Emilykaye Mitchelson
LEADER OF THE MONTH
WRITTEN BY LALEY FREEMAN | PHOTOS BY NESTED TOURS
A Trajectory for Success
Emilykaye Mitchelson is no stranger to making her mark on the world. Although she was born and raised in Oklahoma City, she spent her formative years as a teeanger on the East Coast. Her parents, who were educators, provided her with the opportunity to attend two East Coast boarding schools. The time she spent on the coast allowed her to grow, both academically and personally, in ways that would significantly impact the trajectory of her life.
Upon graduation from Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, Emilykaye was among the first classes of women to receive a high school diploma from the previously all-male school. While her time at the boarding school had come to an end, her time on the coast had, in many ways, just begun.
She attended Mount Holyoke College, a private, liberal arts women’s college in South Hadley, MA, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in sociology. Immediately following the completion of her undergraduate program, she packed up her things and headed toward her next adventure: New York.
New York, New York
Emilykaye was accepted into Columbia University’s School of Law, where she later received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, a prestigious doctorate degree required to practice law in the United States. Before returning to Oklahoma, she spent a few more years working in Lafayette, LA.
To this day, she is extraordinarily grateful to her parents for so much of what she has accomplished in life. “My family, past and present, is my greatest blessing and foundation,” she told us. “I am grateful for parents who exemplified standards of excellence, loved me, believed in me, encouraged me, and sacrificed to provide great educational opportunities for me.”
There’s No Place Like Home
In 1983, Emilykaye and her husband decided to move to Oklahoma to be closer to family. Since returning, she has been a trailblazer in multiple industries and positions, creating an inspiring path for others to follow.
Emilykaye is a licensed attorney and previously served as a Municipal Judge for the city of Oklahoma City, including a term as Presiding Judge. Although she has gone on to pursue other work, she has continued to serve on boards and commissions of all varieties across the state and community. Her heart for growth and leadership is a core part of who she is, and that will follow her wherever she goes.
Real Estate
In September of 2012, her real estate career began. “I started at ParadigmAdvantEdge Realty, which was later acquired by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties in February of 2015,” she said. She was affiliated with Metro First Realty at Lake Hefner for four years. Today, Emilykaye is with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors® in Edmond, OK.
Having such a diverse professional background has allowed Emilykaye to bring a unique level of value to her real estate clients. “I work with integrity, attentiveness, and dedication to help my clients negotiate the best possible housing and real estate solutions,” she shared.
As a highly educated woman, continuing education has been, and continues to be, a top priority in her life. Even since beginning her career in real estate, she has discovered many ways to incorporate growth into her routine. She has witnessed the impact and transformation that education has had on her life and the lives of others around her; although she is no longer in school, nothing will stop Emilykaye from seeking out new avenues for learning. “I am passionate about personal growth and development and experience lifelong learning through books, podcasts, videos, and live presentations,” she shared.
“I define success as growing every day, remaining humble, and encouraging others to grow,” she said. “To quote Zig Ziglar, ‘You can have everything in life you want if you will just help other people get what they want.’”
Hard Work, Great Reward
Life as a mother, wife, real estate agent, licensed attorney, board member, and a friend can get hectic, but she has learned strategies for balancing it all. “I decide on my goals and priorities in the areas of business, financial, personal, family, and spiritual. I then schedule time blocks and action steps to work towards those goals and manage occasional adjustments to priorities,” she told us.
Over the last several decades, Emilykaye has proudly served as a Commissioner for the Oklahoma City Housing Authority, Commissioner for the Oklahoma State Department of Human Services, United Way Board of Directors, Leadership Oklahoma City Board of Directors, and Heritage Hall Board of Trustees.
Today, she serves as the Vice President of the Oklahoma Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® (OKCMAR) board of directors, District 6 vice president for the Oklahoma Association of REALTORS®, as a member of the Risk Management Issue Committee for the National Association of REALTORS®, and is a major investor for the REALTOR® Political Action Committee. “I am grateful for the opportunity to enhance my leadership skills as a member of the 2022 Class of LeadershipOAR,” she said.
Additionally, she serves on the board of directors for the Leadership Oklahoma City Alumni Association, volunteers at her church, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond as a member of the Property Board and as a lector, is the vice president of her graduating class from Phillips Exeter Academy, and co-chairs a Mount Holyoke College reunion committee. Last, but certainly not least, she holds the following real estate certifications: Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI), Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), At Home With Diversity (AHWD), Short Sales and Foreclosures (SSF).
The Great Balancing Act
Emilykaye Mitchelson has accomplished more in her life than many people could imagine, and her family gives her the fuel she needs to keep going onward and upward. “I am grateful for the love, support, and wise counsel of my husband and two adult sons. I also appreciate the many other mentors and advisors, too numerous to name, who have influenced me for a ‘reason, a season, or a lifetime.’”
Looking back to her childhood, there is no question as to why she gives such great thanks to her parents, who believed in her, the power of education, and ultimately sacrificed what they needed to in order to provide such an important and life-changing trajectory for her life. Her success is abundant, and so is her joy; what a beautiful tribute to the people she loves most.
