Denise Forman Gaines Makes History as First Black Woman Installed as 2026 President of Delaware Association of REALTORS®

Denise Forman Gaines of New Castle County has been named the 2026 president of the Delaware Association of REALTORS®, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the organization’s history. (Photo courtesy of Delaware Association of REALTORS®.)

Denise Forman Gaines of New Castle County has been installed as the 2026 president of the Delaware Association of REALTORS®, marking a historic first for the statewide organization.

Forman Gaines was sworn in during the association’s inaugural gala held Jan. 15 at Wild Quail Golf & Country Club in Camden-Wyoming. She becomes the first Black woman to serve as president of the Delaware Association of REALTORS®, which was founded in 1951.

Her installation was conducted by Colin Mullane, first vice president of the National Association of REALTORS®. The evening included a surprise virtual message from U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, who recognized Forman Gaines’ leadership and highlighted the role the association plays in housing and real estate issues across Delaware.

Additional officers and directors for 2026 were also installed during the ceremony by Christopher Surrana, Region 3 regional vice president of the National Association of REALTORS®. The event reflected the association’s continued focus on leadership development, advocacy and service at both the state and national levels.

As president, Forman Gaines will represent more than 4,000 real estate professionals statewide and help guide the association’s priorities for the year ahead.

“Serving as president of the Delaware Association of REALTORS® is an honor,” said Denise Forman Gaines. “This year, my focus is on strong advocacy, professionalism, and expanding access to housing, while protecting private property rights and serving communities across Delaware.”

Forman Gaines brings more than two decades of experience in real estate and association leadership. She is a longtime member of the New Castle County Board of REALTORS® and previously served as its president in 2021. At the state level, she has served on the Delaware Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors and on committees focused on public policy and fair housing initiatives.

The Delaware Association of REALTORS® leadership team for 2026 includes President-elect John Ford, Vice President Maggie Haass, Treasurer Rosalia Martinez, and Chief Executive Officer and Secretary Wes Stefanick.

Directors installed include representatives from New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties, as well as at-large directors from across the state, reflecting the association’s statewide membership and governance structure.