Class is officially in session for the 2026 National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Leadership Academy, and EXIT Realty is proud to have long-time EXIT Real Estate Partners Franchisee, Brian Kwilosz among the successful applicants in attendance.
Already two meetings in, Brian is one of only 25 participants gaining national-level involvement through this year of learning, which builds upon a candidate’s previous experience at the local and/or state levels. For Brian, that was with organizations like the Illinois Women’s Council of REALTORS®, and Mainstreet REALTORS®, where he still maintains membership, leads committees, and held past rolls such as director, treasurer and president.
This was his second attempt at joining the Academy, which comes with a rigorous, multi-step approach during the application process. And at the age of 52, with nearly 18 years of real estate experience under his belt, he’s proving that forever learning is a vital evolutionary need for success.
“It’s an honor to be on the journey alongside such thoughtful, committed leaders from across the country who are all united by a shared desire to strengthen our industry and better serve REALTORS® everywhere,” he said in a recent post thanking NAR® President, Kevin Brown and CEO, Nykia Wright for meeting with the whole class. “The candid conversations around the strategic plan and their vision for the future were direct, encouraging, and meaningful. My biggest takeaway? This is a new NAR®.”
Some things remain the same, however. As with Academy classes of the past, 2026 participants attend asynchronous sessions, which started this month in Washington, D.C. Content is personalized to every class based on the aptitudes and interests of each, with some of the top leaders in the business imparting industry and association knowledge.
The program, which promotes a sort of NAR® succession, educates participants on not just the inner workings of the organization, but the history behind it as well. Classmates work in teams to complete and present what’s called a Capstone Project, and the Academy is more than living up to its reputation according to Brian.
“The experience so far has been nothing short of incredible,” he shared of his involvement, which will culminate at the NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience event in New Orleans, LA later this November. “I’m really looking forward to learning from, and growing with, the amazing leaders in this class.”
His office hails out of Downers Grove, IL, where he first began his real estate career as a sales representative in 2008, before joining the ownership team in 2010. With a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Brian is poised for the technological shifts already making waves throughout the industry and looks forward to helping fulfill the Leadership Academy’s goal of empowering and cultivating future leaders in the business.
“To me, this is an opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge,” he explained, “and bring that knowledge back to our office to help elevate both our agent’s skillset, and the experience of our consumers and clients.”
For more information on the program or how to apply for the 2027 class CLICK HERE.
