Member Spotlight: Myra Nimchaiyong, CCIM

In 2025, Myra made a decision she had been circling for nearly two decades: she was going to finish her CCIM Designation. 

She began the coursework in 2006, completing CI 101 through CI 104 while building her early career in Chicago real estate. But when the market shifted in 2007, she pivoted. Like many in the industry at the time, she adjusted her focus, returned to residential real estate, and put The CCIM Designation on hold. 

From Development to Leadership 
Myra's path into real estate was rooted in the values instilled by her family, who immigrated from Thailand to Chicago in pursuit of opportunity. Growing up in the city shaped her belief in education, service, and the role real estate plays in strengthening communities. 

She entered the industry in 2005 with Century 21, working on development projects in Chicago’s West Loop, South Loop, and other emerging neighborhoods. Selling pre-construction projects introduced her to the financial and strategic side of development and ultimately led her into commercial real estate. 

Today, with more than two decades of experience, she serves as Director of Commercial Real Estate at Century 21 SGR, where she leads the firm’s commercial division. She represents owners, investors, and developers across the Chicago area and is actively involved in industry leadership, including serving as Immediate Past President of the Northern Illinois Commercial Association of REALTORS® and on multiple REALTOR® association boards. 

Through each stage of her career, finishing the CCIM Designation remained a goal. 

The Moment That Changed It 
The turning point came in June 2025 while she was moderating a Commercial Forum event for the Chicago Association of REALTORS®. During the Q&A portion, panelists Devin Rowland, CCIM; Chirayu Patel, CCIM; Michael Williamson, CCIM; and Moses Hall, CCIM encouraged her to complete the designation. 

Later in the same month, during a boat tour with fellow CCIMs, Patel excitedly announced — in front of the group — that Myra would be the next CCIM. The next day, she began reviewing portfolio requirements and committed to finishing the process. 

Relearning and Completing the Process 
Nearly two decades after completing the core courses, Myra had to reacquaint herself with CCIM terminology, portfolio standards, and documentation requirements. She reviewed transactions from the past five years and initially identified 10 deals that were close to the required volume threshold. To ensure she qualified, she submitted 20. 

On July 21, she turned in her portfolio. The portfolio required detailed documentation, structured financial analysis, and strict adherence to CCIM standards. The rigor left little room for error. 

In August, she completed the required Negotiations course, dedicating eight straight hours to finishing it on schedule. In October, at the 2025 Fall Forum in Vancouver, she sat for the six-hour Comprehensive Exam. Out of 130 candidates, 19 did not pass on the first day. She was one of them. 

On the second day, only five of those 19 passed. She was among the five. A result that reflected both preparation and persistence. 

The Impact 
The effect was immediate. “The four letters made the biggest difference,” she says. “When other brokers see CCIM, they know you know what you’re doing.” 

Since earning the Designation, she has seen her business shift. Transactions are larger. Deals are moving more quickly. Conversations begin at a different level. There is also a full-circle element in the story. Today, she is working on a deal with Devin Rowland, CCIM, one of the panelists who publicly encouraged her to finish the Designation earlier this year. 

The credibility is tangible. So is the network. The same community that challenged her to complete the process is now one she stands alongside. 

What’s Next 
For Myra, earning the Designation is not the finish line. She plans to deepen her involvement within The CCIM Institute and pursue leadership opportunities. Her journey is a reminder that the path to professional growth is not always linear— but when preparation meets persistence, the result carries weight.