Valerie Garcia helps people create extraordinary customer experiences, find joy in messy authenticity, and dive head-first into new ideas. Using creative storytelling and nuts-and-bolts strategies to ensure that audiences truly enjoy learning, Valerie is known for delivering motivation and truth with her signature straightforward style and sense of humor. A sought-after speaker, coach, and consultant, Valerie has led thousands of keynote presentations, workshops, and leadership development workshops globally, working with some of the world’s best-known brands. Valerie is the bestselling author of the book, We’re Gonna Need Cake: Celebrating Authentic Leadership in a Messy World.

As one of the Canadian Real Estate Association’s economists, Ryan Biln helps provide housing market intelligence to various stakeholders in the real estate industry. Ryan has a master's degree in economics from the University of Ottawa and has been with CREA for more than eight years. Born and raised in British Columbia, Ryan enjoys snowboarding, dining out, and spending quality time with family and friends.

David was born and raised in Winnipeg and has been actively selling real estate there for over 15 years. Alongside Tom Blumberg, they have grown Monopoly Realty into a unique full service boutique brokerage with a particular focus on luxury real estate. Over the years they have developed a reputation for locating hard to find product as well as sourcing the right buyers for the purchase of larger properties. David has used his passion for networking and meeting new people as the perfect real estate matchmaking tool. In his spare time, David loves spending time at the lake with his wife Sarah and their two girls. He is also very active in the community and has served on many boards and committees including the Executive of the Asper Jewish Community Campus, BGC Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art as well as co-chairing a large committee at the Manitoba Real Estate Association.

Dr. Jim Clifford, Associate Professor of History at the University of Saskatchewan, studies how property regimes and land settlement transformed the Canadian Prairies. His current research examines the complex intersection of homesteading policies, Indigenous displacement, and real estate development in Saskatchewan from 1870-1930. Drawing on his family's history as homesteaders in the Lac Pelletier region, alongside research on Métis and First Nations communities, Dr. Clifford maps how federal policies systematically advantaged certain groups while dispossessing others. His work provides crucial historical context for understanding contemporary land ownership patterns and property rights in Saskatchewan. Dr. Clifford has published extensively on environmental and social history, including a book on industrial development in nineteenth-century London (England), and brings an international perspective to Saskatchewan history.

Informed by his decade and a half as a Realtor, Greg's work with ReallyTrusted was inspired by a desire to make it easier for real estate professionals to comply with their regulatory obligations. That vision led to the creation of ReallyTrusted, which provides real estate and mortgage brokerages with turnkey FINTRAC compliance solutions. Greg also hosts the Know Your Compliance podcast, where he shares insights on navigating compliance in the real estate industry. When he's not working to simplify compliance, he’s a proud father of four girls and grateful for the love and patience of his incredibly understanding wife.

Jeremy Finkelstein, MBA, has worked in real estate marketing for over 25 years, in both resale and pre-construction housing. In his role with Harvey Kalles, Jeremy manages the marketing department, builder relations and pre-construction sales, and partnerships with our global real estate affiliates.

Chris, CRAE, ICD.D, CTAJ, is the CEO of the Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association (SRA), the only professional real estate association in Saskatchewan following an amalgamation of several associations. She has a wealth of leadership expertise in real estate, transformation and governance. In her previous role as CEO of the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association, her team won two national leadership awards in back-to-back years. Chris is also vice-chair of Saskatchewan Government Insurance and SGI Canada, where she oversees the corporation’s $238M technological transformation project as chair of its corporate transformation committee.

Lynette Keyowski is Managing Partner at REACH Canada, with over 15 years of leadership in North American real estate. With experience as CEO and CTO, she drives innovation through technology and collaboration. Since mentoring with REACH in 2014, she has led industry initiatives nationwide and advised both national and international real estate companies on strategic growth. In 2020, she steered the Canadian rollout of the REACH scaleup program, bringing her practical insights to life through strategic investments, expert advisory, and thought leadership that sit at the intersection of real estate, technology, and capital. Holding a Master’s in Economics and the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, Lynette combines solid business acumen with a commitment to modernizing the industry. As an entrepreneurial leader, she builds trusted partnerships and embraces new ideas.

