REALTOR® members can cast their votes for candidates for election/reelection to the 2023 Board of Directors online. Voting has opened today and will continue through noon on Friday, September 9, 2022.
The eBallot electronic voting application is a secure site operated by Votenet, an online voting and election system. You can cast your ballot now by clicking on the URL link at the bottom of this page, or you can vote at a later time by going to the my.sfrealtors.com home page and following the "REALTORS® Vote Here" link to the ballots. (REALTOR® members can log in by typing in their 6-digit member IDs, including any lead zeros, and passwords. Please do not allow auto-population of your credentials as they may have changed.) Thank you!
Each nominee has been allowed to submit a personal statement describing his/her background, experience and service activities in support of his/her candidacy. The statements, as prepared by the candidates, are set forth below with the names of the candidates arranged alphabetically.
REALTOR® OR DESIGNATED REALTOR® MEMBER ELECTED/REELECTED FROM A BROKERAGE WITH MORE THAN 75 REALTOR® MEMBERS
(One Vacancy)
VANESSA R. GAMP—Willowmar Real Estate, 580 4th Street, San Francisco, California 94107
I've been a proud SFAR REALTOR® since 2008 and am honored to be running to serve on the SFAR Board of Directors. I have been volunteering for SFAR since 2012 (and SFWCR since 2008) and have a true passion for standing up for ALL REALTORS®. I am a working mother with 3 crazy kids and have many years under my belt of juggling all the hats we wear as agents. I feel first hand the pains agents face when something is lacking in our Association as well as the joys when new progress is made.
I have been VERY actively working with the DEI Committee and the MLS and Tech Committee these past few years with some big changes to how our Association serves its members. There is still lots of work to be done, and I'm asking for your vote in an effort to help continue bringing the "Actively Selling REALTOR®" and "BIPOC REALTOR®" viewpoints to all discussions surrounding the tools we have access to and the support agents need. I am a team player, out-of-the-box thinker, tech forward, and collaborative leader who is also not afraid to make her voice heard. I am humbly asking today for your vote so I can continue to fight for SFAR being on the forefront of Real Estate associations across the country and, most importantly, to continue to improve the daily experience for my fellow REALTORS® out in the field!
2020-2022 CAR Region 8 Director
2020-2022 SFAR Board of Director
2020-2022 SFAR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Member
2022 SFAR Executive Committee Member
2022 SFAR MLS and Technology Committee Chair
2015 San Francisco Women's Council of REALTORS® President
MICHAEL YRAZABAL—Compass, 2099 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94114
I would greatly appreciate your consideration, and vote, for the SFAR Board of Directors. I have volunteered to serve on the SFAR Standard Forms Committee for the past 6 years. This year, I am the Vice Chair of the Standard Forms Committee, and I expect to Chair the Committee in 2023.
Our SFAR standard forms are essential to our daily business, and I am proud to play a part in creating and revising them, on your behalf. Incorporating new local and State Laws into our forms is not easy, and I would like to acknowledge the exemplary effort of our SFAR staff, as well as the legal team that functions as such an integral part of this process. In my current role, I am honored to assist Chair David Parry, in any manner possible. During monthly meetings, I am the Zoom Driver, making sure that all agenda Items are properly presented, and facilitating purposeful conversation by always having pertinent information available at a moment’s notice.
Having a voice when discussing, formulating, and finalizing SFAR standard forms has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my decade long career as a REALTOR®. I am a 4th generation San Francisco native on my mother’s side and am a 2nd generation REALTOR®, succeeding my father, Robert, who is comfortably retired, and enjoys it when I pass along hellos from many of you.
Should I be granted the opportunity, I hope to continue, as best I can, to be able to shape SFAR into the Association that leads California into adopting pertinent forms and continues to serve the San Francisco agent community.
REALTOR® OR DESIGNATED REALTOR® MEMBER ELECTED/REELECTED AT-LARGE
(Three Vacancies)
ALINA M. AEBY—Compass, 1699 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California 94109
My name is Alina Aeby and I’m a global real estate consultant.
I’m a San Francisco resident and homeowner, and I raised my daughter in the City.
While I’ve enjoyed my local real estate practice for 16 years, I spend a lot of my time volunteering and promoting our profession and San Francisco at national and international levels.
I had the pleasure to co-chair SFAR Global Business Council in 2019, and together with my colleagues I enjoyed promoting our City and its real estate opportunities to brokers and investors from more than 30 countries during the NAR convention in San Francisco.
As the 2022 NAR Global Coordinator for Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, I manage bilateral partnerships with 21 countries, and I lead a team of 8 Global Ambassadors.
Our team built a global network to help the Ukrainian refugees. A ‘Realtors for Ukraine” movement was born to connect refugees with housing and resources. I continue to work with the NAR leadership for finding global housing solutions for crises to come.
