More Than A REALTOR®: Cathie Velasco Demonstrates Commitment to Community Service
November 21, 2025
The 2025 MVAR Awards & Installation Banquet on Nov. 5 was a night to remember for Cathie Velasco, who was named REALTOR® of the Year in recognition of her outstanding career success and commitment to community service.
As a real estate broker since 2004, Velasco has seen her share of challenging times for the industry. There was the Great Recession, which affected millions of homeowners nationwide from 2008-09, followed a decade later by the COVID-19 pandemic that has had similarly profound effects on the housing market.
Through it all, Velasco, now a principal broker and property manager for Paluska Real Estate in Salem, has been there to help her clients manage the highs and lows. The biggest keys, she said, have been patience, careful listening, and communication to build trust.
“It’s about showing that each client is different and that they mean something,” Velasco said. “It’s not just collecting a paycheck.”
Spirit of Service
Off the clock, Velasco is also a dedicated volunteer for several nonprofit and leadership organizations — including the MVAR Community Foundation, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, and the McLaran Foundation.
“Being willing to just get involved has helped me a lot,” she said.
That spirit of service came from watching her mom while growing up in Orange County, Calif., Velasco said. “I got to help out and see people raising money for different things,” she explained. “It’s all about community, and bringing our community together is what makes my heart happy.”
Velasco moved to Oregon in 1995 and has been with Paluska Real Estate since October 2021. She has two adult sons, Shane and Seth, and is now engaged to her fiancé, Robert Maple. Together, they enjoy fishing, crabbing, and rock-hounding on the coast.
“Being out on the water is like my Zen,” Velasco said.
Empowering Leaders
In July, Velasco took over as chair of the Salem Chamber Business Women, a program dedicated to helping women create strong professional networks and further their professional development. This year has seen remarkable growth, Velasco said, averaging more than 80 people at their monthly events — roughly double the number from last year.
Velasco is also a board director for the McLaran Foundation, which oversees several professional development programs through the Chamber, including Leadership Salem and Salem Young Professionals. Velasco is herself enrolled in Leadership Salem and will graduate from the program in July.
Giving Back to the Community
Over time, Velasco said these opportunities have helped her to become a more confident leader. “I’m not just in the background all the time,” she explained. “I feel like I’ve developed over the years, taking on different challenges and just feeling more connected.”
Velasco serves as Vice President of the MVAR Community Foundation, which raises money for scholarship and housing assistance in the Willamette Valley. She also volunteers on the foundation’s Special Events Committee and chaired the team organizing this year’s Installation and Awards Banquet.
The MVARCF Dessert Dash raised more $17,500 towards their mission.
“I don’t have all the money in the world, but I have some time and I’m willing to be there and help,” Velasco said. “That’s where my main passion is.”