Jennifer Lee, Ph.D., sales agent at Mackey Realty in Charlotte, North Carolina, is no stranger to helping others. As a residential real estate agent and a volunteer with Veterans Bridge Home (VBH), Lee has made a remarkable impact on her community. Balancing her role as an agent with her passion for service, she demonstrates how philanthropy can shape not only individuals but also their careers.
Lee’s journey into real estate began unexpectedly in 2018. “Honestly, it started as a dare,” she says. “After I completed my doctorate in education, my husband and I relocated to his hometown in Charlotte, North Carolina. He and my mother-in-law, a veteran agent, encouraged me to join her firm and begin this adventure.” Lee is licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina.
Six months into her new career, Lee discovered striking parallels between teaching and real estate. “This job is about guiding others in making smart financial decisions,” she says. “It requires patience, breaking down complex processes and caring about people.”
As an advocate for lifelong learning, Lee was drawn to the Residential Real Estate Council (RRC) and began her journey toward earning the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation.
For Lee, RRC provides invaluable resources and opportunities for agents striving for mastery. “As a CRS candidate, I know this designation will provide me the tools I need to support people at the highest level,” she says.
Her involvement with VBH began five years ago. VBH serves as a vital connector for veterans transitioning to civilian life, helping them access resources for housing, employment and more. For Lee, this work has been a labor of love. “I developed a system to track hundreds of property management companies and their approval criteria to match veterans with the right rental properties,” says Lee.
To date, Lee has supported over 600 veterans and their families. Her goal is to streamline the rental process and help veterans find homes quickly while avoiding scams. And VBH doesn’t only serve clients transitioning to civilian life, according to Lee. “Any veterans in our community in need of support or social connection can reach out for assistance. They serve many needs, including social events, employment services and more.”
While her work is rewarding, it is not without challenges. Lee notes that many veterans struggle with credit issues or financial instability, making it difficult for them to secure housing. “Agents should be well-versed in credit repair and the VA loan process to better support veterans,” Lee says.
For Lee, her passion for helping veterans is deeply personal. “My family has served in the military across many generations,” she says. “Working with VBH is my way of giving back.” As a Military Relocation Professional, her focus on veteran homeowners has also boosted her business. “It’s added to my diverse skill set and expanded my network,” she says. “But more than anything, it’s fulfilling to help veterans achieve homeownership.”
For agents, Lee emphasizes the importance of being active participants in their communities. “It gets you out of the office and helps you connect with people from all backgrounds,” she says. “The more exposure you have, the more effective you become at supporting others.”
How do you give back to your community? Share your story and photos to social@crs.com for a chance to be featured in future issues of TRS!
Photo: Steve Cukrov stock.adobe.com
