Ayisha Sereni
Sereni Realty
24 Years Active in Real Estate
What was your career prior to real estate, if applicable?
Real Estate was my first career right out of college. After graduating from Drexel University, I earned my real estate salesperson license in 1995 and immediately began to pursue my real estate broker license which I earned in 2001. As I look back at my 24-year career in real estate, it seems as if I have been preparing to serve on the Suburban West REALTORS® Association Board of Directors for these last 24 years!
What type of leadership roles have you held outside of real estate?
Outside of real estate, I have served as an executive-level college administrator during which I was responsible for budget development/administration, policy creation/implementation, and revenue generation. In addition, I was responsible for overseeing the real estate program and teaching real estate pre-licensing classes.
Inside of real estate, I have held a variety of leadership roles which include owning and operating my brokerage Sereni Realty, establishing The Main Line School of Real Estate, and developing the first fully online 240-Hour PA Broker Pre-Licensing program.
As a voice for your colleagues, what strengths/insights will you bring to the Board discussions?
Earning a PhD in Organizational Leadership has provided me with a unique skill-set that has helped my real estate career in many ways. I have become well-versed in change management, conflict resolution, and strategic thinking. In addition, my research involved exploring the concept of emotional intelligence, and I have been able to use this helpful knowledge to navigate sensitive situations that arise during a real estate transaction.
In addition, I am able to apply this skill-set to individual stakeholders as well as entire organizations. A point of personal pride is my ability to lead in calm and respectful manner that considers the views of all parties before making critical decisions that may have unintended consequences if not fully though out.
What issues do you feel the Association should be addressing?
If elected, I look forward to supporting the Association with the impressive work that is already underway in the areas of supporting homeowner property rights, property taxes, and other critical localized issues.
I am confident that my academic and professional background will position me to support the Association as it works to address the needs of its members.
Why are you interested in serving as a member of the Board of Directors?
Serving on the Suburban West Board of Directors is a way for me to demonstrate my ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards of professional conduct that follow principles of integrity and equity. I first discovered my passion in this area when I began teaching real estate pre-licensing classes in 2007 and realized the extent of my influence on my students who would become the next generation of real estate professionals. It was for this same reason that I volunteered to serve on the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® Professional Standards committee in 2019 and what drives me to serve on the Suburban West Board of Directors in 2020. I aspire to serve on the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission in the future so that I am able to make a positive influence on a broader level.