Realtors® UNITE

September 18 & 19, 2025  |  Brooklyn Park, MN

2025 SESSION SPEAKERS & INSTRUCTORS

*This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 1 hour of Real Estate Continuing Education
**This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 1.25 hours of Real Estate Continuing Education
***This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 1.5 hours of Real Estate Continuing Education

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Victor Lund

Kristi Yamaguchi

Always Dream: Leadership, Philanthropy, and Engagement*

KEYNOTE: Always Dream: Leadership, Philanthropy, and Engagement (Thursday, September 18, 10 AM)

In this session, Olympic gold medalist and bestselling author Kristi Yamaguchi shares her journey from champion athlete to champion for children’s literacy. Through her Always Dream Foundation, she works to improve access to books, technology, and family engagement strategies for children in under-resourced communities. Kristi’s story inspires realtors to become catalysts for change by using their influence and relationships to strengthen communities, support local families, and create meaningful connections that extend far beyond the closing table.

READ BIO

Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic, U.S. and World Hall of Fame figure skater. She has won two World Championship Gold medals along with an Olympic Gold medal. 

Kristi’s professional career has flourished both on and off the ice. When she joined the cast of Stars on Ice in 1992, her presence helped define the tour as the preeminent skating show in the world. She toured for 10 years, consistently delivering exquisite performances that brought audiences to their feet. During that time, she also won numerous professional competitions and frequently appeared on television specials. She served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City and was one of the few artists asked to perform at both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Kristi has also authored multiple books including: Figure Skating for Dummies, Always Dream, as well as New York Times Best-selling children’s books Dream Big, Little Pig!, and It's a Big World, Little Pig!. 

Throughout her professional career, Kristi has been a highly sought after corporate spokesperson and done work with Kellogg’s® and the American Lung Association. She is the creator of, Tsuya, a clothing line that delivers the style that fits every part of an active lifestyle. Kristi’s victory on the sixth season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars is another achievement in a career marked with golden success. 

One of Kristi’s lasting legacies will be her Always Dream Foundation (www.AlwaysDream.org) founded in 1996. It was established with one goal in mind: to find innovative ways to provide support for a diverse range of programs designed to inspire and embrace the hopes and dreams of children. Committed to the belief that early childhood literacy is the foundation on which all academic and life success is built, the Foundation has set its sights on improving access by children of low-income families to books and technology. 

Scott Zimmer

Scott Zimmer

Pop Quiz: The Generational Trivia Show***

Think your generation knows best? Prove it at PopQuiz: The Generational Trivia Show! It’s Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Gen Z going head-to-head in a hilarious showdown of pop culture, retro tech, awkward trends, and theme songs you didn’t know were still living rent-free in your brain. Expect laughs, friendly smack talk, and the kind of trivia that makes you blurt out, “Hey—I had that!” No studying required—just show up ready to play, reminisce, and have a ridiculously good time.

Along the way, you'll also pick up surprising insights about what shaped each generation—and how those experiences influence the way we work, lead, and communicate today.

It’s not just fun and games—it’s a crash course in understanding your coworkers, clients, and even your kids a little better.

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Scott Zimmer is a dynamic and influential generational speaker renowned for his insightful perspectives on bridging the generational gaps in today’s diverse and ever-evolving workforce. With a captivating presence and an in-depth understanding of the multiple generations, he has become a leading authority on generational dynamics, communication, and collaboration.

As a generational speaker, Scott has delivered captivating keynote speeches, workshops, and training sessions to a wide range of audiences, including corporate leaders, HR professionals, and employees across various industries. His expertise extends beyond merely identifying generational differences; he delves deeper into exploring the common values that unite individuals across age groups. Through his engaging presentations, he works to inspire individuals and organizations to build meaningful connections, ultimately fostering thriving environments where every generation can flourish and contribute their best.

Over the past decade, Scott has worked with a diverse mix of companies across the world, helping to hone industry and organization-specific tools and insights for clients including Adidas (Germany), Visit Iceland (Iceland), Nike, Six Flags, Progressive, and Mattel (given his love of Hot Wheels and He-Man growing up, the latter was especially exciting).  

