With Associate Broker, Jeni VanOrnum – EXIT Realty DTC, Cherry Creek, Pikes Peak, CO
As a forever learner and real estate educator, Associate Broker, Jeni VanOrnum is a firm believer that the best leaders are also lifelong students. It’s why she jumps at any chance to take any training EXIT Realty offers, be it through her brokerage or the corporate office, and the impetus behind becoming the first ever EXIT Master Real Estate Advisor (EMREA) Designee.
Launched in March 2025, achieving the EMREA designation was very much about the long, dedication game, but Jeni completed the course in a record five month’s time. Already in the habit of showing up consistently when she began her EMREA journey, she soon found herself immersed in mentorship with depth, learning sustainable and scalable strategies for success.
“I’ve seen firsthand how even one class can shift your mindset, boost your momentum, or spark a new idea that changes your business,” she shared, “so I treated each module like a can’t-miss opportunity — not an obligation. The more I learned, the more energized I became. That forward motion built on itself until I realized I was racing toward the finish line because I wanted to, not because I had to. I didn’t just make time — I prioritized what mattered.”
A self confessed “doer,” Jeni says the slowing down to reflect asked of those taking EMREA training was one of her biggest challenges. Always moving, building, and serving, the training made her take a good long, hard look at how she was approaching her career.
“This training made me pause and really look at the foundation of my business: What am I saying? How am I saying it? Am I being intentional in the way I show up? That kind of reflection isn’t always easy when you’re used to powering through. But it was exactly what I needed — not to hit the brakes, but to realign and make sure I’m building something that’s truly mine, with purpose behind every step,” she said.
And while she was excited for the chance to experience some instructors like, Erica Nasby, for the first time, she also admits that she was guilty of thinking some of the classes would be unnecessary with her 27 years of experience. Those sessions ended up challenging and stretching her in new ways saying, “It gave me a fresh perspective I didn’t even know I needed.”
“Jeni showcases the willingness to grow her business and personal life through education,” explained Erica, EXIT MINDSET Trainer and personal coach. “Those who commit to training, being coachable and trainable stand out as leaders. Their clients and families benefit immensely – and they’re always leading the pack. I’m always moved by the same people who keep showing up and am blown away by the levels of success they achieve. There are no coincidences between study application and success.”
Truly designed for real estate professionals of all skill levels, EMREA delivers powerful and practical tools which agents can apply immediately. Jeni personally gained clarity on showing up more intentionally in every client interaction, asking better questions and listening more intently, but ultimately leading her clients through their decisions with more confidence and compassion.
Her breakthrough moment was realizing that mentorship, leadership, and impact aren’t just “extras” that she adds to her career, they are her career, saying, “EMREA gave me the structure and vocabulary to own that truth. It wasn’t just validating. It was activating.”
As someone who is equally passionate about selling real estate and mentoring others through it, Jeni was attracted to the EMREA designation training because she saw it as tailor-made for other agents just like herself; agents who wanted to be more than just top producers but leave a professional legacy.
“I hoped to gain new tools, fresh perspective, and a way to pour into the next generation of agents with intention and impact. It exceeded my expectations in every way,” she explained. “This designation isn’t just about growing your business. It’s about growing yourself so you can lead others with more purpose, more clarity, and more heart. It reminded me that my business is not just about transactions — it’s a reflection of who I am and how I serve. Personally, it grounded me in the belief that I can build a business that’s both wildly successful and deeply meaningful.”
The biggest change she has noticed is in the quality of her conversations, and in the elevated results she delivers. She’s no longer running her business on autopilot saying, “EMREA reconnected me to my purpose and gave the practical tools to serve with more impact, more ease, and more joy. In this business, we all need new tools and renewed motivation on a regular basis. EMREA delivers all of that and more.”
Now on the other side of the finish line, Jeni is ready to be doing less guessing and more connecting in her client consultations and looks forward to putting into practice the art of saying the right things at the right time to build trust faster during buyer and listing presentations. She has a fire lit within her, and feels more focused on what she really wants, ready to manifest it into her life with intention, and to be an ambassador not just for EXIT’s model, but for the heart and soul of its mission.
Fellow EXIT MINDSET Trainer, Angel Tucker is equally thrilled to have EXIT’s very first recipient of the EMREA designation and to see Jeni experience all the amazing benefits of investing in herself and achieving this elite opportunity.
“I look forward to seeing many more of our agents following in Jeni’s footsteps and setting the example of what true excellence looks like!”
Jeni knows it can feel and look messy, but progress is always more important than the illusion of perfection, and she reminds anyone in the midst of any sort of training to lean on their support system and to not give up saying, “Break it into bite-sized chunks, and revisit your why. You’re not just earning letters after your name. You’re becoming the kind of leader this industry needs. That’s worth finishing.”
