KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (December 13, 2021) – Charlotte Zawada is the 2021 recipient of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) Volunteer Award. 

 

KWAR’s Volunteer Award is presented annually to a REALTOR® who has shown both commitment and dedication to the association and within the community. 

 

“Charlotte has a big heart, and is so deserving of this recognition,” says Megan Bell, President of KWAR. “She has been a stalwart supporter of KWAR and the community at large. Her commitment to promoting professionalism and to improving lives of others can be seen in her extensive volunteerism and leadership.” 

 

Zawada has been a member of KWAR since 2004 and is a sales representative with Re/Max Twin City Realty. Throughout her membership with KWAR, Zawada has participated in and chaired numerous committees of the association as well as the Ontario Real Estate Association and Canadian Real Estate Association. From 2013 to 2018 she served on the KWAR board of directors and in 2016 she led the association as president. Since 2018 she has served on the board of directors of Information Technology System Ontario (formerly ORTIS), a not-for-profit corporation providing MLS® Services for 20 real estate associations in Ontario. 

 

Charlotte’s involvement in causes goes back to her days as a young person championing gay and lesbian rights through grassroots organizations such as The Lesbian Organization of Kitchener (LOOK). Then as a retail store employee, she helped to lead the corporation’s United Way campaigns, and raise money to bring families from war-torn Sierra Leon. Once she started her career in real estate, Zawada wanted to make a difference for those struggling to find affordable and adequate housing. She served on the Heartwood Place board of directors in the early days of its formation, and in 2019 she was on the Safe Affordable Housing Committee. Currently, Zawada is a member of the Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region board of directors. 

 

Bill Duce, Chief Executive Officer of KWAR says, “Charlotte has always been a champion of people. Be it her clients, other REALTORS® or those in our community who are vulnerable or could just use additional support to get them by. She leads with her heart and has a moral compass aligned to ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusivity for all.” 

 

A video has been created and can be viewed here.

 

REALTORS® believe that healthy communities depend on a strong economy, safe neighbourhoods, a clean environment, access to housing, and the protection of rights of property owners. KWAR recognizes the need to support and enhance the Quality of Life enjoyed by residents of Waterloo Region. 

 

 

About KWAR: 

Established in 1937, the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) operates the local Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) and provides ongoing professional education courses for over 1,700 REALTOR® members who serve the communities of Kitchener-Waterloo and outlying areas. The term REALTOR® is a trademark identifying members in good standing of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) who provide real estate brokerage services in compliance with CREA’s By-Laws and Rules, the REALTOR® Code, and all applicable federal and provincial laws and regulations.     

 

Since 1993 the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® has donated well more than a million dollars to support local charities on behalf of its REALTOR® members.