Victor Lund

Travis Robertson

The Sales-Maker Playbook: How Elite Agents are Thriving in Today's Dynamic Market*

PLUS How to Build and Scale a High-Performance Real Estate Team*

The Follow-Up Fix: How to Build a Pipeline Strategy That Puts You in Control and Closes More Deals*

KEYNOTE: The Sales-Maker Playbook: How Elite Agents are Thriving in Today's Dynamic Market  (Thursday, September 18, 3:30 PM)

In his Keynote session, expert real estate coach, Travis Robertson, will show you the game plan for winning in a shifting market while others struggle to adapt. Right now, there is tremendous opportunity for agents who understand how to adjust their playbook for a new era. 

  • Discover how to make the shift from Order-Taker to Sales-Maker and why it’s critical if you’re going to win in today’s market.
  • Learn which strategies are working right now to generate listings and motivated buyers. 
  • Learn how to create more appointments with the opportunities you’re already getting and how to convert more of those into closings.
  • And so much more. 

This high-energy, fast-paced session will be jam-packed with timely content for this new season in real estate! 

How to Build and Scale a High-Performance Real Estate Team (Friday, September 19, 10:45 AM)

Are you ready to build a high-performance team that delivers results for both you and the clients you serve? Are you wondering what needs to happen to take your team to new levels of production? In this high energy session, Growth Strategist and Coach Travis Robertson will show you how to take an existing team and transform it into a high-performance group. You’ll learn about common growth obstacles and how to overcome them, lead generation and conversion for scale, systems for accountability, compensation plans, growth strategies and so much more.

The Follow-Up Fix: How to Build a Pipeline Strategy That Puts You in Control and Closes More Deals (Friday, September 19, 1:45 PM)

If logging into your CRM feels like staring at a mess of “maybe someday” leads, you’re not alone. Most agents were never taught how to structure their follow-up in a way that actually leads to conversions. In this session, sales coach and Engyne CRM co-founder Travis Robertson will show you the exact system top agents use to organize their database into simple, actionable buckets that drive daily focus, more conversations, and more closings.

 

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Travis Robertson has made it his mission to help real estate agents build high 6 and 7 figure businesses that fund their lives and dreams. He is the CEO, founder, and Master Coach at Don’t Settle Coaching - a premier coaching and training company in real estate. He’s also the co-founder and CEO of Engyne Systems - the leader in done-for-you CRM software for real estate agents and team leaders. 

With one of the highest success rates in the industry, Travis’ clients build businesses that are blessings to their families, dominate their markets, and place them on award stages and top agent lists all over the world. 

Travis is the creator of The High-Performance Agent Academy, The High-Performance Team Academy, and The Real Estate Playbook. 

He’s been featured on every major stage within the industry and is known for his transformational training, his high-energy, his authenticity, and his elite coaching. 

Most importantly, he’s the husband to his beautiful wife, Lisa, and father to his two amazing girls, Londyn and Ayla. 

BREAK-OUT SESSIONS AND SPEAKERS

Understanding Homeowners Insurance in Minnesota: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions 

Panel Discussion Featuring: Julia Dreier, Julie Shiyou-Woodard, Jake Olinger, and Moderated by MNR's Paul Eger

READ ABOUT SESSION

This course is a structured as a panel discussion featuring representatives from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Big I (Independent Insurance Agents), and Smart Home America. The course will focus on homeowners’ insurance, with emphasis on market status, cost drivers, consumer knowledge and premium-reduction strategies. 

Julia Dreier

Julia Dreier

Deputy Commissioner of Insurance
MN Department of Commerce

Julia Dreier was appointed in 2021 as Deputy Commissioner for Commerce's Insurance Division, which serves Minnesotans through insurance policy and insurance regulation, including licensing, examination, policy and rate reviews for health, homeowners, auto, workers' compensation, long-term care and life insurance, and for pharmacy benefits management. Prior to joining Commerce, she was with IMPAQ International, a global policy research and analytics firm and provided strategic policy and operational advice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. She served on the leadership team in the CMS Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight and led efforts to implement the Affordable Care Act commercial insurance market reforms. In Minnesota, Dreier worked in public policy for the Minnesota Council of Health plans and for the Service Employees International Union.

