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MLS Property Information Network president
and CEO named to FLIC Advisory Board
The Female Leadership Interest Council (FLIC)
recently announced the appointment of Kathy
Condon to its Advisory Board. Kathy Condon
is a 30-year veteran in the Massachusetts
real estate industry and is the President
and Chief Executive Officer of MLS Property
Information Network, Inc., the largest MLS
(Multiple Listing Service) in New England,
and one of the top 10 in the nation.
FLIC is a non-profit organization founded on
the principles of female leadership,
mentoring and the belief that when you can
help someone else succeed, you personally
grow and prosper. The Council's mission is
to provide educational and mentoring support
for women to assist in expanding their
capabilities in the business world, which
will increase the likelihood that their
successes will benefit the community.
"We are pleased to welcome Kathy Condon to
the FLIC Advisory Board. Her executive
leadership and management experience will
help shape many of our innovative programs
designed to help women get to the next level
in their careers," said FLIC Founder and CEO
Deborah Penta. "Kathy is a tremendous role
model for many seeking to achieve greater
levels of success not only in the real
estate industry, but to all women who have a
desire to work their way up the ranks to
achieve a leadership position."
According to Condon, her career in the real
estate world began through the back door,
having gone to Fitchburg State College in
the late 70s to become a teacher. It was
while she was substitute teaching that her
mother suggested the local real estate
association.
"My mom was a REALTORŪ, and she found out
there was a job opening (at the MLS of the
local association)," Condon said. "I got a
job interview and was hired on the spot."
Condon started out in a clerical assistant
position with the Greater Boston Real Estate
Board (GBREB), which was completely
dominated by men, she added.
"At that time women were the clerical
workers. There was a big change in the 80s,
when you started to see more and more women
in leadership positions," she said.
Today Condon said the industry has shifted
and it is more of a 50-50 split, "if not
more."
"The current president of the National
Association of Realtors is a woman." she
said.
According to Condon, what motivated her and
propelled her forward was a natural
inclination to learn more.
"I was extremely inquisitive about new
things. I played it, tried it and learned
it," she said, adding that at the time,
computer programs were just being introduced
and she worked at mastering them.
"The past 15 years have really become
computerized in the real estate industry.
This industry has been notoriously slow to
accept change, but that is changing because
customers and clients are becoming much more
technically savvy," Condon continued. "We
needed to be savvy in order to deliver."
Throughout the course of her life, Condon
said she was always given the message women
could do anything they set their minds to.
"My family consisted of six girls and my
parents. My dad always told us women could
do whatever they wanted," Condon said.
However, it was Condon's mom who was her
true inspiration and mentor.
"My mom was under 50 when my dad died, and
there were still two of my sisters in
secondary school," she said. "My mom turned
around and became the sole supporter of the
family, while also having her mother-in-law
live with her."
Another important mentor in Condon's life is
Carolyn Chodat of Classic Properties.
"She's (Carolyn) been an incredible
supporter to me and has pulled me through
some tough times over the years," she said,
adding, "I think a successful person is only
as successful as the people that you
surround yourself with. I have a wonderful
staff, which makes such a difference too."
Having mentors in her life who have made
such an impact was part of the impedance for
accepting Penta's offer to be on the FLIC
Board of Directors.
"Deborah and I have known each other for
seven or eight years, and she has always
amazed me with all the things that she is
involved in," Condon said. "Besides wanting
to help Deborah, I saw FLIC as an
opportunity to give back. I've been blessed.
I'm excited to get in at this level and
serve."
Condon, who has three adult nieces and one
great-niece, said she sees a bright future
for them as women.
"I think it can only keep getting better.
Women are making strides and constantly
improving," she said.
For more information on FLIC, log onto
http://www.femaleleaders.org
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Contact:
Melissa Lindberg, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
508-845-1011 ext. 7121.
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