By Kevin Hogencamp, Contributing Writer
Audrey Lackie pensively refers to her 13 years of Women’s Council of Realtors involvement and leadership as “the journey.”
And easily the smartest thing she’s ever done in real estate.
A 32-year veteran, Lackie is owner-broker of the 2-year-old The Legends of Real Estate East Coast.
She’s also this year’s Florida Women’s Council of Realtors president.
Lackie says WCR’s training, networking and leadership opportunities have directly contributed to her career triumphs, including successfully launching her Jacksonville Beach-based real estate company.
The resolve to pursue her dream of entrepreneurship was advanced by a huge push from WCR peers throughout the state, she said.
“When you are going to step out and do something like start a company, it’s scary at first,” she said. “But everyone kept saying, ‘This is something you can do.’”
Lackie is paying that help forward.
After observing in recent years that Northeast Florida was underrepresented in WCR Florida, Lackie began paving the way — through encouragement, mostly — for her peers to serve as leaders in the organization.
Now, two other Jacksonville real estate professionals also are state WCR officers, signifying a huge climb up the leadership ladder for a Florida region that hadn’t produced a state president in 24 years.
Lackie hasn’t been alone. For years, a cadre of other Northeast Florida real estate professionals pushed their peers to become committee chairs and serve other leadership roles.
But the endeavor had a clear leader.
“It’s been Audrey. She’s all about developing leaders in our profession in Northeast Florida,” said Andrew Bell, a Legends of Real Estate East Coast associate and the 2016 Florida WCR treasurer.
Founded in 1938, WCR is a national Realtors network that aims to advance women as professionals and leaders in business, the real estate industry and in their communities.
Particularly through training and networking opportunities, WCR participation is among a Realtors’ most valuable asset, Lackie said.
“Personally, when I refer clients, the first thing I look for is whether they (the real estate agents) are a member of Women’s Council. And I always, always encourage participation in the Women’s Council,” she said, noting she also promotes involvement in the National Association of Realtors.
Climbing the WCR leadership ladder starts with committee work by members who recognize the value of service and want to be advocates for their industry.
Lackie makes no bones about it: “We wanted to put Northeast Florida back on the map.”
“For a group of us, it was like, ‘OK, folks this is what we want to do and we need to focus on it,’” she said. “We have great leadership in North Florida and it was a shame that it has taken this long for us.”
Bell is in line to become the Florida WCR president in 2019 and to be the group’s first male leader.
Before Lackie, the most recent local state president was Jacksonville’s Beverly Garvin in 1992.
Rory Dubin, a broker associate with Exit Real Estate Gallery in Jacksonville Beach, was the 2015 WCR of Jacksonville and is a state district vice president this year.
“The concerted effort to increase the quality and size of the local Jacksonville chapter and to develop leaders, is really paying off,” Dubin said.
What’s particularly anomalous — and likely unprecedented — is the co-existence of officemates Lackie and Bell on the state leadership line.
“That’s a big part of this incredible journey,” Lackie said. “And I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything in the world.”
Lackie says her presidency will focus on expanding training participation and opportunities, and supporting WCR’s political action committee, among other initiatives.
She says she’s adopted a slogan, which she concedes is an extension of her personality: “Make it happen.”
At Lackie’s business, an ongoing theme is no dream is too big to realize, no idea is too crazy and accomplishing goals requires focus.
The same goes for WCR, she says.
“My message is, ‘Whatever you are doing and whatever your goals are, roll up your sleeves and make it happen. It’s time to do it,’” she said.
Bell, whose role at The Legends includes serving as career development trainer, says Lackie’s attitude is contagious — on the job and in his WCR leadership role.
“Audrey had a lot to do with me being able to step outside my box and be who I can be,” he said. “But it’s not just Audrey — somebody encouraged her along the way, too.”
Lackie says males have an increasing WCR role in Florida and nationwide, supporting their female peers and benefiting from the networking and leadership opportunities.
Three of WCR Florida’s eight district presidents are men, as are many state committee chairs.
Noting the relationships she’s developed through her WCR involvement, Lackie says she could break down in her vehicle anywhere in Florida and be able to call a fellow WCR member for assistance.
And even a place to stay.
“That’s not just because of being president; that’s the case with all members,” she said. “That’s just how close and tight-knit of a council it is.”