Some leaders build extraordinary businesses. Others build extraordinary people. Michelle Fermin has spent more than two decades doing both.
A global top‑producing real estate leader and recent inductee into the CENTURY 21 Dick Loughlin International Hall of Fame, Michelle has built one of the most successful teams in the CENTURY 21 network. Yet her true legacy stretches far beyond production. Through women’s empowerment networks, scholarships for rising real estate professionals, and global career pathways, she has created opportunities that continue to uplift the next generation of leaders.
Michelle is known not only for her results, but for her heart, her humility, and her unwavering belief that leadership is most powerful when it raises others higher.
Here’s your chance to get to know her more deeply.
Q: Over more than two decades, you’ve built one of the most successful teams in the Century 21 network. What leadership principles have mattered most in creating a culture where people don’t just perform — but truly grow together?
M: Leadership, for me, is rooted in being empathetic, humble, and realistic about who I am—flaws and all. I believe in remaining perpetually coachable. When I interview someone to join our family, I look for two specific traits: Are they coachable, and are they focused on collaboration? Prioritizing those two qualities has helped us maintain a healthy culture of like-minded individuals who support one another’s growth.
Q: Programs like We Women United reflect your deep commitment to empowering women in business. Why do communities like What Moves Her matter right now for women building careers in real estate?
M: When I founded We Women United, I wanted to build a safe harbor where women in leadership could support each other, network, and truly collaborate on how to reach the next level. It’s a place to discuss what’s working, what isn’t, and how to manage the unique pressures of our industry while staying sane.
Beyond that, it offers a space where young women can ask the hard questions: “How did you get there?” or “What would you tell your younger self?” We built it with two goals: providing a level playing field for established leaders to collaborate, and giving young women access to free mentorship. A platform like What Moves Her takes that mission to an even greater scale, allowing us to empower and celebrate one another on a much larger stage.
Q: You’ve achieved remarkable business success while remaining deeply focused on mentorship and service. What has mentoring others taught you about leadership that success alone never could?
M: I am, first and foremost, a student of coaching. I’ve consistently worked with mentors or coaches since 2008—sometimes up to three at a time. I try to put my ego aside and simply ask, “How do I get 1% better today?” Mentorship has taught me that true leadership has nothing to do with numbers or financial attainment; it’s about the impact you make on someone else’s life. Helping someone achieve something they didn’t think was possible is the greatest success of all. It’s life changing to see someone else become successful and to know that you had even a tiny bit of influence in that. It has taught me to be intellectually open and to stay present. Whether I’m talking to a business partner, a mentee, or a new recruit, being actively present is the most critical component of a successful relationship.
Q: You’ve led at the highest levels while staying grounded in integrity. Can you share a moment when choosing people or values over profit ultimately strengthened your organization?
M: There have been many times when I’ve had to turn away—or ask to leave—high-producing agents because they weren’t in alignment with our values. They didn’t share our commitment to how we treat and support one another. Those are tough business decisions because you know they will immediately impact the bottom line, but ultimately, it’s the right move for the integrity and long-term health of the team.
Q: When you think about the women you’ve mentored over the years, what do you most hope they carry forward because of your influence — both professionally and personally?
M: Professionally, I hope they embrace an abundance mindset. When I started, “mum was the word”—successful agents kept their secrets hidden. But I learned that the more I shared, the more I received. Sharing pushed me to educate myself, to think outside the box, and to reach a higher level of professionalism. Helping others is ultimately the best way to help yourself.
Personally, I hope they find the joy that comes from giving. I’ve always been the person who prefers giving gifts to receiving them. I feel my best when I’m putting a smile on someone else’s face. I hope they realize that seeing someone else succeed and be happy is the ultimate reward. I’m also a mother to a son and two women, and now a grandmother to one grandson. If there’s something I want them to learn, it’s that treating everyone fairly, with kindness and generosity is a true gift. Being able to impact someone else’s life in a positive way is so rewarding. I want them to be able to constantly look for ways to improve their community, friendships, relationships. And always ask, how can I do more?
—
Michelle’s leadership is the kind that multiplies. Rooted in humility, powered by service, and sustained by her belief that every woman deserves someone in her corner, she leads with openness, invests deeply in others, and chooses people over profit even when it’s hard. Her influence continues to shape careers, ignite confidence, and create access for women who might never have imagined a place for themselves in this industry.
Michelle doesn’t just build high-performing teams.
- She builds possibility.
- She builds community.
- She builds leaders.
Subscribe
JOIN OUR LIST