Julie Shiyou-Woodard

Julie Shiyou-Woodard 

President & CEO
Smart Home America

Julie Shiyou-Woodard is the President and CEO of Smart Home America, a non-profit organization working at the intersections of disaster resilience, policy, affordable housing, and insurance. Under her leadership, Smart Home America has fostered a culture of resilience by supporting local efforts to implement proven solutions to reduce disaster-related losses and insurance costs. Julie's work has led to local and state policy changes that enhance building methods, codes, and incentives for construction. 

With over 20 years of experience in local and state government, Julie has developed and managed environmental and hazard mitigation projects in collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies. Her expertise allows her to collaborate effectively with leaders at various levels of government, implementing policies that support disaster resilience. Julie's extensive experience includes roles as Principal Planner at the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission, Wildland Urban Interface Coordinator for the State of Alabama Forestry Commission, and Community Program Director at the Mobile County District Attorney's Office. She resides in Mobile, Alabama, with her family. 

Jake Olinger

Jake Olinger

President of Property & Casualty
Christensen Group Insurance

Jake Olinger has been a licensed insurance agent for more than 20 years, serving in a variety of roles across the industry. His experience spans Medicare benefits, individual and commercial benefits, personal lines, and commercial insurance. Today, he serves as President of Property & Casualty at Christensen Group Insurance — a 100% employee-owned agency ranked among the top 100 in the nation by revenue. Throughout his career, Jake has contributed his expertise on numerous insurance carrier advisory boards, served on the Riverwood Bank Board, and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Big I. 

Outside of his professional work, Jake is deeply rooted in his community. He married his high school sweetheart, Samantha, and together they have three children. He enjoys time at the family cabin with loved ones and coaching his son in baseball, football, and hockey. A dedicated public servant, Jake has been a firefighter in Monticello for over 13 years, holding positions including Lieutenant, Captain, and Assistant Chief — and currently serves as the department’s Fire Chief. 

Paul Eger

Paul Eger

MNR Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs
Panel Moderator

Leading the activities of Minnesota Realtors®’ Government Affairs team, Paul advocates at the state capitol for legislation that supports Realtors® and protects the rights of homeowners.

Joining Minnesota Realtors® after nearly 14 years in the Executive and Legislative branches of state government, Paul served as Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) from 2009 – 2010 during the tenure of Governor Tim Pawlenty. Before that, he held a variety of positions at MPCA, including Legislative Liaison, Clean Water Policy Manager, Assistant Commissioner for Water Policy, and Deputy Commissioner.

Mark Foster

Lynn Boergerhoff & Mark Foster

Introduction to Homeowner Associations (HOAs) for Realtors*

Understanding life within a Homeowners Association (HOA) involves exploring several key areas. These include the structure and authority of the HOA itself, the laws that govern it, and the vital role of HOA governing documents. It's important to know the responsibilities of the HOA Board and management, as well as the rights and obligations of homeowners within the community. Familiarity with HOA rules, regulations, meetings, elections, and proper recordkeeping is essential. Additionally, knowledge of the HOA’s budget, assessments, collections, contracts, and financial records is crucial for transparency. Maintenance responsibilities, reserve funds, and insurance requirements also play a significant role. Ultimately, learning about these aspects can help you determine if HOA living is the right choice for you. 

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Lynn Boergerhoff

Lynn Boergerhoff is an experienced HOA board leader, educator, researcher, and president of the HOA Leadership Network. In 2018, he founded the HOA Leadership Network to connect and support HOA board leaders through education, collaboration, and research. The HOA Leadership Network offers free monthly educational meetings for HOA board leaders and homeowners at four metro chapter locations. The network recently led others to advocate for HOAs before the Minnesota Legislature. Lynn values and promotes education as the best way realtors can help homebuyers make informed decisions about HOA living.  

