Promoting diversity within Realtor® membership

 Minnesota Realtors® (MNR) promotes inclusivity within our membership and the real estate industry—we value the diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives that strengthen the profession. MNR’s Pathway to Achievement Program aims to increase diverse representation by providing newly licensed Realtors® with essential resources, mentorship, and guidance to support a sustainable and successful career. 

Pathway to Achievement forges an alliance between the recipient, sponsoring broker, the local Realtor® association, and MNR. The sponsoring brokers play a vital role by assigning a mentor and assisting with educational training for the recipients. The mentorship, training, and startup assistance are designed to maximize the recipient’s potential for success in the real estate industry during their first year as a licensee. 

Program Expectations and Ideal Candidate Guidelines

  • Must be 18 years of age
  • Must be newly licensed Realtor® within the past year (not relicensed). Licensed on or after October 2024.
  • Must have completed new member orientation at Local Realtor® association by the interview date, no exceptions
  • Demonstrates what it takes to be a successful Realtor®
  • Must represent diversity through multicultural identity, lived experience or perspective
  • Must have prepared a one-year or five-year business plan
  • Sponsoring broker must complete an application and provide a mentor 

Program Award

  • One year of Realtor® association dues (local, state, and national)
  • Six months of MLS fees
  • Six GRI courses, which count toward C.E. (continuing education) credits
  • Free MNR UNITE! convention ticket 

2025-2026 APPLICATION & AWARD SCHEDULE  

September 4: Applications OPEN 
October 10: Applications CLOSE
October 13–October 31: Applications Reviewed by MNR
November 3–November 28: Interviews + Recipients Selection
December 1: Notification to recipients, brokers, and local associations  

For more information, contact Donnie Brown at dbrown@mnrealtor.com

Apply to Join the Pathway to Achievement Program!

NOTE: MNR uses a platform called REVIEWR for our application process. Applications will be filled out and submitted within REVIEWR.

HOW TO APPLY

For Applicants

  1. Create a REVIEWR account (or log in to your existing account) to begin your application.
  2. Complete all required fields, including your Sponsoring Broker’s contact information and submit the application.
    • Once submitted, your Sponsoring Broker will automatically receive an email notification to complete their portion of the application.

For Sponsoring Brokers

  1. When your applicant lists you as their broker in a submitted application, you will receive an automated email from REVIEWR with instructions.
    • Please wait for this notification from REVIEWR before beginning your portion of the application. 

  2. Follow the link in the email to create or log in to your Reviewr account.
  3. Complete all required fields in the broker application and submit.


2025 Pathway to Achievement Recipients

Congratulations to the 17 Pathway to Achievement scholarship recipients for 2025! We’re excited to watch these new agents grow and thrive in their real estate careers.

Leanda Andrade

Leanda Andrade

RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Broker: Ryan O'Neill
St. Paul Area Assoc. of Realtors®

Nahom Asefeha

Nahom Asefeha

Edina Realty
Broker: Cristina Young
St. Paul Area Assoc. of Realtors®

William Bishop

William Bishop

Keller Williams Preferred Realty
Broker: Melissa Johnson
St. Paul Area Assoc. of Realtors®

Vernie Earl

Vernie Earl

Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest
Broker: Gregg Hartos
Minneapolis Area Realtors®

Lester Gonquoi

Lester Gonquoi

Realty 32
Broker: Lou Tran
St. Paul Area Assoc. of Realtors®

Elizabeth Gullickson

Elizabeth Gullickson

Coldwell Banker Realty
Broker: Rob Phyle
St. Paul Area Assoc. of Realtors®

Alexis Hammond

Alexis Hammond

Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest
Broker: Gregg Hartos
Minneapolis Area Realtors®

Phil Howard

Phillip Howard

Keller Williams Integrity Realty
Brokers: Claire Shaw 
Minneapolis Area Realtors®

Neal Jeter

Neal Jeter

Keller Williams Premier Realty
Broker: Kevin Campbell
Minneapolis Area Realtors®

Ines Lazo Sanchez

Ines Lazo Sanchez

Keller Williams Premier Realty
Broker: Michael Olsen
St. Paul Area Assoc. of Realtors®

Yasser Matter

Yasser Matter

Bridge Realty
Broker: Tony Oskooi
St. Paul Area Assoc. of Realtors®

Trang Nguyen

Trang Nguyen

Edina Realty
Broker: Vonda Herding
Realtor® Association of Southern Minnesota

Tyron Searight

Tyron Searight

Northstar Real Estate Associates
Broker: James Yacoub
St. Paul Area Assoc. of Realtors®

