Christy Stanley
CELEBRATING LEADERS
PHOTOS BY SHAWNA MCDUFFIE, PEAK RES | STORY BY ZACH COHEN
“Talent is a gift, but character is a choice.”
Christy Stanley and her husband, Chris, purchased their first home in 1993. As first-time homebuyers, this event was monumental for the couple, but this event also had another unexpected and more lasting impact on Christy’s life.
“We had no clue what we were doing, and our REALTOR® was so sweet but provided absolutely no guidance,” Christy remembers. “I decided then that I wanted to get my real estate license just so we would know what we were doing the next time.”
Christy fell in love with real estate. She worked for a property management company for several years before getting into residential real estate in 1998. For the next 23 years, she solidified her reputation as one of Oklahoma City’s most caring and hardworking real estate agents.
New Beginnings
In 2021, Christy took on a new challenge that reshaped her career. She had already been a part of the KW Elite team for 10 years, and Mo Anderson, the owner of KW Elite, asked her if she would step in to be the Interim Team Leader for 60 days.
“I said no,” Christy explains. “I knew I had a passion for leading, but I was busy selling real estate and honestly, very comfortable in my business after 23 years of selling. I led and served in my community, and that was enough for me.”
But when Mo asked again, Christy reconsidered. She remembered all of the times she challenged her two children to lean into discomfort and growth and decided to take a dose of her own medicine.
“When this position as a leader at Keller Williams was offered to me, my husband and children said, ‘You’re always challenging and encouraging us to do hard things, Mom. This is your hard thing.’ They were right. At 54, I am doing something new and rewarding that I never imagined I would do.”
Christy’s interim role has transitioned into a permanent role as CEO and Team Leader of Keller Williams Elite, a team that closed over 3400 transactions for $883 million in 2021.
To Christy, KW Elite is all about their culture. They interact with each other, clients, and partners in a collaborative, respectful, and kind way. It may sound simple, but Christy believes that’s what sets her team apart.
Drawing on her Roots
Growing up, Christy’s dad was often helping people, but he never wanted anyone to know.
“He would mow someone’s yard or pay the bill for someone who couldn’t afford it,” Christy explains. “If I knew of someone at school who couldn’t pay for a field trip or a church camp, I told my dad, and he managed to quietly take care of it. Everyone would wonder who was responsible, but he would never tell that it was him. My mom was always teaching, at school and at church, volunteering, serving, or taking a meal to someone. Their selfless acts of service really made an impression on me.”
Christy continues to live by the principles of selflessness and giving that her parents modeled. Stepping into a leadership role amid the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t an easy task, and it has required Christy to stay focused on her team and her values.
“Thanks to an incredible leadership team, a selfless Agent Leadership Council, and an owner who would do anything to see her REALTORS® succeed, we pushed through. Our culture is back and stronger than ever. It’s honestly so fun to have a front-row seat to what’s happening at our office,” Christy beams.
As Christy steps further along the path of leadership, she remembers her values. Above all else, she wants to be remembered for loving and serving those around her.
“If all you have to say about me at the end of life is that I was a good REALTOR®, I did something wrong.”
Fun Fact
Christy and her husband have been married for 29 years and have two children, Caitlyn and Cooper. Chris actually took Christy on her very first date, but it would be another 10 years before they started dating again.