He developed the Introduction to HOAs for Realtors seminar to help you and your homebuyers better understand the HOA board’s governance authority and duties, HOA financial operations, and HOA homeowners’ rights and obligations. He is a Certified Community Association Manager and hold a Masters of Public Health degree from the University of Minnesota. 

Mark Foster

Mark Luis Foster is in partnership with Lynn Boergerhoff in running and managing the growing HOA Leadership Network. Mark has a strong background in marketing, advertising and communications, and has operated his own business consultancy practice called Foster Avenue LLC since 2013. He has run marketing departments at major Fortune 500 companies, including Wells Fargo, TCF Financial (now Huntington Bank), and Transamerica. In 2020 he purchased and subsequently sold an advertising agency in downtown Minneapolis. Mark has served on several HOA boards over the years and is currently Vice President of an HOA board in Lakeville, MN. He is passionate about improving the lives and property values of his HOA constituents. 

 

Terry Curzydio

Trista Curzydio

Real Estate Karma: Unethical, Illegal or Just Plain Rude?*

Data Security in a Virtual Environment*

Intellectual Property ... It’s Not Just for Nerds Anymore*

Real Estate Karma: Unethical, Illegal or Just Plain Rude? (Thursday, September 18, 11:15 AM)*

“But is it illegal?” after practicing law in the real estate arena for nearly 20 years, this is a question that Trista Curzydlo has heard a lot.  This course takes a look at situations that real estate agents face and delineates between what’s illegal, what’s unethical and what is just plain rude!

Data Security in a Virtual Environment (Thursday, September 18, 2 PM)* 

Agile, flexible, adaptable: These words are often used to describe real estate agents across the nation.  The last few years have brought many changes to the way agents use technology in their practice. These changes have included the adoption of new technologies and tools that enable agents to work remotely and the introduction of artificial intelligence into daily use.  Unfortunately, not all these tools and technologies are as safe as we need them to be and agents need to be more cognizant than ever of protecting the data their clients entrust them with.  This course reviews best practices for data security and reviews the safety features of some of the most popular apps and platforms being used today.

Intellectual Property ... It’s Not Just for Nerds Anymore (Friday, September 19, 10:45 AM)*

Regardless of your tech savvy, discover what violations are becoming increasingly common and develop risk reduction techniques to protect yourself and your interests.  This course also discusses how the US copyright Office treats works created by artificial intelligence and machine learning.

READ BIO

(Pronounced TRIS-tah ker-ZID-lo) 

Trista is a graduate of Washburn University and Washburn University, School of Law, where she was a member of the Washburn Law Journal. After serving as Assistant Legal Counsel to Kansas Governor Bill Graves, Trista joined the office of the District Attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial District of Kansas as an Assistant District Attorney assigned to the Consumer Fraud division. From 2004 to January of 2010, Trista was the Government Affairs Director and Legal Counsel for the Wichita Area Association of REALTORS® and the South Central Kansas MLS, in Wichita, Kansas. Trista now devotes her time to offering excellent educational opportunities for real estate licensees across the country.

Sara Heger

Sara Heger

Selling and Buying Properties with Septic Systems*

This session will present a comprehensive overview of septic system components and the biological and mechanical processes involved in wastewater treatment. It will address frequently asked questions from home buyers, sellers, and property owners regarding system functionality and maintenance. Topics will include regulatory requirements for disclosure and inspection during real estate transactions, as well as best practices for system operation and maintenance to optimize performance and extend system lifespan. 

Learning Objectives:

Students who take this course will:  

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of septic system components and how they function through biological and mechanical processes.
  • Learn how to answer common questions from buyers, sellers, and property owners about septic system performance and maintenance.
  • Explore key regulatory requirements for disclosure and inspection during real estate transactions involving septic systems.
  • Discover best practices for operating and maintaining septic systems to ensure long-term functionality.
  • Understand how proper maintenance can optimize performance and extend the life of a septic system. 

