“As a single mom, I know what it means to fight for stability and a better future,” Donie Ternian begins. “That’s why I pour my whole heart into helping others do the same — whether it’s advocating fiercely in negotiations or simply being a listening ear when the process feels overwhelming. That impact, that trust, is what makes this work so deeply fulfilling.”

Donie’s path from pharmacy services supervisor to one empathetic, powerhouse Realtor® at Coldwell Banker Realty has been shaped by grit and plenty of empathy. Licensed in April 2022, she’s spent the last three-plus years building a business from scratch that is “rooted in trust, transparency, compassion, and empowerment” — all while showing her son, Ethan, what’s possible when you lead with heart.

Donie’s roots are as resilient as her spirit: “I’m an Assyrian woman born in Iran. When I was just a year old, my family and I migrated to Germany due to the wars that were happening. A few years later, we made our way to San Jose,” she remembers.

That early upheaval taught her adaptability and the importance of a safe home — lessons she now channels into her real estate business. Before obtaining her license, though, Donie spent 11 years as a Pharmacy Services Supervisor at Kaiser Permanente, honing her leadership and service skill sets. But after becoming a mother in April 2021, Donie knew she needed a career that offered greater impact and autonomy.

“I realized that while I loved helping people, I wanted to do it in a way that felt more personal, more flexible, and more aligned with the life I was building, especially as a single mom,” she explains. “I was also overcoming personal challenges at that time.”

By April of 2022, Donie had earned her real estate license. By July of that same year, she had plucked up the courage to leave her abusive relationship and even made the bold decision to forgo child support payments in exchange for full legal and physical custody of her son, while keeping an open-door policy for visitations.

“I technically started out part-time since my son wasn’t in daycare yet,” she recalls. “I lugged my little man around with me and asked my mom to help out when she could. I made real estate my only avenue, so I couldn’t fail!” Truly self-taught and proudly independent, Donie ruled out having a mentor and started her business from scratch while never looking back.

“If you’re coming from a good place and want the best for people, it will naturally flow,” she points out.

Donie’s drive springs from her greatest trial. “Becoming a mom changed everything for me. The day I decided to leave my abusive relationship — it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made,” she recalls. She looked at young Ethan and thought, “I refuse to let that be his reality.” Leaving meant stepping into the unknown, but it also revealed her inner steel: “It showed me just how strong I truly am,” she adds.

That moment also gave her a deep sense of empathy she brings to every transaction while fighting fiercely on her clients’ behalf: “I know what it feels like to be stuck, to feel afraid, and to rebuild from nothing. Because of that, I lead my life and my business with compassion and understanding,” she affirms.

Loving-kindness drives Donie’s entire approach. From hauling mulch to cover an expansive 11,000‑square‑foot lot to emptying a storage unit for a client who moved, she will “do whatever it takes to help my clients transition easier.”

Her faith anchors her as well: “Let all that you do be done in love,” she recites from her favorite Bible passage, 1 Corinthians 16:14.

“If someone I know needs help reading disclosures — even if they’re not my client — I help them,” Donie adds. “I simply hate seeing vulnerable people getting taken advantage of.”

Donie’s empathic style extends to her involvement in various causes. She’s an active member of her community, often playing an integral part in many nonprofit organizations to bring awareness and connect Assyrians living in their ancestral homelands with those throughout the diaspora. From fundraising for sponsor‑a‑kid programs to advocating for sustainable communities, she channels her heritage into service.

She is also a passionate voice for survivors of domestic violence, advocating to bring change to a corrupt family court system.

“I advocate for judges to receive proper training so that no woman or child has to be dragged through the system to be further abused,” she notes. “Just because a victim leaves doesn't mean the abuse ends there.”

Professionally, Donie’s future vision is clear: she wants to become a strong leader in her field, mentor others, and build a team someday down the road that operates with her same heart-centered values, serving people with honesty, care, and transparency.

“I am also planning to obtain my broker’s license in the near future,” she adds with a grin.

Beyond a flourishing career, her boldest ambition is a cause dear to her heart: “I want to bring my biggest dream to life by creating safe havens for children who need a loving home so that they don’t end up in foster care and/or face abuse,” Donie shares. “I envision building places where kids can feel safe, supported, and truly loved, no matter what they’ve been through.”

“Ultimately, my past taught me that no matter what you go through, you can rise above it, rebuild, and create something beautiful — not just for yourself, but for those around you,” she concludes.