenly facing financial decisions alone for the first time. At the start, she doubted herself. But with every decision, every step forward, her confidence grew. By closing day, she wasn’t just a homeowner — she was standing on her own again.
Seeing that transformation reminded me that real estate isn’t just about transactions — it’s about helping people step into their next chapter with confidence.
The leaders who challenge the status quo
Every day, I have the privilege of working with professionals who redefine what leadership looks like.
Leah McDonough recently acquired ownership of her family brokerage, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Winans, in Dallas, Texas, and she leads with both heart and strategy. She shows that leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room — it’s about authenticity, vision and the courage to lead in a way that stays true to who you are.
Eileen Lacerte, a standout brokerage owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Island Lifestyle in Hawaii, inspires me with her quirky sense of humor and her relentless drive for innovation. With over four decades in the industry, she remains at the forefront of change, teaching agents and businesses how to integrate AI into their businesses to stay competitive.
Women like these remind me that great leadership isn’t about conforming to outdated expectations — it’s about evolving, adapting and bringing others along with you while being unapologetically you.
The mentors who paved the way
Some of the greatest lessons I’ve learned about resilience, reinvention and leadership have come from women who may not even realize the impact they’ve had on me.
My mom has been one of my greatest role models. After 45 years in real estate, she continues to inspire me — not just with her work ethic but with her willingness to take risks. She left behind a successful 30-year practice in Arizona to move closer to our family, starting over in a market where she knew no one. Recently, she lost her husband and partner of 55 years. On top of that, she’s a caregiver to my 96-year-old grandmother.
Watching her navigate so much change while still showing up for her clients and family moves me every single day. I don’t think she even realizes how strong she is.
Grace French, president and founder of The Army of Survivors, taught me what it means to stand up for what you believe in. French had already founded The Army of Survivors, a national advocacy organization for survivors of sexual abuse in sports, before I met her. At the time, she was also working as a junior member of my marketing team.
It was a powerful reminder that leadership and impact aren’t tied to age or titles — sometimes the people we think we’re mentoring end up teaching us. French’s courage, determination and ability to create meaningful change moved me in ways I never expected.
During my time as a senior executive at Capsilon, a mortgage technology company, I had the opportunity to work with Sara Recktenwald, who served on my board. Recktenwald spent 28 years at Goldman Sachs, rising to become a partner and one of the firm’s highest-ranking executives in trading on the West Coast. She is one of the brightest people I have ever met.
Beyond her deep expertise, she taught me how to lead with grace. Whether navigating business shifts or managing high-stakes decisions, she showed me that true leadership isn’t just about making tough calls — it’s about how you carry yourself in the process.
Anjani Bhargava, an executive coach I met through Capsilon, introduced me to the power of mindset, meditation and personal growth as key drivers of professional success. She helped me see leadership not just as a position, but as a way of being — and her insights continue to shape how I approach challenges and opportunities today.
Moving others forward
I believe that one of the most important things we can do as leaders is to lift others up. Throughout my career, I’ve made it a priority to mentor women in real estate, whether that’s helping them navigate the complexities of leadership, encouraging them to take the next big step in their careers or simply being a sounding board when they need support.
There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing a mentee step into her full potential. Whether it’s an agent gaining the confidence to start her own brokerage or a young professional finding her footing in the industry, their success is the best measure of impact.
And beyond those I’ve worked with directly, I think about the countless women I see every day — women who push through personal loss, illness and systemic barriers yet still show up for their families, their teams and themselves. Their quiet resilience is just as powerful as any formal recognition, and they remind me that strength comes in many forms.
The power of being moved
In real estate, we don’t just move people from one home to another — we move each other. We challenge, inspire and shape one another in ways that go far beyond our industry.
As I reflect on the women who have moved me, I’m reminded that leadership isn’t just about what we accomplish individually. It’s about the way we show up for others, the opportunities we create and the impact we leave behind.
I hope we all take a moment to recognize the people who have moved us — and find ways to pay that movement forward.
Ginger Wilcox is the President of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.
