Atlanta, February 6, 2026 – AREAA Atlanta Metro Chapter held its annual installation ceremony Thursday evening, welcoming 21-year-old Nini Le as its new president, making her one of the youngest chapter leaders in the organization's history.
The ceremony marked a significant moment for the chapter, which has demonstrated remarkable strength following the tragic loss of 2024 President Jimmy Chang, who died in a traffic accident in December 2024.
From Unexpected Invitation to Chapter Leader
Le's journey with AREAA Atlanta began just two years ago in an unexpectedly simple way.
At 19, working her first job in real estate, she received a spontaneous invitation from her friend to attend a gathering.
“My friend gave no explanation, no agenda, just ‘Hey, you should come,'” Le recalled in her installation speech.
“I was 19. I was trying to figure out contracts, commissions, and everything else. I didn't feel established. I didn't feel confident.”
But she went anyway—and that decision changed her trajectory.
“What I walked into was a room full of genuine warmth—people from all over the industry who didn't care about credentials or rules. They just cared that I showed up,” Le said. “That was my introduction to AREAA.”
A Chapter Built on Resilience
Le takes the helm of a chapter known for its strength in adversity. When former AREAA Atlanta President Jimmy Chang passed away unexpectedly, 2025 President Cindy Hoa Nguyen stepped into leadership under difficult circumstances, guiding the chapter through grief while maintaining an active calendar of events.
“None of us were prepared for that kind of loss,” Nguyen reflected. “But what really amazed me was how our chapter rallied. Everyone came together in such a genuine way.”
Despite the heartbreak, the chapter hosted continuing education classes, the inaugural “Charity Pickle for a Purpose” pickleball tournament, industry roundtables, networking mixers, and community service projects throughout 2025.
Ready to Lead at 21
In her installation address, Le acknowledged both the weight of responsibility and her readiness to serve.
“Stepping into this leadership role felt scary,” she admitted. “Not because I didn't want it, but because I understood the weight of the responsibility. But I said yes, knowing that I would grow, and knowing that I wouldn't be doing it alone.”
Le expressed gratitude to mentors who demonstrated leadership with grace—her “number one, my reassurance, my day one”—and to family members who formed her foundation.
“Standing here at 21, I can't believe this organization trusts me with such an important responsibility,” Le said. “But I'm here. I'm ready to lead, ready to learn, and ready to grow.”
About AREAA
The Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) is a nonprofit professional trade organization with over 17,000 members in 45 chapters across the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 2003, AREAA works to promote sustainable homeownership opportunities in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
AREAA Atlanta Metro Chapter, also established in 2003, has earned recognition as one of the organization's most active chapters, receiving multiple Best of AREAA Awards.
For more information, visit www.areaa.org/atlantametro.
