As REALTORS® converge on Boston for the NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, Illinois REALTORS® thanks Matt Difanis, Sarah Ware and Deena Zimmerman for volunteering their expertise, time and energy as 2024 NAR committee liaisons.

Difanis, the broker-owner of RE/MAX Realty Associates with offices in Champaign, Monticello and Mahomet, served as the NAR Association Leadership Liaison.

He has served on multiple NAR committees since 2013, including chair of the 2020 Professional Standards Committee and chair of the 2022 Professional Standards Interpretations and Procedures Advisory Board. He was the 2018 Illinois REALTORS® president, is a current member of its board of directors, and has been heavily involved in state committees for more than 14 years, chairing several committees, including the 2021 Nominating Committee and the 2020 Performance/Compensation Review Committee. A member of the 2014 Illinois REALTORS® Leadership Development Class, Difanis has served in numerous leadership positions at the local level, including president and board of directors.

Ware, the principal and designated managing broker of Ware Realty Group, LLC in Chicago, served as the NAR Housing Issues Liaison.

She has served on multiple NAR committees since 2015, including chair of the Smart Growth Advisory Board (twice), Public Policy Coordinating Committee and Housing Opportunity Committee. She’s served on many Illinois REALTORS® committees during the last decade, including chair of the Business Issues Forum and chair of the Housing Opportunity Working Group. A 2016 graduate of the Illinois REALTORS® Leadership Development Class, Ware is the immediate past president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (CAR), is a State Legislative Contact for Rep. Lamont Robinson of Chicago and has served on the board of directors for CAR, Illinois REALTORS® and NAR.

Zimmerman, principal for Baum Realty Group in Chicago, served as the NAR Commercial & Industry Specialties Liaison.

She has been involved in numerous NAR committees for more than eight years. Zimmerman has served on state association committees, including chair of the Commercial/Industrial/Investment Committee and the Young Professionals Network. A member of the 2014 Illinois REALTORS® Leadership Development Class, she is a former State Legislative Contact.

Find out more about the mission and responsibilities of NAR committee liaisons.