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Dr. Sara Heger is a researcher and instructor in the Onsite Sewage Treatment Program at the University of Minnesota, where she also serves as faculty in the Water Resources Science program. A former president of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, Dr. Heger has spent the past 25 years conducting research and delivering education and technical support to a wide range of audiences, including students, homeowners, small communities, onsite wastewater professionals, and local government agencies. 

She leads the University of Minnesota’s onsite wastewater research program and contributes monthly articles to Onsite Installer and Pumper magazines. Dr. Heger is an active member of the NSF International Committee on Wastewater Treatment Systems and currently chairs Minnesota’s Onsite Sewage Treatment System Advisory Committee. She holds a B.S. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, as well as an M.S. and Ph.D. in Water Resources Science. 

Kathleen Hovland

Kathleen Hovland

Introduction to MN Residential Rebates*

Learn about the four new residential rebate programs launching in 2025 from Commerce, including the federal Home Energy Rebates—the Home Efficiency Rebate (HOMES) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) programs—along with the State Residential Heat Pump Rebate and State Electrical Panel Upgrade Grant. Attendees will also receive educational materials and hear about tentative outreach opportunities to support homeowners in accessing these savings. 

Learning Objectives:

Students who take this course will:  

  • Overview of four residential rebate programs launching in 2025, including HOMES, HEAR, and state-level incentives
  • Guidance on available rebates for energy efficiency upgrades, heat pumps, and electrical panel improvements
  • Access to educational materials and upcoming outreach opportunities to help inform and engage homeowners 

READ BIO

Kathleen is the Consumer Education and Outreach Specialist with the State of Minnesota’s Commerce Department. She has been working on residential energy efficiency programs for over 10 years – she spent 8 years as a residential energy advisor with Center for Energy and Environment, and two years on the residential rebates team at the Commerce Department. 

Bill Nelson

Bill Nelson

Safety: The Realtors® Weapon Within*

This course explores the motivations behind criminal behavior, specifically as it relates to real estate professionals and their consumers and emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and personal empowerment for safety.  Attendees will gain insight into the mindset of offenders, learning how criminals select their victims based on opportunity, vulnerability, and perceived risk. A statistical breakdown will compare victimization rates between men and women, offering a clearer picture of who is most at risk and why. 

Learning Objectives:

Students who take this course will:  

  • Understand Criminal Behavior: Learn how offenders choose their victims and explore key statistics on victimization, including gender-based comparisons.
  • Identify Vulnerabilities: Discover what makes someone a target and how real estate professionals face unique safety challenges on the job.
  • Break Down Realtor Risks: Analyze common scenarios like open houses, private showings, and unfamiliar clients to recognize high-risk situations.
  • Harness Your Inner Awareness: Strengthen personal safety by trusting intuition and developing practical strategies to stay alert and empowered. 

READ BIO

Bill Nelson is a 9th black belt in the art of Soo Bahk Do a Korean martial art. He has 52 years of experience. He is a past volunteer advocate at woman house which is a shelter for better women in central Minnesota. He also served as a volunteer advocate and chairman of the board for the central Minnesota sexual assault center for 30 years. He has a BA degree in psychology and criminal justice from St. Cloud State University is a former police officer and has been a private investigator and bounty hunter, for the past 40 years. He is the author of “Your Weapon Within” how to lower the risk of sexual assault and has conducted lectures, seminars and demonstrations for men, women, children, law-enforcement, hospitals and universities on the subject of personal safety all across the US. 

 

Sheyla Tinglin

Shelyna Tinglin

Systems & Strategies for a Successful and Sustainable Business*

Generating Leads that Actually Close*

Systems & Strategies for a Successful and Sustainable Business (Friday, September 19, 10:45 AM)*

Success in real estate doesn’t come from hustle alone—it comes from systems. In this fast-paced and tactical session, agents will learn how to shift from reactive chaos to proactive, scalable business models. This course is a condensed but powerful version of my signature systems training, designed to give agents the practical tools they need to streamline operations, improve client experiences, and grow without burnout.  

