2024 Convention Speakers
OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Egypt Sherrod
HGTV Star, real estate broker, designer, author, life coach, speaker.
Egypt Sherrod is a powerhouse! She is best known as the host and executive producer of HGTV’s hit show “Married To Real Estate” which garnered more than 19 million viewers in it’s first season. Now in it’s third season, it remains one of the networks top 5 rated shows and can now be viewed in more than 13 countries across the globe. You may also recognize her from hit shows such as “Flipping Virgins” and long running hit, “Property Virgins.”
Since her 20’s Egypt has been building her career as a wealth educator and real estate expert. Currently she is the Founder & CEO of Indigo Road family of companies which includes Indigo Road Realty, a residential real estate brokerage, Indigo Road Design Group and Indigo Road Home Furnishings.
In fall of 2023 Egypt Sherrod announced partnerships with Jeffan International, York Wallpaper, Wallpops.com and Lichtenberg to fully round out her line INDIGO ROAD home furnishings. Drawing inspiration from earthy natural elements, dynamic global influence, and the curiosity of world travel, Indigo Road home furnishings and decor are created with timeless and elevated beauty in mind.
Sean Carpenter
SESSION 1: Start Like a Champion
SESSION 2: Getting in Tune with Your Audience: What Real Estate Rock Stars Can Learn from Real Rock Stars
Originally licensed as a REALTOR® in 1998, Sean Carpenter is the former Agent Development Director for the Ohio NRT companies. Sean is an active Realtor in Central Ohio and consults and coaches with the top agents and teams with Coldwell Banker Realty in Columbus and Cincinnati. Sean is a highly regarded speaker that presents at real estate events and conferences across North America. His most popular sessions focus on creating memorable customer experiences, maximizing social and digital media, as well as business planning, leadership, and sales.
Previously recognized by Inman News as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Leaders in Real Estate, Sean was named as one of the “Top 20 Most Influential People in Social Media for the real estate industry” by The Swanepoel Report for the third year in a row.
Sean’s mission is to “teach with passion and enthusiasm instilling confidence and excitement in his students,” and he lives by his philosophy - build relationships, solve problems and have fun.
Bill Dedman
SESSION: Lessons Learned from Long Island Divided
Bill Dedman is a Pulitzer and Peabody award‐winning investigative reporter, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. He has spoken on fair housing and fair lending issues for the National Association of Realtors, the Federal Reserve, HUD, and banking and real estate associations.
Bill received the 1989 Pulitzer Prize in investigative reporting for his work at The Atlanta Journal‐Constitution on The Color of Money, his series on racial discrimination by banks and savings and loan associations in middle‐income Black neighborhoods. The Color of Money led to expanded federal laws on disclosure of loan data, new financing for middle‐income homebuyers, and greater awareness of systemic discrimination. The articles in The Color of Money are online at Power Reporting.
Abhi Golhar
SESSION 1: Lack of Inventory
SESSION 2: Unlock the Power of YouTube: A Blueprint to Supercharge Business Growth
Abhi’s expertise as a business and thought leader in business building, marketing, entrepreneurship, real estate, and investing strategies have been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Inc., and Huffington Post. Abhi is also a 3x nationally syndicated Wall Street Business radio host and the author of Make It Rain, Abhi’s most widely distributed book to over 500,000 real estate professionals nationwide.
As a second-generation Indian-American, Abhi was taught from a very young age how to win. Winning was the objective, regardless of the scars it left in its path. But the first time he encountered failure, he was forced to confront his own doubt and reevaluate what it means to succeed. With his unique blend of humor and relatability, Abhi gives audiences the opportunity to have a true, honest-to-God conversation with themselves about winning with doubt.
Described as a refreshing voice that cuts through the noise of “hacking your way to success,” Abhi equips audiences with the tools and mindset needed to harness doubt as a catalyst for growth.
Chandra Hall
SESSION 1: Maximizing Your Referrals
SESSION 2: Cashing Out: Planning an Exit Strategy for Your Business™
Starting college at age 16, Chandra completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business. In 1993 she founded and operated Innovative Funding, a corporate and non-profit resource partner collaborating with leaders of corporations and non-profit organizations. In 1997, she joined forces with J.P. Weigand & Sons, Inc., in Wichita, Kansas specializing in residential real estate. After completing a Masters Degree in Business Administration in 2000, she became an adjunct instructor for her alma mater followed by a real estate instructor and in 2008, Chandra was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Real Estate Instructor (DREI) designation. She is a past president of the Colorado National Speakers Association.