Erin is the CEO of SREDA, the economic development organization dedicated to advancing the Saskatoon Region. Appointed in June 2023, she is the first female CEO in the organization's history. Erin joined SREDA in 2015, serving most recently as the Chief Marketing Officer. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Erin holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan. Under her leadership, SREDA champions the people, potential, and prosperity of Saskatoon and surrounding communities. Erin is passionate about fostering meaningful relationships and collaboratively ensuring a diverse and dynamic economy. Committed to being a steward of progress, she is dedicated to addressing community needs and creating opportunities for growth and success. Erin takes pride in leading an organization that plays a vital role in shaping Saskatoon, a City she’s proud to call home.

Mike McAra is a cross-discipline startup founder/investor with a BSc and an MBA. He co-built Canada’s largest real estate tech accelerator, invested in 40+ startups, and advised $100M+ capital raised.

A creative content specialist with a background in communications, brand strategy and copywriting. Clay has helped brands in industries ranging from hospitality to holistic skincare develop their brand voice, reach new audiences and realize their full potential. Since joining M, Clay has been integral in developing and managing impactful marketing and social media campaigns in addition to elevating our overall communications standards. A lover of words with a passion for design and strategy, Clay is constantly exploring new avenues and conversations in his work to realize our vision.

Raiana has a lifetime education in real estate. Her mother, Sally McGarr, is the founder of one of Niagara’s longest running and most successful independent brokerages and one of the top Realtors in Niagara. Working alongside her husband Cam Schwenker, Raiana combines her family experience, family values, and unique flair to ensure her clients’ success. Raiana loves the relationships she’s able to build with clients that allow her to use her skills, including problem-solving, interior design and marketing.

Born and raised in Greater Vancouver, Kevin recognizes what a great place this is. His passion for real estate and the real estate industry permeates throughout all his day to day activities. As Owner/Managing Broker with Dexter, Kevin works with the team of REALTORS® at Dexter to provide first class, professional service. Kevin is involved with BCREA developing standard forms and at the Real Estate Board on the Arbitration Committee. Professionalism is extremely important in Real Estate, and Kevin works hard to ensure that is provided to his clients. With one son and a love of the outdoors, Kevin enjoys getting out cycling.

Kirsten Smith is a dynamic leader and real estate expert with CIR REALTY, bringing over 15 years of industry experience to the stage. Known for her strategic insights and passion for helping realtors thrive, Kirsten has played a key role in supporting agents through market shifts, innovative marketing strategies, and business development initiatives.

For more than two decades, Lindsey Smith has obsessed over better ways to build, grow, and operate businesses. After running a successful real estate team and consulting company, Lindsey joined CIR REALTY in 2008 and is now CEO and co-owner. If Lindsey is not in the office, he is likely on the golf course, studying business books, getting some exercise or hanging out with his wife and son. CIR REALTY is the #1 producing independent real estate brokerage in Alberta, Canada, with over 900 Realtors and staff. CIR's driving purpose is simple: We Make Real Estate Easy.

Paul Boomsma is President and CEO of LeadingRE, working closely with the Board of Directors and leadership team to deliver programs that support the success of our members. He created the highly-successful Luxury Portfolio International® program, previously serving as its president. Paul began his career marketing luxury office towers and later joined a top residential real estate firm, before becoming the National Marketing Director for a major franchise. He is a frequent industry speaker on topics that include consumer trends, global business practices, and innovation in real estate. Among his distinctions, has been named to RISMedia’s Newsmakers Hall of Fame, the Swanepoel Power 200, and Inman’s Most Influential.

Born in the USA, but of Congolese origins, Billy’s life and aspiration continues to be marked by his relentless pursuit for meaning in his professional and personal life. At the age of 17 years old, he fled the Democratic Republic of The Congo (DRC) due to the civil unrest and begin his life anew in the US. Billy began his career in Real Estate as a newly licensed with a local real estate firm in Northern Virginia shortly after completing his MBA at the College of William & Mary, and eventually managed the firm’s lead generation department, and later its development and growth in some of its key markets. He now serves as Vice President of Global Business Development for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World ® focusing on Network growth in select global markets, and membership engagement in Africa, Canada, and parts of the European Union. Billy is married to Karen (a real estate attorney), and resides in Lovettsville, VA with their two sons.

As Vice President, Global Communications for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, Robin LaSure oversees the company’s public relations and leads select strategic marketing initiatives, including industry relations and global communications. Working closely with LeadingRE’s global team serving member firms in 70+ countries, she is experienced in marketing to a diverse international audience. Named a 2024 Inman Marketing All Star, she has been with LeadingRE (and its legacy networks) for 30 years, working in various roles relating to marketing, public relations, events, and vendor relations.