Participants will explore the intersection of strategy and automation, including how to use AI tools, workflows, checklists, and templated procedures for both buyer and seller transactions. 

Learning Objectives:

Students who take this course will:  

  • Identify and plug time and money leaks using automation and procedural systems
  • Outline a repeatable process for working with both buyers and sellers to help minimize risk
  • Implement AI and tech tools that work with you and your clients, not against you 
  • Create an action plan to develop a sustainable business model that allows for growth without burnout 
  • Evaluate areas of their current business that lack systemization and create a strategy to improve them  

Generating Leads that Actually Close (Friday, September 19, 1:45 PM)*

It’s not just about generating leads—it’s about nurturing relationships that convert. In this engaging session, agents will learn how to build trust, pre-frame value, and establish authority before the first appointment, so when they meet with the lead, it’s already halfway to the close.

This class goes beyond cold calling and surface scripts to explore modern-day lead relationship building. I will teach agents how to create touchpoints that foster credibility and confidence using content, follow-up frameworks, personalization strategies, and authentic connection.

READ BIO

Shelyna Tinglin is a powerhouse speaker, award-winning real estate broker, and nationally recognized business strategist known for transforming professionals into purpose-driven, profit-generating leaders.

Named Texas REALTORS® 2024 Educator of the Year, Shelyna brings over 15 years of expertise in education and real estate. As the founder of The Tinglin Group, LLC, Real Estate Mastery Academy, and Tinglin Coaching & Consulting, she has empowered thousands of entrepreneurs with innovative systems, strategic growth plans, and high-impact training that unlock real results.

A proud Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alumna, Shelyna combines sharp business acumen with a servant leader’s heart, mentoring professionals to scale their businesses while staying rooted in their values. Her workshops and keynotes are known for being electric, practical, and transformational — equipping audiences to show up boldly, build with intention, and execute with excellence.

Shelyna serves on multiple real estate boards, including Collin County Area REALTORS® and The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and The National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Dallas Chapter. Whether on stage, in the classroom, or in the community, Shelyna remains committed to elevating others — one conversation, one strategy, and one life at a time.

John Young

John Young

Steal These Ideas! Creative, Inexpensive & Unique Ways to Grow Your Business*

The Do’s and Don’ts of Serving Clients with Special Needs*

Steal These Ideas! Creative, Inexpensive & Unique Ways to Grow Your Business (Thursday, September 18, 11:15 AM)*

The real estate industry is rapidly changing. It’s important for REALTORS to understand how to navigate through these changes to stay relevant, attract more clients and provide better service to their potential customer base as well as current and past clients. Creative client marketing initiatives that are inexpensive, free or require very little investment will be presented and discussed.  Attendees will also learn how to leverage listings and hold open houses for the maximum benefit of both the client and the agent’s time.   

The Do's and Don'ts of Serving Clients with Special Needs (Thursday, September 18, 2 PM)*

An estimated 1.3 billion people – or 16% of the global population – experience a significant disability today. Now more than ever is important that REALTORS learn a proper standard of practice and the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ of serving clients with disabilities and special needs. Attendees will hear inspiring stories on how everyday actions involving compassion, responsibility and service can transform lives. John hopes that his presentation will encourage a greater understanding that DEI is intended to address issues of accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and equity for ALL individuals.

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In 2004, John Young merged his previous work experience in advertising, marketing, sales and management into a career as a REALTOR®. In 2009, his personal and professional life took a transformative turn when he became the parent of a non-verbal child with autism. Over the next decade, John's professional journey was shaped through his own personal experiences and by the special needs of clients, families and caregivers he encountered and served along the way. In 2019, John began speaking on serving clients with special needs and hopes that his presentations inspire a greater understanding that DEI is intended to address issues of accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and equity for ALL individuals. John brings his passion for helping others to everything he does and strives to make a positive difference in our industry for both clients and fellow REALTORS®.