Ambitious. Driven. Motivated.

These are the words that come to mind when I think about my peers in the Young Professionals Network. We are industry professionals who are serious about our careers, committed to expanding homeownership access and intentional about pooling our knowledge and resources to help each other grow. That’s what makes YPN so powerful. It brings together like-minded people, and in 2026, we’re leaning into that mission in a big way.

Creating spaces for opportunity & connection

We bring people together in meaningful ways, starting with our events. Our education-focused breakfast series is hosted monthly at our longtime spot, Manny’s Deli. You can enjoy a complimentary breakfast while connecting with other Chicago REALTORS® in a relaxed setting.

Each month, we invite local experts to share their experience and practical strategies on timely topics. These topics are selected by Realtors for Realtors, so I would be remiss if I didn’t shout out the incredible advisory board who plans these topics and keeps us grounded in what’s top of mind. This year, we’ll cover money management, database development, mental health and more.

I invite you to join us at the next breakfast! Our aim is to help you form meaningful relationships with other people who might be experiencing things you are while enjoying delicious food.

We’re coming off the heels of a successful 2025, where we were honored to receive the Mega-Local YPN Network of the Year Award from the National Association of REALTORS®. This award recognizes networks that go above and beyond in recruiting, engaging and representing young professionals in the real estate industry. We’re using that momentum to elevate our impact even further in 2026.

How are you showing up?

We also know that success in real estate is built on relationships. That’s why we host relationship-building mixers designed to foster authentic connections.

When we design our mixers, we incorporate interactive elements like networking bingo to help “break the ice” and start conversations with would-be strangers. By incorporating these intentional networking opportunities, I’ve watched conversations that start with a simple introduction turn into the kind of connections that last long after the event ends.

And we’ve already seen how strongly these events resonate with our fellow Realtors. In early February, we hosted our first networking event, the 2026 Kick-Off Mixer, which brought together almost 150 real estate professionals to celebrate the start of a new year and connect. The next time you’re at an event, don’t hesitate to say hi and introduce yourself.

Save your seat at ChicagoREALTOR.com/events.

Continuing the service mindset

We’re also investing in the strength of our leadership. Our advisory board is evolving to better support our mission and expand our impact. This year, our focus is on the “new member” experience at our events through things like networking games or randomized seating at the breakfasts; we’re also paying attention to how we’re bringing connection and knowledge to your social media feeds, as well as how we can support local causes in our communities. With that added focus, we’re able to be more intentional about the experiences we create, so every event, conversation and initiative delivers meaningful value for our members.

Service is a particularly important area of growth for us throughout 2026. After a couple of meaningful volunteer experiences last year, our board was reminded that leadership in this industry extends beyond transactions. It’s about showing up for the communities we serve. In 2026, we plan to expand our volunteer efforts, creating more opportunities for members to give back together and strengthen our shared commitment to impact.

This spring, I invite you to get involved, whether it’s through the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, by volunteering on committees like YPN to serve the industry and grow your leadership, or through other amazing organizations. You have the power to uplift others. Association applications are open through the end of May.

YPN’s power has always come from its people — professionals willing to learn openly, share generously and support one another’s success. With a stronger structure, expanded service and continued focus on meaningful connection, we’re building a stronger real estate community for Chicago.

Elizabeth “Lizzie G” Elie is the chair of The Chicago Association of REALTORS® Young Professionals Network.