On Thursday, July 24 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, 25 of Kansas City’s top business leaders were recognized at an honorary luncheon. They all happened to be women, and one of them happened to be local real estate mogul, Kathy Koehler. The Women Who Mean Business program seeks to identify women of success and accomplishment who are doing outstanding things, blazing new trails, creating good partnerships, and helping to make the Kansas City business community a better place. The goal is to encourage more women – and more companies – to put talented women in leadership positions in business and government.
About 25 years ago, Koehler began working for Reece and Nichols, and a few years later, formed her own team with her daughter, Heather Bortnick. The Koehler Bortnick Team closed $177.8 million in sales last year, despite the ailing real estate market, and they are ranked #19 nationally in closed sales volume by the Wall Street Journal.
When Koehler was nominated for her award, she was midway through her battle with cancer. Last fall she was diagnosed with breast cancer, underwent a series of operations, and began chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Refusing to let it slow her down (she only missed two days of work), Koehler became involved with the Touched By Cancer Foundation and was a 2008 Show Home Honoree. The show home is the product of local builders, subcontractors, suppliers, designers, and realtors, and all proceeds from its sale directly benefit the Foundation.
Next month, Koehler will be participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Crown Center. With her team behind her, she hopes her fundraising will significantly contribute to new research and prevention awareness programs.
Koehler continues to defy the odds against her, whether she’s battling the real estate market or cancer. When it comes to maintaining a positive and vibrant outlook on life, she means business.
To contact the Koehler Bortnick Team of Reece & Nichols, call 913.239.2069, or visit www.KBsells.com.
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