Upstate Appraiser Malinda Griffin Earns Prestigious National Award
April 23, 2026
Simpsonville Resident Named 2026 Recipient of the Y.T. and Louise Lee Lum Award
The Upstate South Carolina community has reason to celebrate. Malinda Griffin, MNAA, owner and operator of Malinda Griffin & Co. in Simpsonville, South Carolina, has been named the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Y.T. and Louise Lee Lum Award by the Appraisal Institute Education and Relief Foundation (AIERF). The honor was presented at the Appraisal Institute’s annual conference held in Nashville, Tennessee, recognizing Griffin’s extraordinary service and dedication to the real estate appraisal profession.
About the Award
Established in 1963, the Y.T. and Louise Lee Lum Award is one of the appraisal profession’s most distinguished honors. It was created to commemorate Y.T. Lum, a prominent member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, an internationally recognized speaker and authority on real estate, and his wife, Louise Lee. The award is presented annually by the AIERF to recognize individuals who have made a distinguished contribution to the advancement of the appraisal profession.
According to the Appraisal Institute, the award is given “in recognition of and great appreciation for the distinguished contribution to the furtherance of the high ideals of the profession of real estate appraising and practices, mindful of the fact that this contribution was possible only through the zeal, uprightness, sacrifice, devotion, acumen and ability of the contributor.” Notably, the award is open to both Appraisal Institute members and non-members alike, underscoring its profession-wide significance.
A Career Built on Service and Dedication
Griffin founded Malinda Griffin & Co. in 1990 and has been serving the Upstate of South Carolina as a Certified Residential Appraiser since 1992. Over more than three decades, she has built a reputation for excellence, serving a wide range of clients including lending institutions, appraisal management companies, attorneys, and accountants. She also offers title abstracting services and, since 2018, has expanded her practice to provide continuing education for both appraisers and real estate agents throughout South Carolina.
Her contributions to the profession extend well beyond her local practice. Griffin served as President of the South Carolina Professional Appraisers Coalition (SCPAC) in 2020 and continues to chair its Education Committee. She was elected to the National Association of Appraisers (NAA) Board of Directors in 2021 and was installed as NAA President in 2024 — a role in which she has been a tireless champion for appraisers across the country. She is also the 2025 Chair of TAFAC, the Appraisal Foundation Advisory Council, further cementing her influence at the national policy level.
As a licensed continuing education instructor for both appraisers and realtors in South Carolina, Griffin has made mentorship and professional development a cornerstone of her career. She currently mentors appraiser trainees, supporting the next generation of valuation professionals entering the field. Her passion for education and advocacy has made her a respected voice in industry discussions at every level.
In 2025, Griffin’s professional standing was further recognized at the state level when she was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster and confirmed by the South Carolina Senate to serve on the South Carolina Real Estate Appraisers Board under the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCLLR). The appointment reflects the confidence state leaders have placed in her expertise and her commitment to upholding professional standards in the appraisal industry.
Griffin holds the MNAA designation from the National Association of Appraisers, as well as the Home Measurement Specialist (HMS) and Appraisal Review certifications. She is an FHA-approved appraiser based in Laurens County.
“Malinda Griffin exemplifies the spirit of this award — someone who has given selflessly of her time, knowledge, and energy to elevate the entire appraisal profession. Her work in education, advocacy, and mentorship reflects the highest ideals of our field.”
The Y.T. and Louise Lee Lum Award recipients are selected by the Directors of the Appraisal Institute Education and Relief Foundation and recognized at the Institute’s national conference each year. Griffin joins a distinguished list of past honorees who have shaped the landscape of real estate valuation across the United States.
The Upstate South Carolina community congratulates Malinda Griffin on this well-deserved national recognition — a testament to a career defined by integrity, excellence, and unwavering commitment to the profession she loves.
