Exceptional women are shattering barriers and making significant advancements in the real estate sector. The appeal of this market is undeniable, considering that the global real estate industry is expected to reach a staggering $613.6 trillion in 2023. Fortunately, women have already attained impressive levels of success in the U.S. real estate landscape, constituting 57% of all brokers and agents.
The recipients of this year's awards possess knowledge and dedication that prove invaluable to their clients. They cater to a diverse clientele, including individuals, large corporations, nonprofits, individual investors, and more, all showcasing an unparalleled level of expertise. Their leadership has not only breathed new life into the organizations they serve but also holds the potential to inspire and empower a new generation of women leaders.
This year's honorees include Lori Lane, who serves as the President and Managing Broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties' highly successful New Homes Division. Under Lane's guidance, the Luxury Collection sales have achieved a remarkable 395% increase in sales volume.
We are also proud to recognize Kathryn Scarborough, who holds the position of President at Austin, Engel & Völkers Austin. Notably, Scarborough has consistently been the company's Top Producer from 2004 to 2023 and set a historic record by selling a home listed for $38.9 million, the highest-recorded sale in Austin, Texas's history. Lastly, we celebrate Laura Brady, the visionary Founder and CEO of the international luxury real estate auction firm, Concierge Auctions, which, in just a decade, has achieved sales exceeding $2 billion.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders in Real Estate for 2023.
2. Chelby Sanders
Managing Principal, Cresa
Chelby Sanders is a Managing Principal for Cresa, the world’s largest occupier-only commercial real estate firm. Sanders has a passion for bringing people and possibilities together to create spaces for companies that go beyond. She believes creative thinking powers the vision and business of commercial real estate and can be the driver for the business, brand, culture, and bottom line.
With 20+ years in real estate, Sanders has been fortunate to collaborate on extraordinary projects. Hilton’s HQ relocation, a pivotal moment, marked the beginning of an inspiring journey for her. Facilitating the move of their 250K SF headquarters from Los Angeles to Tyson’s Corner, VA, was an honor, and equally memorable was the American Airlines 1.2M SF project to reshape their HQ Campus following the merger with USAir.
Outside of real estate, Sanders is an entrepreneur and founded Titanium Commercial, an ambitious limestone quarry project in West Texas. She has assembled an expert team to steer the day-to-day operations, leveraging their individual strengths. She is also a co-owner of QB 6666s Ranch, a fully operating cattle ranch that feeds her passion for the outdoors and for horses and cattle. Sanders is a member of the board and finance committee for Fair Park First, Dallas’ hidden gem and home to the State Fair of Texas and the largest collection of Art Deco art and architecture in the US. She graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
4. Lori Lane
President & Managing Broker of the New Homes Division, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties
Lori Lane is President and Managing Broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ highly successful New Homes Division. Her many clients are some of the most respected builders and developers across Greater Atlanta. Lori and her team have created award-winning strategies for the marketing and selling new construction and have won hundreds of awards that celebrate outstanding achievement and excellence in home building and marketing. This past year, the New Homes Division and their clients took home an unprecedented 62 OBIE awards presented by the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association.
Lori has established herself as a powerhouse in the new home construction industry. In addition, she also manages the Luxury Collection marketing and under her leadership, the Luxury Collection sales have seen an increase of 395% in sales volume.
Lori has received numerous awards and accolades including Who’s Who in Residential Real Estate by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Power Players and Top Real Estate Professionals by The Atlantan, Women of Power and Influence by Modern Luxury, and in addition she was named a RIS Media Newsmaker Achiever and Influencer. She defines new home and luxury real estate sales and marketing and continues to make a lasting impact on Atlanta’s real estate industry.
5. Roxanne Kemph
Senior Vice President in Brokerage Services, CBRE
Roxanne Kemph is a Senior Vice President in Brokerage Services at CBRE, Inc. and has represented landlords and tenants in the Tampa Bay area and throughout Florida in excess of 20 years. Her success has not only been in the repositioning and leasing of suburban and CBD office properties, including low-rise, mid-rise, high-rise, and office parks where recent transactions have included Crown, Signode, Cognizant, Baycare Healthcare Systems, University of South Florida Medical Services, Attorney General, but also, repositioning and representing medical office buildings in the Tampa Bay area. She completes in excess of 80 transactions per year ranging from 1,000 to 75,000 SF.
Roxanne’s leasing responsibilities have also included a Class A high-rise office building in downtown, San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is bilingual and an asset in the Florida and Puerto Rico markets.
6. Leigh Griffin
Senior Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield
Leigh Griffin is Senior Managing Director and leads the Property Management business for Cushman & Wakefield in Florida. In this role, Leigh is responsible for growing Cushman & Wakefield’s client base as well as maintaining and developing existing clients through a comprehensive and coordinated program of client care and service excellence, in five markets including Savannah, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and South Florida. She oversees approximately 300 employees, and approximately 105 million square feet – one of the largest property and facilities management portfolios in the country.