DeSean Smedley

DeSean Smedley

Edina Realty
Broker: Jamar Hardy
Minneapolis Area Realtors®

Krystal Queen-Sullivan

Krystal Queen-Sullivan

Coldwell Banker Realty
Broker: Thomas Rehman
Minneapolis Area Realtors®

Royshundria Thomas

Royshundria Thomas

Keller Williams Premier Realty
Broker: Michael Olsen
St. Paul Area Assoc. of Realtors®

Leah Williams

Leah Williams

Keller Williams Realty Integrity
Broker: Claire Shaw
Minneapolis Area Realtors®

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pathway to Achievement Program?

MNR’s Pathway to Achievement Program is designed to promote diversity within the Realtor® membership by engaging more people not in Minnesota's racial majority and in a manner designed to enhance the probability of long-term success in the real estate profession.

MNR’s Pathway to Achievement Program forges an alliance between the recipient, the sponsoring broker, the local association, and Minnesota Realtors® (MNR). Candidates must be a person not in Minnesota's racial majority and demonstrate a commitment to becoming a successful real estate licensee and Realtor®. The sponsoring broker provides a mentor and in-house training for the program recipient to optimize the success of the new licensee. Ideally, the candidate is a new licensee who has not had a license for more than six months and who is aspiring to become a full-time salesperson. The program is intended to provide startup assistance to candidates who have not previously held a real estate license.

What are the benefits of the Pathway to Achievement Program?

The MNR Pathway to Achievement Program in Minnesota offers startup assistance to individuals from racial minorities who are new to the real estate business. The program includes financial support covering:      

Program Benefits:

  • One year of Realtor® association dues (local, state, and national)
  • Six months of MLS and Supra eKey fees
  • Six GRI courses, which count toward C.E. (continuing education) credits
  • Free MNR UNITE! convention ticket 

These benefits are applicable for the following calendar year.

Why is the Pathway to Achievement Program important to brokers?

The Pathway to Achievement Program enables brokers to welcome new salespersons not in Minnesota's racial majority who they believe will become successful salespersons and enhance the diversity of the broker’s office. The brokers are asked to “invest” in the new salesperson by providing mentorship and education for the new salesperson.

The brokers provide education, supervision and mentors for the candidates; the local association provides a dues and fees waiver; and MNR provides a dues waiver, access to additional educational programming and networking opportunities.

What are the Pathway to Achievement Broker Commitment and Mentor Guidelines?

The participating broker must complete a sponsoring broker application by the application deadline and assign a mentor to the Pathway to Achievement receipient. 

  • Brokerage approval and sponsorship are crucial for the program's success
  • The mentorship lasts for 12 months
  • Mentorship is based on mutual consent
  • Preferably, mentors have a minimum of 5 years' experience as a Realtor®
  • Recipient and mentor must be in the same brokerage firm/office
  • Mentor needs to possess enthusiasm, knowledge, and a willingness to dedicate time for new Realtor's® professional growth
  • The mentor's role involves observing the new Realtor's® interactions, providing constructive feedback, and offering
  • guidance on communication and interactive skills
  • Mentor keeps the new Realtor® updated on industry developments and trends
  • Mentor shares professional expertise, experiences, and insights with new Realtor®
  • Availability for real estate-related questions is expected
  • The mentor engages with new Realtors® twice per month and holds quarterly meetings

The Pathway to Achievement Application and Guidelines

  • The application and award process takes place once per year
  • Candidates must complete the Pathway to Achievement application by deadline
  • Must be 18 years of age, completed real estate pre-licensing requirements
  • Newly licensed Realtor® within the past 6 months
  • Be considered to have what it takes to be a successful real estate salesperson
  • Must be an individual from a multi-cultural and minority background
  • Must have prepared a one-year or five-year business plan
  • Sponsoring broker must complete an application and provide a mentor

What is MNR looking for during candidate interview process?

The committees look for a candidate who has not had a license for more than six months and who is aspiring to become a full-time salesperson. The candidate will have considered what it will take to be a successful real estate salesperson and will have worked on a one-year, and five-year business plan. The ideal candidate also considers what can be done to further enhance his or her education and how he or she can best learn and contribute to the real estate profession. Candidate must be willing to invest in their real estate business and complete the requirements within one year. The committees also look for a sponsoring broker who will guide the new salesperson and ensure that the new salesperson has training and support.