In addition to being a CRS instructor and a Certified Master Ninja Instructor, Chandra also teaches GRI and ABR courses for real estate groups across the nation. She is the managing broker/owner of Colorado Mesa Realty, LLC, is successful in several aspects of real estate--from residential resale to land development and building new homes and has been recognized as the designer and creative consultant on three award winning Parade Homes in Colorado Springs.
Monica Neubauer
SESSION 1: 5 Ways to Communicate Your Business Model: What Value Do You Bring the Client?
SESSION 2: Enjoy Real Estate Again! 8 Tips to Overcoming Burnout
Monica Neubauer is an international speaker, award-winning real estate agent, and lifelong entrepreneur with over 20 years of industry experience. She hosts two podcasts, including NAR’s Center for REALTOR Development podcast and has been featured in national media outlets. She is a Certified Speaking Professional™ with the National Speaker Association. Monica is the author of "Straight Talk for Real Estate Success" and a contributor to "Own the Microphone."
As a Franklin, TN native, she has extensive knowledge of the area and has sold hundreds of houses in Middle Tennessee. Monica can connect agents and clients with excellent agents nationwide and globally. She is also an expert in Everything DiSC, transforming relationships through targeted communication. Additionally, Monica loves adventure! As the Maverick Motivator, she is dedicated to helping people grow in positive directions in their personal and professional lives.
Ifoma Pierre
SESSION 1: Agent Extinct: How to Survive the Ever-Changing Real Estate Market
SESSION 2: Hot Sauce, Please!! Proven Strategies to Spice Up your Real Estate Marketing
Ifoma Pierre is a licensed real estate associate broker who has built a successful
career in New York real estate and gained recognition as an influential business coach
and leadership trainer. He is the creator of the G.E.M Coaching Program which
specializes in helping real estate agents become better marketers. Please help me
welcome Ifoma (Ee-FOMA) Pierre.
Virginia REALTORS® Staff Speakers
Jon Haley
As Associate General Counsel for Virginia REALTORS®, Jon is involved in every aspect of the association’s legal responsibilities. He works with the rest of the legal team to teach, create podcasts and legal videos, and draft legal briefs for the Supreme Court of Virginia. Jon graduated from the College of William and Mary and the University of Richmond School of Law, then clerked for a judge before starting at a large claims administration law firm. After spending several years with Virginia REALTORS®, he worked at a settlement company in the Fredericksburg area and gained valuable experience before coming back to VAR. He likes to cook and play music in his spare time, which is a rare commodity with two sons running around his house. He and his wife, Mandy, reside with their boys in Mechanicsville.
Ryan Leonard
Ryan is a graduate of the University of Richmond School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Virginia and Washington, DC. He has a background working as an attorney in private practice, volunteering for legal organizations such as Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Legal Aid Society of San Diego, and Animal Legal Defense Fund, as well as experience in the private sector in a variety of non-legal fields. When he is not working as Staff Counsel for Virginia REALTORS®, Ryan works as an adjunct professor of political science at Brightpoint Community College.
Laura M. Murray
Virginia REALTORS® General Counsel Laura M. Murray started working at Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS® (NVAR) as a legal intern the summer between her second and third year of law school. After graduation, she accepted a full-time position as an attorney at NVAR. Three years later, an opportunity opened up at Virginia REALTOR® that would allow her to use the Regulatory Law Certificate she had earned in law school; she applied and was hired! Just over three years and three promotions later, she was made General Counsel.
Sejal Naik
SESSION: Economic and Real Estate Market Outlook
Prior to joining Virginia REALTORS® as the Deputy Chief Economist, Sejal worked as an Economist at the US Securities and Exchange Commission. She has also contributed to economic research and analysis at the American Bankers Association, Freddie Mac, and The Advisory Board Company. She graduated with a master’s degree in Finance from the University of California San Diego and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from George Mason University.
Besides her passion for economic research and writing, Sejal enjoys traveling, reading historical fiction, exploring old architecture, and trying out new Thai food restaurants as often as she can.
Ryan Price
SESSION: Economic and Real Estate Market Outlook
For more than a decade, Ryan has honed his knowledge of Virginia’s housing market. Before stepping into his current role of Virginia REALTORS® Chief Economist, Ryan served as the association’s Deputy Chief Economist. Prior to joining our team, he served as the President of the research consulting firm LSA Planning, as an Urban Planner for the City of Alexandria, and as part of the research team at the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Even before joining VAR full time, Ryan spent years contributing to our research, including the monthly Virginia Home Sales Report and our quarterly regional market reports. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from James Madison University and a master’s degree in urban planning from Virginia Tech.