I’d love to bring my leadership skills, global academic background and international perspective to the SFAR members, especially during these changing times.
I believe that every single SFAR REALTOR® member should have opportunities and access to proptech tools, business networking and information. The role of a professional association is very important in times of crises and change, be it pandemics, a changing market or recession.
As REALTORS®, we’re an important segment of the local economy, we have undeniable civic responsibilities, and we can work together to reshape San Francisco into a global city of the future.
I want nothing more than to be your voice on the SFAR Board, and I invite all of you to be part of the solutions together.
LAUREN E. BENSINGER—Sotheby’s International Realty, 2001 Lombard Street, San Francisco, California 94123
As a current member of the SFAR Board of Directors, the Manager’s Council, the Strategic Planning Committee 2022, and a board member and past president of the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, San Francisco, I am committed to servicing all SFAR members, and the real estate community. My role as a board member is to listen to the needs of all members and maintain the Association’s role in supporting each members’ success in their business. I continuously work to provide the best service and to help establish the role of SFAR as being the indisputable source of providing valuable, timely and accurate information to all SFAR members and to San Francisco residents and the community.
I am honored to be a candidate for SFAR’s 2023 Board of Directors, and I thank you for your vote.
JASON CHU—Ambiance Real Estate, 1342 9th Avenue, San Francisco, California 94122
I joined SFAR in 1991, and became a Designated-Broker in 2012. I also worked for my father’s office (SFAR member beginning in 1983). Despite those four decades and contributions to more than a dozen committees and campaigns, I am the underdog Director-candidate.
Without diminishing the efforts of current/past Directors (mostly from large firms), Independents need a voice on the Board that understands our unique needs. (Admittedly, larger brokerage “teams” may identify with independents, as we both run in “smaller packs” -- relying on teammates’ tenacity and ingenuity.) At smaller firms, the systems, software, education, advisors, and vendors selected by SFAR may be our only choices. Past Directors have worked tirelessly on SFAR’s suite of tools/courses, but mobile-apps lack full-functionality, and we thirst for training to take deeper advantage of existing tools. Legacy back-ends hamper us technologically.
We need unbiased support and advocacy from the SFAR when it comes to issues of ethics and questionable behavior – especially when David is facing Goliath, or data miners publish inflated/inaccurate estimates that confuse the consumer or support their speculation efforts.
In the past, many SFAR printed/carbon forms had translated versions. Somewhere along the way, I am sure for good legal or standardization reasons, key standard forms were made available only in English and only online. As CAR reports, the majority of foreign buyers of US real estate are Chinese - a key market for Members. As a Realtor® of Chinese descent, I can attest that barriers to understanding and full disclosure are real – for my clients, other companies’ clients, and my fellow Realtors®. With new technology, multi-lingual forms no longer have to be cumbersome. As my aging parents lose their vision and become the target of scams/fraud, I know they and other seniors would benefit from hardcopy, LARGE PRINT contracts for real estate transactions.
SUSAN A. GETZ—Compass, 891 Beach Street, San Francisco, California 94109
As a longtime member of the San Francisco Association of REALTORS®, I have enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of our community. Being a REALTOR® is more than a job; we help people make some of the most important decisions of their lives. Real estate is an investment, but it can be much more than that. Frequently, and more importantly, the real estate we advise our clients about becomes their home.
I currently serve as Chair of the 2022 San Francisco Association of REALTORS® Global Business Council after several years as a committee member. In this position, I work to provide networking, education, information, and resources to further improve the professionalism and success of our members in local and global real estate markets. It would be an honor to continue to volunteer and serve as a board member for our organization.
KELVIN KAM—Sequoia Real Estate, 1595 Balboa Street, San Francisco, California 94121
Hey Everyone! My name is Kelvin Kam and I’m running for one of the open positions for the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Association of REALTORS®.
I’ve been an active member for 15 years and, for the longest time, I’ve told myself to just focus on our brokerage and our agents as I really didn’t think I had the capacity to take on more responsibilities. But last year, I was inspired by one of our associates, Sabina Alieva Girsh, Past President of Women’s Council of REALTORS®. She encouraged me to join the WCRBoard with her and I did. And, yes, I did have to carve out a little time from my normal routine, but I learned a lot from the other Board members and gained some insight on how to grow personally and in my business.
This year, I’m on the Managers Council Committee at SFAR and, at our very first meeting, we discussed the importance ofinvolving more of our members from all the brokerages, especially the independent ones.
That’s when I realized where I can potentially help and be that bridge connecting with our members at different companies, big and small, of various backgrounds and cultures.
A few weeks ago, I received an email from Allen Okamoto, the first Asian American President of SFAR. His words ofencouragement inspired me to take this step forward and to do my part to help out the Association.
Thank you for your time and, if you’re an SFAR member, I would appreciate your vote when the ballots come out on August 22nd.
