FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO: Grateful for HGAR
As we enter a new era, HGAR remains steadfast in its commitment to serve and support you—through advocacy, professional development, and programs that empower your business.
HGAR is a leader in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and is committed to diversifying our membership, creating a deeply diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization for our members, and embedding inclusive practices in the ways we work and learn.
This month we celebrate Black History Month and the many contributions that Black Americans have made to our great country. On Feb. 10, we also celebrated the Chinese New Year after installing the first Chinese American president of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors—Carmen Bauman.
I am proud to be a part of one of the most diverse Realtor associations in the entire nation. HGAR is a leader in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and is committed to diversifying our membership, creating a deeply diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization for our members, and embedding inclusive practices in the ways we work and learn.
As the first woman and first Hispanic CEO of HGAR, I can personally attest to the spirit of inclusivity that characterizes our HGAR Professionals, our membership, our volunteer leadership, and our communities and am honored to be part of the continuing commitment to advance DEI.
Undoubtedly, HGAR’s Board of Directors reflects the diversity of its membership and of the greater New York City metropolitan area, where a vast representation of religions, countries of origin, cultures, races, sexual orientations, and ethnicities coexist and thrive.
I commend the work of 2023 DEI Committee Chair Anthony Ruperto and Vice Chair Cheryl Williams and those before them who work diligently to ensure that all HGAR members are heard and included and look forward to working with Chair Williams and Vice Chair Tiffany French Goffe in 2024.
In 2020, HGAR was one of the first Realtor associations to address DEI with a Presidential Advisory Group. As a result of this PAG, the DEI Committee officially launched in 2021. HGAR was also one of the first to hire a DEI Officer—Freddimir Garcia—a dedicated staff professional and expert who has been instrumental in helping HGAR achieve DEI progress and success by creating an even more diverse, equitable, and inclusive professional community in which all members are empowered to learn, thrive, and work as agents for change.
Our DEI work and our diversity make us, in the words of HGAR President Bauman, “Stronger Together.” Every member has a place a HGAR.
We have now completed our new strategic plan, which includes DEI as part of our near-term focus. After approval by the Board of Directors, we will share the plan with you and we believe you will be as excited as we are about the implementation. We continue to encourage you to get involved, helping drive our mission to remain one of the leading and most diverse Realtor associations in the nation.
If you haven’t already, please visit your member portal and complete your Member Engagement Profile. We will soon be finalizing committees and work groups and need your involvement.
I look forward to continuing to connect with many more HGAR Members as the year progresses. Thank you for being a HGAR Member!
Receive original business news about real estate and the REALTORS® who serve the lower Hudson Valley, delivered straight to your inbox. No credit card required.