Education

Leadership Academy

Emerging leaders of today will guide the REALTOR® organization of tomorrow. Going into its 18th year, the GAR Leadership Academy (GLA) will train 25 individuals who will be selected from scores of applicants for leadership opportunities in the REALTOR® organization and beyond. Candidates who may best serve as a local or state leader in the future are selected based on their track record of volunteer performance for their local board and/or civic organizations, and their personal integrity. GAR invites you to complete and submit the application for your chance to be a future REALTOR® leader.

Event schedule and application available below.

Seminar Descriptions & Dates

2026 Leadership Academy Events

Leadership Essentials
Monday, February 16, 2026 – 2026 Inaugural Conference, Atlanta
International speaker Bob Harris, CAE, will guide you through the qualities of a Leader, goal setting, governing documents, legal liability, fiduciary duty, and creative thinking. This session includes a networking lunch with the 2026 Georgia REALTORS® Leadership Team.

Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing
Thursday, March 19, 2026 – Savannah Area REALTORS®
Sharon Miller will facilitate Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing, a NAR certificate course that helps real estate professionals interrupt stereotypical thinking so they can avoid fair housing pitfalls and provide equal professional service to every customer or client. Participants will learn about the mind science of identity, study how implicit bias can result in fair housing violations and engage in interactive exercises to enhance communication skills and business relationships with clients of all backgrounds. This course does carry three hours of CE credit.

Public Speaking for Leaders
Thursday, April 23, 2026 – REALTORS® of Greater Augusta
National speaker Juanita McDowell will guide you through communication essentials for REALTOR® Association Leadership.

Executive Committee Meeting
Friday, June 5, 2026 – Georgia REALTORS® Headquarters
Join the 2026 Georgia REALTORS® Executive Committee as a guest to see the leadership in action. Leadership Academy participants are invited to join the committee for a networking lunch. **All participants will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement. **

Parliamentary Procedures / Emotional Intelligence
Thursday, August 13, 2026 – Georgia REALTORS® Headquarters
Lillie McLean will start the day walking you through how the association is governed by an examination of Robert’s Rules of Order, meeting management, agendas and minutes. That afternoon, Michele Pirkle will train you on Emotional Intelligence (EI) and how understanding EI will enhance your leadership skills and put you a path to becoming a better leader.

Taxes and Finances / GAR Immersion Day
Thursday, October 15, 2026 – Georgia REALTORS® Headquarters
Begin the day with Cathy Strobeck, CPA. This session will deepen your knowledge of taxes, finances and financial reporting. During the afternoon session, you will meet with the GAR Staff and hear how each department facilitates the staff-volunteer partnership.

Advocacy Day
November 19, 2026 – Georgia REALTORS® Healey Campus, Atlanta
Start your day with the Governmental Affairs Team! Tour the Georgia REALTORS® Healey Campus space and possibly hear from Legislators throughout the day.

 

**REQUIREMENTS TO COMPLETE THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PROGRAM**
(Leadership Academy recognition will be held at the 2026 Inaugural Conference Awards Presentation)

  • Attend at least six of the seven sessions
    ** Attendance required at Bias Override, March 19, 2026.

    • May take Bias Override at an alternate location. Proof of attendance/completion within the past 3 years (March 2023 – March 2026) will be required.
  • Become C2EX endorsed by NAR NXT 2026 (November 4th, 2026)
  • Attend GAR’s Inaugural and Annual Conference in 2026
  • Complete one of the NAR L.E.A.D Courses https://www.nar.realtor/education/leadership-development/realtor-lead-courses/realtor-lead-building-blocks-course
    • Building Blocks: Grow Leadership Skills
    • Roadmap: Advancing Your Leadership Journey
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
application

Click here to download a copy of the 2026 GAR Leadership Academy Application