As hundreds of local business leaders gathered at the Denver Marriott City Center on Thursday, August 16, in celebration of the Denver Business Journal’s 2012 Outstanding Women in Business, RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly took the stage as the leading business woman in real estate.
Although Kelly continues to skillfully lead RE/MAX through the real estate recovery, becoming a CEO of an international company wasn’t necessarily on her radar when she began her career with the company in 1987.
Dave Liniger, RE/MAX Chairman and Co-founder notes, “The VP came up to me and said, ‘You have a woman who’s working in the accounting department, and we’re totally wasting her talents. She could be running the company one day.’”
That she did. In 2005, Kelly accepted the position as the company’s CEO. Today, Kelly has become a respected national spokeswoman. Her guidance has expanded the company internationally, increasing the global presence of RE/MAX by 51 percent to more than 85 countries.
Despite the recent housing economy downturn, the company notes that Kelly has remained passionate about helping both agents and consumers. She is continuously welcomed to the sets of leading business channels, such as CNBC, CNN and Bloomberg, allowing her to share knowledge and expertise about the current real estate market.
Not only does she have a significant influence in the business sector, but also a commitment to community involvement as well. As a 12-year survivor of breast and cervical cancer, Kelly supported the national sponsorship of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. To date, RE/MAX has raised more than $120 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and a variety of other charities.
“Being involved with your community has exponential impact on those around you, especially something that is a part of whom I am and who a lot of us are,” Kelly says. “Giving back is rewarding and contagious, so I encourage everyone to do the same.”
As the organization nears its 40th anniversary in early 2013, Kelly continues to emphasize some primary RE/MAX elements – trust, independence and community involvement.
For more information, visit www.remax.com or www.joinremax.com.
