The National Association of REALTORS® is charting a new course for engagement and impact. As vice president of association engagement, Nykea Pippion McGriff is working to strengthen ties with brokerages and local associations nationwide — while empowering them to play a more active role in shaping national real estate policy.
“One of the key new strategies being introduced to improve member engagement is a more intentional and focused outreach to brokerage owners and local associations — something NAR has not traditionally done at this level,” Pippion McGriff said. “Under the leadership of CEO Nykia Wright, we’re prioritizing deeper relationships with key stakeholders and taking a ‘back to basics’ approach to better understand their needs and challenges.”
Pippion McGriff added, “In addition, all broker-facing tools are being reevaluated with the goal of making it easier to run a real estate business. From templates to tool kits, NAR is actively reimagining the resources we offer to provide practical, streamlined support for brokers. These efforts represent a more targeted and responsive approach to member engagement, with more innovations to come.”
As with any organization, it’s important for members to feel a part of something bigger. It’s also equally important to be heard among the crowd. Pippion McGriff says she ensures that members feel that sense of belonging within NAR by making sure both small- and medium-sized brokerages feel heard, feel the value of NAR and feel that they have a seat at the table. Being in constant conversation with these leaders and agents and traveling the country to meet with them only enhances the organization’s impact.
“After years working in the real estate industry, I have firsthand experience navigating the challenges confronting many brokerages and their agents,” she said. “This experience helps me connect with brokerages and empowers my success at NAR.”
Measuring success for Pippion McGriff means being honest with herself and keeping track of the progress she has made to achieve her goals.
“NAR is fostering a collaborative workplace, so I am constantly working with other members of the staff and our members to improve outcomes,” she said. “It takes a team.”
Pippion McGriff’s goals, which are the focus of her new role, include ensuring that both small- and medium-sized brokerages understand that NAR is an ally, while helping them understand the organization’s policies and show the value NAR brings to members.
“It’s been a busy first half of the year,” she said. “However, the NAR team from CEO Nykia Wright to SVP of Industry Relations Jarrod Grasso and the rest of the staff have empowered me with the resources and support needed to ensure that NAR is responsive to the needs of small and medium brokerages.”
A Chicago real‑estate icon, Pippion McGriff said her background has prepared her to embark on this new professional journey.
“You have to be entrepreneurial and good at building relationships to be successful in real estate,” she said.
Just as she praised the impact of relationship-building, Pippion McGriff said Realtor associations act as the essential link between national policy and real-world results. Going forward, they will be more vital than ever — turning local insights into national advocacy, uniting voices into a louder collective and guaranteeing that policymakers hear directly from the communities they serve.
“Whether it’s engaging members through calls for action, strengthening relationships with lawmakers at every level, or spotlighting how federal policy affects local housing markets, associations are key to driving momentum behind pro-housing, pro-growth solutions. The REALTOR® Party’s strength lies in our unity — and associations are the engine that keeps that movement going.”