Charlie Ponde is the Alberta Real Estate Foundation’s 13th chair of the Board of Governors.
Ponde was appointed to the foundation Board of Governors in 2012 by the Alberta Real Estate Association. Prior to joining the board, he says, “I admired the way AREF was quietly making an impact by funding numerous projects in the province. I always wanted to get involved and be part of the work AREF was doing.”
He was born in India and completed his university education in the city of Mumbai, before immigrating to Canada 48 years ago. After working in the dental field, Ponde entered the real estate profession in 1992, to fulfil a passion for buying and selling real estate and for working with people, the AREF says. He has been an active and full-time member of the Realtors Association of Edmonton ever since. He is a past president and life member of the association.
An active member of the community, Ponde has been involved with several charitable organizations.
He says his first priority in taking on the role of chair is to ensure there is effective communication between the Board of Governors, staff and AREF’s stakeholders. “I may be the chair but I feel it is a team effort. In order for AREF to be effective, the board and staff must be on the same page, working to enhance the real estate industry and make a difference in Alberta together.”
Gary Willson is stepping into the role of past chair. “His leadership and experience in planning, industry and community engagement has enhanced the foundation’s profile and helped increase its reach throughout the province through collaboration with industry and communities,” says AREF.
