New Greater Louisville Realtors association CEO wants to inspire future homeowners. Here's why

On cold December evenings as a child, Jakeeva Lee would get in the family car for a drive through Chicago.

She remembers the glowing houses trimmed for the holidays, with snowmen and Santa Clauses smiling from the front lawns. As she gazed, her mother wondered aloud what it would be like to decorate a home of her own.

“That always stuck with me," she said. "I always remember saying when I would grow up, I'm going to be a homeowner, and I am going make that happen."

When she got a bit older, she’d devour the free booklet of house listings from the grocery store lobby, immersing herself in the details of each home.

Her passion for real estate was clear early on, Lee said. And now, as the newly hired CEO of the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors, it’s her full-time job.

The Chicago native Lee was recently hired following a nationwide search to replace former CEO Lynda Fernandez, who stepped down in August 2023. After nine years working in leadership roles with the Chicago Association of Realtors, Lee made the jump to Louisville leading the trade organization of some 5,500 members.

“I have been so encouraged and so excited about the move to Louisville, and I want to bring the same enthusiasm to future home buyers or future buyers that are moving into the city,” she said.

Uprooting herself from Chicago wasn’t originally in her plans, she said, but when a recruiter reached out and she learned more about GLAR’s strategic plan and commitment to diversity, she was sold.

Lee came to the real estate industry through early career work at a Chicago nonprofit where she learned about management, fundraising, working with boards, and growing membership. Then, at the Chicago Realtor’s association, she held various roles over nearly a decade, her proudest of which involved leading an external affairs department and diversity-related initiatives.

Her work included creating partnerships with multicultural real estate and charitable housing organizations, advocacy work with the government, and coordinating volunteer service days.

“Being the director of that department gave me a lot of pride because I could tangibly see the impact and the influence that grew because of my role and our team's role of how we expanded the value of the association,” she said.

Her work on diversity, equity, and inclusion is personal, she said. She thinks of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which banned racial discrimination in the renting and selling of homes, and how her older relatives weren’t always covered by its protections. Even her parent organization, the National Association of Realtors, didn’t start allowing Black people to join until 1961 and opposed the Fair Housing Act.

"I am proud to see the progress that has been made, but there's a lot more work to do," she said. "So, the DEI piece for me is personal. It comes from a place of trying to make sure that everyone can enjoy and have access to the dream of home ownership."

Lee’s first day on the job was Jan. 3. She plans on getting a Louisville home buyer’s perspective firsthand later this year. With a quick move, Lee is renting now but is watching trends in interest rates and plans to enter the market herself before the year ends.

Collaboration, a big part of her previous role in Chicago, will be a focus in Louisville.

"I'm huge on partnerships and connectivity and networks and expanding and broadening your arm's length reach," she said. "What are the opportunities that we can pursue as an organization and advocate for? How can we collaborate with other housing organizations to bring in more business?"

Two weeks into her new role, Lee said she’s working to get up to speed on all things Louisville while bringing her passion for association management to the organization.

“Right now I'm in listening mode,” she said. “My goal is to make smart business decisions for the association, and, with so many different shifts in the industry and where we are, I want us to remain relevant, competitive and strong."

Growth & development reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at mglowicki@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Meet Jakeeva Lee, new CEO of Greater Louisville Realtors association