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From Passion to Policy: Getting More Women into Advocacy


During this WomanUP!® Live Show, we gathered three powerhouse leaders to talk about advocacy, leadership, and what it takes to use your voice in real estate. As host Sara Sutachan, C.A.R. Chief Strategy Officer & Senior Vice President, shared at the top of the episode:


“WomanUP!® is about helping women find their voice in this industry, empowering, supporting, and using that voice to create change.” — Sara Sutachan


Meet the Panel:

Laiza Negrete is the C.A.R. Senior Vice President of Political Affairs and Staff Liaison to CREPAC Trustees. Her passion for government affairs stems from a childhood realization, watching major civic moments unfold and asking, "Who is in charge?" "How do we access them?" For Laiza, advocacy and homeownership are inseparable.


“At the core of a democracy is the ability to own a home.” — Laiza Negrete


Pippin Dew is a REALTOR® at Vallejo Gold Inc, C.A.R. Chair of the Public Policy Forum, member of several C.A.R. policy committees, and State Political Coordinator (SPC) for Assemblymember Lori Wilson. She shared a personal story during the episode. After facing housing insecurity as a single mother with a newborn, Pippin rebuilt her life through real estate, eventually serving for 9 years on the Vallejo City Council as a Councilmember and Vice Mayor.


“I'm very passionate about first-time homebuyers and being able to share with them how much it will transform their lives, how much it provides stability, and not just in housing, but also financial stability as well” — Pippin Dew


Beena Khakhria is the Broker of RSBC Holdings Corp and Broker Associate for Evergreen Realty & Associates, C.A.R. Regional Representative for the Local Government Policy Committee for Region 32, and State Political Coordinator (SPC) for Assemblymember Lisa Calderon. She immigrated to the U.S. as a child and entered the lending industry with no formal background. Through mentorship and service, she became Director of Realty for Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire and helped design an innovative equity-share program to support sustainable homeownership.


“Women deserve not just a voice, but a seat at the table.” — Beena Khakhria

 

Advocacy isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about showing up with curiosity. The panel demystified the State Political Coordinator (SPC) role, emphasized staying focused on C.A.R.’s priority issues, and reminded members that real stories are often more impactful than policy jargon.


As C.A.R.'s Annual Legislative Day and major policy conversations are underway, the episode reinforced a simple truth: real estate is inherently political. REALTORS® understand communities, people, and lived impact, making their voices essential.


As Sara reminded us throughout the conversation:

“If you’re in the room, you belong in the conversation.”

 

Resources Mentioned


Connect and Share Your Story

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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