Congratulations to Michelle Billings, 2019 President of the REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, on her installation as the 2025 President of Ohio REALTORS®! She was installed at the Ohio REALTORS® Winter Conference, Feb. 3, in Columbus.
Michelle’s dedication and leadership in the real estate industry have been truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing the impact she will continue to make in this new role. In her installation speech, Michelle expressed her gratitude and vision for the future for the organization.
Read her full speech below to discover the passion behind her journey, the support that shaped her path, and the vision she brings to her new role:
I am committed to advancing our association, empowering our members, and strengthening the communities we serve.
To my Mom, you worked tirelessly to ensure I had a good education – you taught me what being of service and giving back to others truly means. Your example of selfless dedication to helping others has guided every step of my journey, and I carry those lessons with me into this role. The values you instilled in me—education, service, and lifting others as we climb—will be at the heart of my presidency.
To my children, your support and understanding made this journey possible. You’ve grown into amazing adults, and I hope my journey has shown you that with determination and purpose, anything is possible.
Carter, Lillian, Sagan & Violet… Mimi loves you. You are my why.
To my colleagues who supported me along the way—who mentored, challenged, and believed in me—thank you for seeing my potential and helping me grow into leadership. Your guidance has shaped not just my career but my understanding of what this profession truly means.
To my local association, The REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati—you’ve been my home base, my foundation, my springboard to growth. The opportunities you’ve given me to serve and lead have prepared me for this moment.
To my Coldwell Banker family, thank you for providing the foundation that allowed me to grow as both a REALTOR® and a leader.
Ali – thank you for your exceptional leadership this past year. Your dedication to our association and tireless work advancing our profession has set a high bar. The initiatives you championed and the foundation you’ve built will continue to serve our members and our communities for years to come.
Mic, Joanne & Scott – I am excited and honored to serve alongside you. Your commitment to our association, your diverse perspectives, and your proven leadership abilities will be invaluable as we work together to advance our mission.
To our dedicated committee members and volunteers – I see the countless hours you invest in strengthening our profession. Your commitment inspires me every day. Thank you for answering the call to service and giving so generously of your time and expertise.
To our Ohio REALTORS® staff – your dedication to our members and our mission is the backbone of our success. Thank you for your tireless work behind the scenes.
And to our members across Ohio – you are the heart of this association. Every day, you’re on the front lines, helping people achieve their dreams of property ownership. Whether you’re working with a young single parent buying their first home, helping a family find their forever home, assisting an entrepreneur in securing their first storefront, or guiding a business owner in expanding their operations – you’re changing lives and building stronger communities.
Maya Angelou once said, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” But I would add that true success is also about helping others find their path to that same feeling of achievement and belonging.
Twenty-three years ago, I was searching for that path myself. Today, I stand before you not just as your President but as someone who understands deeply that every door we help open, every key we hand over, every dream we help make real, ripples outward in ways we may never fully see.
The work we do isn’t just about properties and transactions – it’s about possibility. It’s about that moment when someone who never thought they could own a home gets their keys. It’s about the small business owner who finds the perfect location to grow their dream. It’s about the family who can finally put down roots in a community they love.
As your 2025 President, I promise to lead with the same determination that drove me as a parent, the same passion that fuels me as a REALTOR®, and the same deep belief that has guided my entire career: that everyone deserves the opportunity to build their own American Dream, one property at a time.
Together, we will work to ensure that the dream of homeownership and private property rights remains accessible to all Ohioans, regardless of their background or starting point. Thank you for your trust and confidence. Let’s make 2025 not just a year of transactions, but a year of transformations.
Thank you.