CGBN Webinar – Fostering Global Connections and International Collaborations

Shirley Johnson Boyd, MBA, CCIM
USA FIABCI President
Presenting: FIABCI: Home and Abroad

Shirley Johnson-Boyd is a Virginia-licensed global real estate consultant and president of FIABCI-USA, the U.S. chapter of the International Real Estate Federation. With over 30 years of combined experience in real estate, financial analysis, and federal banking oversight, she employs a strategic and data-driven approach to global property investment.

Shirley specializes in multifamily, industrial net-leased, hospitality, and international residential properties. She is primarily dedicated to assisting retirees and investors in purchasing income-producing assets, vacation homes, and retirement properties abroad, including exclusive off-market opportunities.

Her extensive global connections, spanning over 70 countries, enable her to develop cross-border property solutions and partnerships for clients seeking international diversification. As former Chair of the International Business Forum at the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR), she has led initiatives to raise global real estate awareness and foster collaboration.

Before transitioning into real estate full-time, Shirley held positions at a federal banking regulator agency, where she managed multimillion-dollar SaaS and IT contracts, performed trend and financial analysis of institutions with over $400 billion in assets, and played a vital role in customer relations during high-stakes bank closures.

Known as the international property connector, Shirley is also gearing up to launch a newsletter exploring global real estate trends, PropTech, FinTech, and international lifestyle design.

John Gormley, RCE, CAE, CIPS, AHWD
CEO, Mainstreet REALTORS®
Presenting: To Nigeria And Back: Global Lessons Applied Locally

John Gormley is the CEO of Mainstreet REALTORS®, headquartered in Downers Grove. With 19,000 members throughout Chicagoland, it is the largest local Realtor association in the state and ranks among the top 10 nationwide.

Gormley became Mainstreet CEO in late 2017. He has a total of 36 years of experience in association management, with 26 of those years spent at Realtor organizations. Before joining Mainstreet, Gormley served as CEO of St. Louis REALTORS® and, before that, as vice president, communications and marketing, for Texas REALTORS®.

In 2023, he was inducted into the Dr. Almon R. (Bud) Smith RCE, AE, Leadership Society by the National Association of REALTORS® — essentially, the AE (association executive) hall of fame.

Gormley also holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in mass communication from Texas State University.

Marsha Collins-Mroz, CIPS, AHWD, SFR, MRP
Homesmart Connect Real Estate
Presenting: Global Vision, Local Impact

Marsha Collins-Mroz, is a full-time Illinois and Florida Real Estate Broker with a combined 50 + years of experience.

President of Global Partners in Real Estate LLC., and team Lead for ” My Global Partner” affiliated with Homesmart Connect, Illinois and Sun Realty, Florida.

In addition to her primary real estate business, she consults and oversees the acquisition and disposition of primary residences, vacation/second homes, and commercial real estate, and identifies real estate opportunities domestically and abroad.

Her personally vetted network of global partners are uniquely skilled and positioned to assist with the needs of her clients; focusing on advancing their knowledge of local markets and opportunities, empowering them to make informed decisions.

Additional Real Estate related products and projects include Modular Homes for Workforce, Commercial, Hotel, and Luxury markets. Green building investment, and end user opportunities thru out Greece. U.S. Family Entertainment Investment

Her motto: “Whether moving across town or around the world, it’s handled.”

Her contributions within the Real Estate community include:

International Speaker on U.S. and Foreign Opportunities, Real Estate Ownership for Employment Based Visas, and Luxury Properties in Thailand, India, Cambodia, China, and Greece

Speaker on “globally connecting” for Real Estate Associations and Companies – Nationally and Abroad.

Vice President; International Membership, and Events and Conference, FIABCI International, The International Real Estate Federation

Director, FIABCI U.S.A. World Chapter

National Association of Realtors (NAR) -3 terms, Certified International Property Specialists Advisory Board

NAR President’s Liaison to Greece- 3 terms

NAR Conference and Events Committee -3 terms

NAR Global Business and Alliance Committee-2 terms

Participation at MIPIM Cannes, France- multiple years, as part of the Illinois Realtors Advance Team, and Participating Member at FIABCI International at MIPIM.

Illinois Realtors Liaison to Consul General of Greece, Chicago/Midwest

Director at Mainstreet Organization of Realtors- 2 terms (recognized by NAR as a Mega Board)

Chair-2 terms, Vice Chair- 2 terms of the Global Council for Mainstreet Organization of Realtors’ 20,000 members

Director and Founding Member, Association of South Asian Real Estate Professionals- ongoing