An all-star leader

The IREM Foundation Associate Board is a group of passionate real estate professionals who believe in giving back. Their purpose?

• Connect with industry peers by serving as Foundation ambassadors
• Open doors for others by fundraising to provide more scholarships and grants
• Impact communities around the world by hosting service projects

Simply put, they’re here to make a difference.

For Mario Lomeli, ACoM^®, joining the Associate Board was personal. He grew up in a small town in the heart of wine country in Northern California. He remembers traveling to bigger cities early on and being fascinated by all the large multi-story buildings that stood out from the average suburban homes, townhouses, and condominiums that he saw every day. He was drawn to them, always wondering how they were built, who was inside, and what they were doing.

As the years went by, Lomeli had an ambitious vision of being a famous athlete like Kobe Bryant or Cristiano Ronaldo, but in high school, he realized that path probably wasn’t meant for him. He still gave it his all in every competition because that’s the kind of person he is. It was around that time when he also started considering what his future real-life career would be.

Looking for an all-star career

It didn’t take Lomeli long to realize that he wanted to work in the real estate industry. He recognized that even if he couldn’t be a star athlete, he could still have a career that was just as exciting, rewarding, and fulfilling. This was his chance to learn more about those fascinating, larger-than-life buildings that have always captivated him.

Lomeli hasn’t looked back since. But it also hasn’t always been easy. A few years ago, he was going through a tough financial time and looking for support to continue his education. That’s when he found out about the IREM Foundation scholarships. “It felt like a ray of sunshine coming through the rain clouds,” he says. Not only was he grateful for financial support, but he also felt immense acceptance into a community where he was appreciated and celebrated. Receiving the scholarship was a monumental milestone that ignited a spark in him to grow and develop in a tremendously positive way, both personally and professionally. Thanks to that one scholarship, he was able to earn his ACoM certification, setting the stage for him to accomplish several more accolades, including:

• Being recognized in 2023 as an IREM 30 under 30
• Joining the IREM San Francisco Board of Directors in 2024 and leading the creation of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee
• Being named the 2024 Diversity & Inclusion Succession Initiative (DISI) Leader
• Being named in the North Bay Business Journal as a Forty Under 40 award recipient for his excellence in career and community service (2024)

Giving back

In 2023, when Lomeli heard about the IREM Foundation Associate Board, he knew he wanted to give back and help others achieve their own version of success. He jumped right in and got to work, securing a corporate partnership for the Foundation, which brought in critical funds for the Foundation’s mission. He is always the first to raise his hand and offer his talents and connections. Lomeli is a force and a changemaker.

He also enjoys the networking opportunities the Associate Board has provided him, meeting industry peers from around the world and providing new perspectives, insights, and experiences. “It’s just an awesome community to be a part of because I get to do something different than my normal job, and I get to learn new things while making a difference,” he says. “It’s so much fun!”

Now, in 2025, Lomeli continues to lead his local chapter’s DEI committee and has stepped into a leadership role as Co-Chair of the IREM Foundation Associate Board—all while pursuing his CPM® certification. He has many more goals for himself in the future but doesn’t hesitate to reflect on where he’s been: “Looking back, it’s amazing and inspiring to see where my journey has taken me and how it all began with that one IREM Foundation scholarship,” he says. “If I could say something to my younger self, it would be that no matter where you’re going, it starts from where you are.”

Impact of the board

The Associate Board plays a key role in supporting the IREM Foundation’s initiatives, specifically through fundraising and stewardship. Associate Board members help secure critical funding for scholarships and grants while also engaging with donors and beneficiaries to show appreciation and strengthen long-term relationships. By championing these efforts, the Associate Board ensures the Foundation can continue making a lasting impact.

Members like Lomeli prove that when we lift each other up, the entire industry rises together. If you’re passionate about real estate management and want to make a real impact by giving back, consider joining the IREM Foundation Associate Board. Reach out to foundation@irem.org or check out the IREM Foundation website to learn more.