LUIS P. MORAN—Coldwell Banker Realty, 1560 Van Ness Avenue, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, California 94109
Through my work on the SFAR DEI and Nominating Committees, I’ve had the good fortune of building strong and meaningful relationships with fellow agents, committee members, officers, and directors. The character and professionalism of the individuals I have worked with inspires me to dedicate all the time and effort necessary to ensure that SFAR continues to be the standard-bearer for providing agents with the tools and resources necessary to succeed and thrive.
I am a native of San Francisco, attended Saint Ignatius College Prep, Cal, and the Law School at Cal. I have been involved with community service and social justice for most of my life. I have served on several boards and have held officer level positions with several organizations. I currently serve as President of the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Rotary Foundation. Professionally, I have been with Coldwell Banker Realty as a broker associate since 2010. I currently co-chair the CB DEI Network for Northern California and have been mentoring new CB agents for several years.
If you allow me the opportunity to serve you as a director on the SFAR Board of Directors, I promise to work diligently and tirelessly to ensure that your voice is always heard, and your expectations are not only met but exceeded. If we haven’t had the opportunity to meet in person, I hope we are able do so in the very near future.
ASHLEY C. PETTY—Mosaik Real Estate, 580 4th Street, San Francisco, California 94107
I am an extremely passionate REALTOR® who wants to make a difference. Being the Chair of Young Professionals Network Committee in 2022 has taught me the importance of collaboration and communication. My goal is to continue to learn and help fellow REALTORS® get their ideas heard.
MASOOD SAMEREIE—Aria Properties, 4406-B 18th Street, San Francisco, California 94114
Real Estate is my passion. I love San Francisco, and it is important for me to be involved with the Real Estate community. I have served at the Association over the years in various committee appointments. I have enjoyed my work with the Association because it has allowed me the opportunity to share my experience with peers. It also affords me the ability to work with others to resolve key issues that come before the Association. I believe that, as a member of the Board of Directors, I could advance my interest and participation with the Association, working with other Directors to improve and/or further the goals of the organization.
REBECCA WHITE—Intero Real Estate Services, 2626 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, California 94132
Hello Colleagues,
I’m running for re-election to our Board of Directors because I care about you: my friends and colleagues and our Association. I’ve always believed in giving back and being of service. I am proud to be of service to our REALTOR® community by serving as a Director.
It has been an interesting experience being on the Board these past few years. I have endeavored to serve you as best I could.
What sets me apart?
I am all about fairness and transparency. I believe in asking questions so that I understand the issues affecting all of us. I want to help our Board and how we operate become more transparent, open to, and responsive to all of us agents. I promise to continue advocating for what I think is fair and to be all about transparency, if I am re-elected.
I am a full-time residential agent and have been licensed in California since 1984. I have lived in San Francisco for 22+ years. I have served on half a dozen committees and continue to serve on Governmental Relations. I was Chair of the Global Business Council in its heyday and helped with the bitcoin event and arranging tours for international guests when NAR was in San Francisco. I am also on the Board for the Chinese Real Estate Association of America. I live at Ocean Beach in the Outer Richmond with my four pets. Animals and animal rescue are my passions. I plan to have a Farm Sanctuary in the near future!
Thank you for your vote of confidence. Please feel free to call or text me 415-412-1977 if you have any questions or I can be of assistance.
KIMBERLY J. WONG—KW Advisors, 1624 California Street, San Francisco, California 94109
If I have not met you yet, I am Kimberly Wong and I have been involved with SFAR for six years. From our Annual CAR Legislative Day to volunteering for every REALTOR® Give Back Day, I love being actively involved. I am honored to currently be your Vice Chair for SFAR’s Governmental Relations Committee. Previously, I have enjoyed being a committee member of the Global Business Council and I currently hold a board position with the San Francisco Unified Lions Club. In the past, I have held leadership positions with AREAA for many years. Through my rich leadership experiences, I continue to gravitate towards being in greater service to our exceptional REALTORS® at SFAR. Our marvelous organization is the foremost in our industry in large part due to the fact that we, San Francisco REALTORS®, set high standards of excellence in our real estate field.
My commitment to you, like our fiduciary obligation to our clients, will be my fiduciary service to you! Let us collaborate in fighting for homeownership rights and quality of life in San Francisco. Let us be the solution in revitalizing what it means to live and invest in San Francisco! We truly are stronger together and homeownership matters!
As your SFAR Board of Director, I promise to hold to high standards, ensure balance and integrity in decision-making and leverage my talents to make our ability to practice real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area better. When I commit, I am professional, driven, hard working and I always deliver on my word and results. I will be open to hearing your valued concerns and I will prioritize streamlining our SFAR technology to optimize our time and processes. Your support is much appreciated! Thank you for your vote!
