April 18, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario - Larry Westergard, Chair of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) Association Executives Committee presents Katrina Steffler, Executive Officer of the Guelph & District Association of REALTORS® (GDAR) with the 2023 CREA Association Executives Network (AEN) Award of Excellence at the CREA AGM held Tuesday, April 18, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario.
Association executives (AEs) are the backbone of the REALTOR® association community.
Executive officers and senior management staff work tirelessly across the country to ensure local and provincial boards/associations continue offering the highest level of services to support their members.
Established in 1989, the AEN Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding dedication and exemplary service. The award was created in the name of Frank Johns, a former Executive Vice-President of the Calgary Real Estate Board. Johns was a mentor and leader among Executive Officers and freely shared his expertise and wisdom for the betterment of the industry throughout his long career.
The AEN Award of Excellence is only presented to an AEN member who exemplifies professionalism, commitment, and leadership within the REALTOR® association community. Each year, nominees are submitted for consideration by their fellow industry peers, and one recipient is selected based on the following criteria:
Service and dedication to the REALTOR® community
Leadership in association management
Co-operation and support to his/her peers
Participation in professional or service organizations
Community involvement, beyond the call of their position
Accomplishments at the board/association
And who, overall, represents the professionalism symbolized by this award.
GDAR is beyond proud to congratulate the 2023 recipient of this award, our very own Katrina Steffler! Thank you to the entire selection committee and to all of those in the community who work daily to better their memberships, the industry, and overall experience for clients.
During his presentation of the award as Chair of CREA's AE Committee, Larry had this to say:
Katrina Steffler exemplifies all the qualities of an outstanding Association Executive and we're proud to recognize her dedication to the industry.
Katrina has 21 years of involvement in the real estate community, supporting the Guelph & District Association of REALTORS® (GDAR) and its members. Since taking the helm as E.O. 12 years ago, Katrina has become a go-to resource for her peers, having consistently taken the time to provide her support and expertise when called upon. Fun fact: she was one of the first in line to complete CREA's Canadian REALTORS® Association Executive designation when it was introduced in 2011.
Through her leadership, GDR has been at the center of many initiatives aimed at improving the member experience and the REALTOR® Association community, including:
Regionalizing MLS® System services in Ontario through the development of ITSO, which now serves close to 20,000 REALTORS® at 18 local real estate boards;
The development of a common member management system in partnership with several surrounding boards;
As well as introducing and implementing an electronic lockbox system for members at GDAR.
During her tenure, Katrina has cultivated an excellent relationship between the Association and its members, always considering what's best for her members when making decisions and constantly advocating on their behalf. This has led to her Association having one of the most engaged memberships in the REALTOR® Association community.
She's also a big proponent of professional development and has placed an emphasis on continuing education at every level to support the success of her Association's volunteers, directors, members, and staff.
Notwithstanding her busy schedule, Katrina always finds time to give back and support her community organizations, most notably her local girls' softball organizations, which is a sport that she's very passionate about.
Katrina is a trusted and respected member of the REALTOR® Association community. So on behalf of the Association Executive Network (AEN), congratulations to the AEN Award of Excellence recipient: Katrina Steffler from the Guelph & District Association of REALTORS®.