With the uncertainty of the market, maintaining client relationships has become even more important across all industries. Leigh has made that one of her priorities and has had major success retaining and obtaining clients. Through a carefully crafted program, Leigh ensures consistent communication and connectivity with clients allowing them to see the value of regional support that her Florida team provides.
Employee relationships are also critical given the challenge of retaining talent and identifying new team members to manage the growing business. Leigh does this by setting goals, not only for herself but for those who work with her. One key goal of hers has been to identify, train, and retain talent, and to break down silos and foster a culture of collaboration and camaraderie. She does this through a structured robust employee outreach program. Leigh is also passionate about mentoring and developing members of her staff in order to promote from within the organization when possible. Over her career, she has developed countless real estate professionals into property management and leadership roles.
What allows Leigh to stand out amongst her counterparts is her ability to think outside of the box which has allowed her to develop unique and innovative business strategies, ultimately growing market share. As a rising leader within Cushman & Wakefield, it is her goal to maintain recognizable business practices that will help shape the future of Commercial Property Management.
9. Lara Shuqom Gehl
SVP & Principal, The Collective at Compass
Lara Shuqom is a Co-Founder and Principal of The Collective, a top-producing team based out of Compass' Back Bay office. She co-founded the company in 2016. Compass is a real estate technology company with a powerful end-to-end platform that supports the entire buying and selling workflow. They have grown to be one of the largest real estate companies in the country with over 144,000 transactions in 2020.
Previously, Shuqom was a CEO and principal consultant at Catalyst Consulting of Boston. Prior to joining Compass, Shuqom was a member of Cushman & Wakefield’s Capital Markets Investment Sales Group. Earlier in her career she worked with Boston Homes Real Estate as a real estate agent. Shuqom earned an undergraduate degree in art history and political science from Simmons University.
11. Julia Evinger
First VP of Investments & Director of the National Office & Industrial Property Group, Marcus & Millichap
Julia Evinger began her professional career in marketing, first with the Florsheim Shoe Company, as sales promotion director, followed by a marketing manager with Wal-Mart Stores in Bentonville, AR. Julia has always had a strong interest in commercial real estate and has held a real estate license since 2002. She joined Marcus & Millichap in 2016 as an associate. She achieved success in her first year by earning a national sales award and Rookie of the Year.
Today, Julia has ascended to First Vice President of Investments and Director of the National Office and Industrial Property Group. Along the way, she has earned several additional sales achievements including the Senior Investment Advisor designation and National Achievement Award. Julia founded and leads her own investment sales team, The Evinger Group, and is ranked among the Top 20 Industrial Investment Sales brokers in the firm. She is client-centric with many long-term clients working with private individuals, private funds, and institutional investors.
Julia's clients invest across primary, secondary, and tertiary markets throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Understanding and executing her client's objectives along with her unrelenting drive have achieved sale prices, terms, and net proceeds exceeding her client's expectations.
View the complete list of awardees
12. Lori Muller
President of the US Division, EXIT Realty
Lori Muller is a visionary leader and accomplished professional who currently serves as the President of the US Organization for EXIT Realty. With a wealth of experience in the real estate industry, Lori has made a significant impact on the organization and has played a pivotal role in its growth and success. Her journey in the real estate sector began years ago when she recognized the immense potential and transformative power of the industry. Armed with an unwavering commitment to excellence and a passion for helping others achieve their goals, she embarked on a remarkable career that would ultimately lead her to the forefront of EXIT Realty. In her role, Lori has been instrumental in driving the organization's growth and shaping its strategic direction. Under her leadership, EXIT Realty has experienced unprecedented expansion and achieved remarkable milestones, cementing its position as a leader in the real estate industry.
Throughout her career, Lori has honed her expertise in all facets of real estate, from sales and marketing to strategic planning and organizational management. She possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics and possesses a keen eye for identifying emerging trends and opportunities. She is renowned for her innovative thinking and her ability to inspire and motivate teams. Her leadership style is characterized by a unique blend of empathy and assertiveness, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture within the organization. She prioritizes mentorship and professional development, empowering individuals within the real estate industry to reach their full potential and thrive in their roles.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lori is deeply committed to giving back to the community. She actively engages in philanthropic endeavors, supporting initiatives that focus on elevating women, sexual assault centers, education, affordable housing, and empowering underserved communities. Her remarkable journey in the real estate industry and her influential role as the President of the US Organization for EXIT Realty make her a true beacon of inspiration. Her dedication, expertise, and passion continue to shape the organization's trajectory, driving it toward new heights of success while making a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals in the real estate industry and beyond.
