Coronado High School Alum Earns National Real Estate Honor

Kate Gillingham, Coronado High School Class of 2005, was recently selected as one of the National Association of Realtors 30 under 30 award.  The 30 honorees from around the country are selected as this year’s rising stars - all well rounded professionals, under the age of 30, who have demonstrated skill, success, creativity and leadership in their real estate careers.

Kate began working for her family’s real estate brokerage, Coronado Island Realty, at a very young age answering the phone for her dad, Dave Gillingham.  At age 18, she obtained her real estate salesperson license and became a full time agent in 2009 during her senior year at the University of San Diego. In 2013, at the age of 25, Kate obtaining her Real Estate Broker’s license.

Kate attributes her success at an early age to her education, her parents’ guidance, and the trust of some early clients who believed in her. 

“In my first couple of years as a full-time Realtor, I assisted on a wide range of transactions, including a $4,000,000 sale for a Fortune 500 CEO.  I also represented a real estate investor with 15 of short sales, REOs, and Probate sale purchases.  The real-life education I received through those transactions laid the foundation for me to grow.” 

Kate is currently serving a third year as Chair of the University of San Diego’s Real Estate Alumni Association. In 2014 she served on the Government Affairs Committee, Membership and Education Committee, and Young Professionals Committee at the San Diego Association of Realtors. 

2015 has already proven to be an exciting year for Kate.  In addition to the most recent honor, Kate and her fiancé Brett Milke (CHS class of 2004) are getting married in May and they recently purchased their first home.  Dave and Kate’s latest development project at 1111 9th Street, Coronado, is nearing completion and they are excited to settle into their new office.