1
Boomsma runs Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE), one of the nation’s most influential brokerage networks with more than 550 firms and some 134,000 agents in over 70 countries. The invitation-only organization counts many of the nation’s largest brokerages as members. They network and share best practices and referrals with each other. Boomsma started at LeadingRE in 2005, creating its Luxury Property International, which he led until becoming brokerage network CEO in 2018.
2
As co-founder and CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), Acosta leads the nation’s largest Hispanic business organization with over 40,000 members across 100 chapters, and the largest and most powerful real estate association outside of NAR. He co-founded L’Attitude Ventures, a Latino-focused $100 million venture firm, where he serves as partner. The serial entrepreneur has founded several mortgage, real estate and tech companies and formerly served on the board of Mortgage Bankers Association of America.
3
As founder and CEO of his eponymous real estate coaching company, Ferry is influential in the industry with a role helping professionals navigate their challenges and implement tactical growth solutions. Having launched the firm in 2004, Ferry now shares his insights at training events, through his two bestselling books and a popular YouTube channel. In 2024, Ferry launched an AI-powered coaching chatbot and supported research into the power and value of teams.
4
Brian Buffini leads business-building firm Buffini & Company, which he founded in 1996 to coach and train real estate professionals in securing more leads and sales. His brother, Dermot, has been company CEO since 2013. In 2024, the firm announced a new designation, Certified Full-Service Professional, to meet the shifting buyer agent dynamics. The firm reports it has worked with more than 3 million professionals in 45 countries.
5
As president and CEO, Cheatham leads an influential network of more than 60 large brokerages across North America. He has also been CEO of the Broker Resource Network, which he co-founded, since 2020. Cheatham, who has a reputation for real estate leadership and service, is also on the board of managers for the Broker Public Portal, the Real Estate Service Providers Council board, NAR’s Real Estate Services Advisory Board and the board of the St. Louis-based multiple listing system MARIS.
6
As CEO of the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO), DeBord oversees real estate data standards development and implementation in the industry. In this role, he has become one of the chief players in streamlining the use of real estate data across different uses by promoting data standards. In 2024, the nonprofit ratified a new standard to enable brokerage or technology vendor certification.
7
In 2023, Rose became president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, which has approximately 20,000 members and focuses on developing Black real estate professionals and improving homeownership opportunities for Black Americans. In 2024, the association released its 10th annual State of Housing in Black America report, which it supported with a Building Black Wealth Tour in 100 cities. A real estate broker since 2002, Rose has led her family’s company, George E. Johnson Properties, since 2019. She began her career at Accenture and has a doctorate in organizational leadership.
8
In 2023, Edgerton was promoted to chief legal officer at Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a global network of more than 550 real estate brokerages. In her role, which also includes the title of executive vice president of industry and learning, she oversees the firm’s legal affairs and its online learning platform. She is also charged with building alliances to support diversity, equity and inclusion.
9
Zorn has been at the California Regional MLS, one of the nation’s largest MLSs with more than 107,000 subscribers, since 2015. Responsible for all legal aspects from contracting to litigation management, he is also involved in the MLS’s daily operational and strategic direction. He is a member of the California Association of Realtors’ legal affairs forum, serves on the Professional Standards Committee in Tennessee, and is a past member of NAR committees for MLS listing issues and policy and for professional standards. Zorn shares his insights as both a lawyer and Realtor as a frequent industry event speaker and podcast guest.
10
James oversees the real estate coaching enterprise he launched in 2008. He also runs companies offering a transaction coordination closing tool (Cleared and Closed) and a digital communication tool (FyrstUp) as well as other startups. Known as a thought leader and industry influencer, James hosts a business podcast and has authored several motivational books. The Jared James Experience in Nashville, Tennessee, annually draws more than 1,000 attendees.
11
Evans leads the Council of Multiple Listing Services, the largest professional organization dedicated to the MLS industry. Bringing together a reported 235 MLS member organizations, the association helps guide the industry by providing a voice to MLSs. Evans regularly takes a public stance on issues, most recently speaking out in favor of Clear Cooperation and its role in housing market integrity in an open letter to NAR in late 2024.
12
As CEO of the Women’s Council of Realtors, Stinton leads the Chicago, Illinois-based organization’s efforts to support and empower a nationwide community of reportedly around 13,000 members. Stinton took over as CEO of the council in September 2023 after spending nearly 16 years at NAR, most recently as its director of leadership and sustainability.
13
Skinner is attorney/owner at Larson Skinner PLLC. He joined forces with former NorthstarMLS CEO Brian Larson in 2014 and later became partner and owner of the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based firm. Skinner is known for providing legal counsel to associations, MLSs and RESO on intellectual property, data management, consolidation and collaborative initiatives and professional standards and governance.
14
Schneider, a partner at Washington, D.C.-based law firm ArentFox Schiff, provides legal counsel to many Realtor associations and MLSs including BrightMLS. As part of his work with the nation’s second largest MLS, which has more than 100,000 subscribers, Schneider hosted media briefings and webinars on the NAR settlement and navigating next steps in 2024.
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