Celebrating 10 Years of WomanUP!®
In this special WomanUP!® Live Show, Sara Sutachan, C.A.R. Senior Vice President, Strategy and Engagement Officer and WomanUP!® Co-Founder, was joined by Leslie Appleton-Young, Former C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, First MLS Consultant Chief Economist, and WomanUP!® Co-Founder; and Debra Trappen, Founder of Red Threads Collective, Strategic Advisor, Leadership Architect, and WomanUP!® Co-Founder, to reflect on the origins, growth, and future of WomanUP!®.
What began as an effort to increase the visibility of women leaders in real estate has grown into a community focused on representation, mentorship, sponsorship, and storytelling. Since its first conference in 2017, WomanUP!® has created opportunities for women to connect, lead, and share their experiences.
The 2026 WomanUP!® WaveMakers shared how WomanUP!® affected their lives and careers.
Luisa Zepeda, Broker of Brilla Real Estate, described how the first conference helped her see a different side of real estate. The experience contributed to her decision to leave a corporate position and become an independent broker.
Renee Roque, REALTOR® at Equity Union, shared that WomanUP!® gave her a safe place to tell an imperfect personal story, move beyond past failures, and grow as a leader. She emphasized that the community is not limited to women or brokers and that members can contact experienced leaders for practical guidance.
Regina Singh, Broker Owner of Elevate By Mantra, became involved through the candid WomanUP!® virtual conversations held during 2020. The discussions helped her reconsider retirement, open her brokerage, join C.A.R.’s Leadership Academy, become involved with Women’s Council, and serve as a WaveMaker.
Claudia Diaz, REALTOR® at West Shores Realty, spoke about finding the courage to trust her own voice, recognize her value, and encourage others. She described leadership as a ripple effect in which support received from others is passed forward.
Sabrina Brown, Broker Owner of Pink Key Real Estate, emphasized the importance of representation. Seeing leaders with different backgrounds helped her understand that she belonged in leadership rooms and that her voice needed to be heard. WomanUP!® encouraged her to stop remaining in the background, embrace her authentic personality, and support other women.
As WomanUP!® looks ahead, it will continue to help people recognize the value of their experiences, find their place in the room, and create opportunities for others to do the same. The WomanUP!® mission remains the same: help women move up and find their voice in the real estate business.
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We encourage you to share your journey. Every path matters, and your experiences could inspire others. Share your story with us here: Share Your Story.
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