For Mary Jane Owen, leadership is less about a title and more about a calling shaped by integrity, service, and the people who lifted her along the way.

That sense of community inspired the theme for her presidency: “Together, Making a Difference,” a mission centered on uniting the expertise, voices, and commitment that create lasting progress for Alabama’s homeowners and real estate professionals.

"Real estate is more than transactions," she said. "It’s about people, communities, and helping families plant roots. It’s about advocating for property rights and ensuring every REALTOR® in Alabama has the support needed to succeed."

Owen’s path to the presidency spans years of involvement at both the local and state levels, yet she notes that true leadership forms long before titles. It grows in the everyday work, in conversations that build trust, in collective decisions that move the industry forward, and in the willingness to do what is right, even when it is not the easiest route.

"What has humbled me most is the support of colleagues across Alabama who encouraged me, challenged me and trusted me with responsibilities before I fully recognized my own potential," she said. "This moment is as much a reflection of their belief in me as it is of my own efforts, and I carry that with deep gratitude."

As president, Owen’s goals reflect both the challenges and opportunities ahead. She plans to strengthen advocacy and REALTOR® influence, deepen relationships with policymakers, and elevate professionalism statewide. Her focus also includes reinforcing public trust, expanding access to homeownership through policy-driven solutions, and continuing to foster unity across the AAR membership.

Owen believes every REALTOR® — from large-market brokers to rural agents — helps shape the industry’s future, and she likens the REALTOR® community to a puzzle with each piece unique, yet essential to create a full, vibrant picture of real estate across Alabama.

"We’re stronger and more resilient when we lean on each other," she said. "That’s what ‘Together, Making a Difference’ is all about."

Owen hopes her term is remembered as a year when the Association truly worked as one.

“If every member feels seen, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves, then I’ll know I did everything possible to represent them well," she said.