For the past 10 years, Drea Villanueva has been a driving force at Get Community (GC), leading with creativity, great strategies, and an unwavering passion for digital marketing in the homebuilding industry. As an Account Director, she has helped homebuilders bring their homes and communities to the forefront while building meaningful connections. Now, she’s stepping into an exciting new role as President of the Greater Sales & Marketing Council (GSMC), bringing her expertise and leadership to an even broader stage. In this exclusive Q&A, we dive into Drea’s journey — her career evolution, the people who inspired her, and her vision for the future of GSMC. Let’s get to know the woman behind the office and celebrate this well-deserved milestone!
GC: You began as a Social Media Manager in 2016, before taking on the role of Account Director at Get Community, and now you are serving as President of the Greater Sales & Marketing Council — what a journey! What inspired you to pursue a leadership role in the homebuilding industry?
Drea: All my life I have just naturally found myself in leadership positions. When I decided to run for a spot on the executive committee of GSMC, it was at a time when I felt we were discussing the same obstacles over and over without shifting how we function. I’m the type of person who would rather be part of the change than part of the problem, so I went for it!
GC: How did you first become involved at GSMC?
Drea: Our CEO, Kelly Borgen, made me do it! Just kidding; she didn’t make me, but she encouraged me, and I saw how it had a positive impact on her career. She knew it was time for her to take a step back and have a fresh perspective on the board. I was also pretty fresh on the GC team and was eager to say yes to any opportunity thrown my way, so I applied.
GC: Did you have any role models or mentors that helped shape your path toward becoming President?
Drea: Of course, Kelly was and is my biggest mentor when it comes to GSMC. Even though she’s not serving on the board, I still run things by her all the time and get her opinion. I also feel like the entire board really mentored me when I first joined. They all wanted me to succeed, which I will always appreciate. I especially have to give a shout-out to Shelly Lynch, Renee Self-Gibbons, Steve Greco, and Dottie Sweeney-Smith, who were all part of my marketing committee for the first couple of years I served. They showed me the ropes and had my back.
GC: Looking back at your early days at Get Community and GSMC, what skills or experiences helped prepare you for executive leadership?
Drea: It’s really important to listen and go out of your way to hear as many perspectives as possible. We all want to be right all the time, but sometimes, we’re just not. This isn’t something I’ve always been good at doing, but as I’ve grown on the GC team and in my role at GSMC, I learned that it’s not about me, it’s about the collective group. You won’t know what’s best for everyone if you don’t listen to your people.
GC: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as you climbed the ranks at Get Community and GSMC, and how did you overcome them?
Drea: I still deal with imposter syndrome, so I wouldn’t say I’ve overcome it. What does help is hearing feedback from my GC team and the GSMC board members. I don’t think they know they’re doing it half the time, but sometimes, they’ll say something positive about my leadership, and I’m reminded and encouraged that I’m making a difference.
GC: How do you manage to stay informed about industry trends while balancing the numerous responsibilities of a leadership position?
Drea: I juggle many things, but I make it a priority to take time to educate myself on marketing and building industry trends. For marketing trends, I subscribe to several company eblasts, so I start my day looking at what’s trending. Then, I pass on actionable insights to my team. I also enjoy reading books, and attend a lot of conferences where I am able to get fresh perspectives from leaders in-the-know. When it comes to mining for building industry trends, LinkedIn is a great place to find insights and educational opportunities. The resources are plentiful, but the important thing is making time to do the research.
GC: What advice would you give to someone in an entry-level marketing role who dreams of one day entering a leadership position?
Drea: My number one piece of advice is to say yes to as many opportunities as you can, and raise your hand to volunteer because that’s how you meet people, build a network, gain experience, and learn all aspects of the industry. When you’re just beginning your career, it’s important to expose yourself to all types of new things, so if there is an opportunity to serve on a committee or volunteer in some capacity, say yes!
GC: How has your leadership style evolved from managing social media accounts, to being in an executive role where you help oversee Get Community and now GSMC?
Drea: When I was managing social media accounts, my focus was leading the charge for that specific part of the company. Now that I’ve moved into a position where I help oversee the company alongside Kelly, Ryan (COO), and Catherine (Senior Account Director), I think about everything from a bigger picture. I have to thoughtfully consider how we are providing service to our clients, but also about how we are guiding and growing our team as a whole.
GC: Can you share a moment in your career that made you realize, ‘I’m ready for this next step’?
Drea: When I ran for the GSMC executive board, I had to pitch myself to the board and prove to them that I could do it. I remember Tracey Long telling me, “Stand up and sell yourself.” To have someone as accomplished as she is believe in me gave me incredible confidence. I was also running against Lisa Morris from BMG Advertising and we were super close while she served on the board. When they totaled the votes, Lisa said, “I totally voted for you.” When veterans in this industry support you, it makes a difference.
GC: What excites you most about your new role as President of GSMC, and what vision do you have for the council’s future?
Drea: I’m excited to execute the fresh ideas our board is bringing to the table! We are in the process of analyzing our membership so that we can provide the most value to our members. We are also working on making some exciting changes to The SoCal MAME Awards because everyone has been asking for us to do something new, and we are going to deliver on that this year. So this is my plug: If you haven’t already, join GSMC now! You are definitely going to want to be a part of all the amazing things we’re doing this year.