As the first woman to hold the top federal advocate spot in NAR’s 110-year history, Shannon McGahn doesn’t pull punches.

During the past year, the senior vice president of government affairs redesigned the NAR’s federal advocacy team with the goal of strengthening key and strategic relationships in the House and Senate for a new political era. McGahn’s reboot of NAR’s Washington operation began with a renewed focus on the organization’s members. She dispatched a new group of traveling political representatives across America to become advocacy’s eyes and ears and serve as a critical conduit for information between communities and decision-makers in Washington. McGahn’s team helped secure victories on top federal priority items like a full fiscal year extension of the National Flood Insurance Program, a seven-year reauthorization of TRIA, and various tax extenders critical to American real estate. McGahn’s ambitious plan also brought a renewed presence of NAR at conventions and political events for both Democrats and Republicans. She quickly became known for her open-door policy at NAR and spirit of collaboration across the organization. Managing federal legislative and political affairs for America’s largest trade association also takes McGahn around the country as a highly sought out and respected voice on housing and the economy.