Serving with Purpose: Michelle Purdum's Commitment to Iowa Real Estate

For Michelle Purdum, serving on the Iowa Real Estate Commission is both an honor and an opportunity to give back to a profession she loves.

"I love being a REALTOR® and have always respected the Commission rules,” she recalls. When she was encouraged by another Commissioner to apply for an appointment to the board, it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. 

“To be appointed was an absolute honor,” she says of officially joining the IREC in April 2026 after being appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds. 

Now just months into her term, Purdum is gaining a deeper understanding of the Commission's role and responsibility.

"I'm learning so much about the processes and duties of the Commission and the importance of how we protect the public," she says.

Serving on the Commission has strengthened Purdum's perspective as a REALTOR® and reinforced the importance of professionalism in every transaction.

“How we represent our clients and the REALTOR® Brand is everything in this business,” Purdum says. “The public hires us to represent them, trusting we are acting in their best interest.  If we don't keep the professional bar raised high, why would people want to hire us?”

Purdum believes one of the most important things REALTORS® can understand about the Commission is that rules and expectations serve an important purpose.

"There must be rules and set expectations for any organization to have strong stability and presence," she says. "Those rules are there to protect the public, and our jobs as REALTORS® are to protect them too."

Purdum believes the future of the industry depends on REALTORS® who are willing to serve beyond their own businesses.

"It's important to get involved to keep our industry strong," she says. "Organizations can't run themselves. We as a whole will only be as strong as our leadership & how we represent the REALTOR® brand."

For REALTORS® interested in leadership or volunteer opportunities, but unsure how to start, Purdum offers strong advice: start close to home. 

"Get involved at your local board level first," she says. "Pay attention to what's happening at Iowa REALTORS® and the committees that might be of interest to you.”

For Purdum, service is about more than holding a position, it's about helping protect consumers, strengthening the profession and ensuring Iowa real estate remains strong for years to come.