Milesbrand Team Members Reflect on the Transformative 2024 Women’s Leadership Circle

At Milesbrand, fostering professional and personal growth and empowering team members to lead with confidence are at the core of our values. This year, we proudly supported four of our exceptional women leaders as they completed the 2024 Women’s Leadership Circle, a year-long mastermind program designed to elevate, evolve and empower women in the real estate and construction industries.

“I want to thank Dave Miles for providing this opportunity to our women leaders and investing in our personal and professional growth,” said Kelly Fink, Milesbrand General manager. “I know each of us appreciate this amazing opportunity and are grateful for Dave offering us this experience. And a special thanks to the rest of the Milesbrand team for their support and assistance while we attended our in-person sessions so we could truly enjoy the experience.”

The Women’s Leadership Circle, hosted by Amy O’Conner Vice President of Training Operations at Shore Consulting, as well as Ashlee Nelson, Director of Events and Guest Experience with Shore Consulting, and Mollie Elkman, Owner and President of Group Two Advertising, brought together 32 women leaders from across the country, including Milesbrand’s own Corie Flemister, Deb Wesler, Genevieve Benson and Kelly Kenton Fink.

Throughout the year, participants engaged in powerful in-person sessions in inspiring locations – Longboat Key, Florida; Scottsdale, Arizona; Leesburg, Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina. These dynamic sessions fostered collaboration, strategic thinking and meaningful connections among participants. Between these gatherings, monthly strategy sessions, webinars and other events ensured a steady flow of impactful content and learning opportunities.

“It has been such an honor to have participated in the 2024 Women’s Leadership Circle alongside our Milesbrand women leaders, as well as being surrounded by so many strong women leaders from across the country,” continued Kelly. “From the first in-person meeting until the very last one, there was continual growth and bonding between everyone involved. One exercise I truly enjoyed was the Wheel of Life, which facilitated important reflection into key aspects of our personal and professional lives.”

Expanding Leadership Horizons

For Corie Flemister, Milesbrand’s Director of Client Services, the program provided tools to build confidence and navigate challenges. "Participating in the Women’s Leadership Circle was an empowering experience,” she shared. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of my leadership style, learn powerful tools to navigate challenges, and build a strong network of supportive peers. I’m excited to apply these insights to drive positive change in our industry."

The in-person sessions were complemented by strategy calls, webinars and Power-Up Sessions featuring experts from within and outside the homebuilding industry. Monthly discussions covered topics such as women empowering other women, encouraging participants to embrace leadership in all facets of their lives. For Deb Wesler, Visual Strategist, this was a chance to step outside her comfort zone and grow in unexpected ways.

"For me, leadership began with the courage to step beyond what felt comfortable and build confidence from within,” Deb explained. “The Women’s Leadership Circle has been truly transformative, helping me develop a stronger, more authentic voice as a leader. It’s given me the confidence to communicate more effectively, strengthened my public speaking skills, and helped me define a clear vision for my career that aligns with my values.”

Building a Support Network

While professional growth was a central focus, the program also created an invaluable support network. For Genevieve Benson, Director of Business Development, this camaraderie came at a crucial time in her life. "This year, the Women's Leadership Circle has been a truly transformative experience for me. Through this exclusive program, I developed the skills to lead with influence, navigate challenges with confidence and make a meaningful impact in my organization and the broader homebuilding industry,” she said.

Genevieve added, “Just as impactful, I was surrounded by an incredible network of strong, ambitious women whose unwavering support and shared wisdom made this journey remarkable. Beyond the professional growth, this group provided a vital support system during a particularly challenging time in my life, the loss of my father, offering strength and solidarity when I needed it most. Their rallying support has left an indelible mark on both my personal and professional journey, for which I am deeply grateful."

Collaborating and Growing Together

Milesbrand’s participants further enriched their experience by holding quarterly internal discussions after each in-person session. These conversations deepened their understanding of the program’s content and strengthened their connections as a team. The group explored key takeaways and brainstormed ways to apply their insights to their roles at Milesbrand and within the broader real estate industry.

“I facilitated a quarterly Milesbrand Women’s Leadership Circle after our in-person group sessions to allow our internal leaders to reflect on key insights and takeaways,” said Kelly. “I found these internal meetings extremely insightful and a way for us to continually grow as a strong team at Milesbrand.”

This collective approach reflects the spirit of the Women’s Leadership Circle, which emphasized leading from every position within an organization – leading self, leading up, leading others and leading forward. By focusing on 360-degree leadership, participants gained practical tools and a renewed sense of purpose that will continue to influence their work for years to come.

Looking Ahead

The Women’s Leadership Circle proved to be a transformative journey for our team, providing professional growth, personal empowerment and lifelong friendships. As Deb reflected, “This journey has empowered me in ways I hadn’t expected, and it’s an incredible opportunity for any woman ready to grow and make a lasting impact."

We are deeply grateful to Amy, Ashlee and Mollie for facilitating this powerful program and to our participants for their dedication and openness. Congratulations Corie, Deb, Genevieve and Kelly, on completing this extraordinary journey. We look forward to seeing how your growth and leadership continue to shape the future of Milesbrand and our industry.