I accepted the #IamWomanUP challenge to shine a light on a woman for whom I have great respect and admiration.
Today I'm honoring Katie Lance, my good friend and mentor.
I've known Katie for over 15 years, but I met her for the first time in 2009 when she agreed to come to Boston and speak at a RE/MAX event.
I was immediately drawn to her because of her relatability, humility, and smarts, and I knew then that I wanted to spend more time with and learn from her.
Since I've known Katie, she's become well-known in the real estate industry as the go-to expert for social media. She has over 40,000 followers on Instagram and over 1,000 members inside her #GetSocialSmart Academy. I've watched her take steps, big and small, to grow and stay relevant in her community.
Every step of the way, she has inspired me with her courage, confidence, and curiosity. Most of all, she has remained true to herself and her core values; faith, love, and family.
Along the way, she has been a sounding board, a trusted friend, a fellow mom, and a gen-Xer. We've laughed, wined, dined, shared ideas, and lamented about parenting boys.
Today, I honor Katie and express how deeply grateful I am to have her in my life.