15. Anneke Greco
Executive Vice President, JLL
Anneke Greco is an Executive Vice President with JLL. Greco joined JLL’s Los Angeles office in 2013 after spending 10 years at CBRE where she focused on agency leasing in the Los Angeles market. Throughout her career, Anneke has been very successful in representing both institutional landlords and corporations, strategically positioning assets to maximize value.
Anneke and her partner currently represent 18 buildings that comprise 5.5 million square feet of office space throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. Consistently recognized as a market leader with unsurpassed market intelligence and broker/client relationships, Anneke continues to prove herself as a real estate expert. She works with a dynamic team of landlord, tenant, and investment brokers, and has participated in over two and a half million square feet of transactions in the last two years alone totaling $600M in deal consideration. Anneke graduated from the University of Southern California with an undergraduate degree in business.
17. Maria Cintron
EVP of Marketing & Developments, Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty
With more than 20 years of experience in luxury real estate sales, marketing and project management, Maria Cintron leads the in-house team of marketing professionals at Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty who produce world-class strategies, messaging, advertising, communications and collateral. Maria also works directly with the brokerage's agents, strategizing and developing custom marketing plans for their businesses and their properties.
Maria served for seven years as the co-founder, COO and ViP of sales and marketing for a firm dedicated to developing luxury second-home residences in resorts in Mexico. The firm’s signature project was a 54-home development in Punta Mita, Mexico. Prior to that, she was CEO and co-founder for CLB, a firm that specialized in providing management, marketing and government-affairs solutions to clients interested in expanding their markets and investments in Mexico and Central America.
As a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Maria has served as a long-standing member of its Latin American and Caribbean Advisory Councils. She is the past president and founder of the Mexico City chapter of the Young Entrepreneur’s Organization and served as the organization’s international president from 2000 to 2001, after being an active member of the organization’s board for seven years. In 2010, Maria was elected as a member of the board of trustees of the Alcuin School in Dallas, one of the top Montessori and International Baccalaureate programs in the US. In 2015, she was named president of the board for a four-year term and was instrumental in the school’s $20M capital campaign.
18. Valerie Richardson
Chief Operating Officer, ICSC
Valerie Richardson, CRX, CLS, is a proven business strategist with over 40 years of experience in retail real estate. Richardson is currently the Chief Operating Officer of ICSC, the professional trade association serving the marketplace industry. Over her career, she worked for brands such as Trammell Crow Company, Ann Taylor, Barnes & Noble and most recently, The Container Store, where she led the real estate team for over 20 years. An active industry participant and advocate, Richardson was elected chairman of the ICSC for the 2018-2019 term, after having served on that 50,000+ member organization’s board of trustees since 2004. She is the first ICSC Chairman to come to the post from an active retail company.
She also serves on the board of directors for Kimco Realty Corp., one of North America’s largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers, serving on its Nominating and Governance, Audit, and Executive Compensation Committees. Richardson graduated from the University of North Texas with an MBA and from Texas State University with an undergraduate degree in education.
19. Maura Flanagan
Vice President, CBRE
Maura Flanagan is a Vice President within CBRE's Advisory & Transaction Services practice in Chicago. In this role, Maura works with clients to develop and implement one-off and portfolio-level initiatives across various industries, focusing on project planning, analytics, and process management. Her professional experience ranges from multi-market office leases to large, strategic corporate headquarters transactions. Maura’s responsibilities include developing real estate strategies and creating complex financial models to analyze each transaction and help convey the true impact of real estate decisions on a company’s bottom line.
Prior to joining CBRE in 2015, Maura spent five years at JLL where she worked as a lead transaction manager for Procter & Gamble's North America portfolio for both office and warehouse transactions. She earned her undergraduate degree from Marquette University with a double major in finance and real estate.
21. Gabrielle Witkin
Vice President, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
The Washington, DC Metro Area has been Gabrielle Witkin’s home for nearly 15 years, and she has learned the area inside and out living in Brookland, Petworth, Arlington, Logan Circle, Capitol Hill, and now resides back in Arlington. A former military brat, she understands what it is like to relocate. Her refreshingly grounded approach is centered around empowering her clients through real estate transactions to help navigate pivotal milestones in their life journeys – marriage, a growing family, the big move after a promotion, empowering a retirement dream, or moving closer to spoil grandchildren. Gabrielle’s relentless drive is fueled by her passion for learning about each of her customers’ unique dreams and ambitions and the joy that comes in aiding them to realize that next exciting step.
Employing disciplines developed over years as a management consultant for a top-five global firm, Gabrielle provides her clients with innovative, data-driven approaches throughout the listing and buying processes. This allows them to gauge market conditions, refine objectives, have realistic expectations, and make effective, informed decisions that recognize valuable opportunities.
When she isn’t working, you can find Gabrielle at the playground with her daughter, volunteering in her community, enjoying wine, cocktails, or good food at a local restaurant, traveling with her husband, Barrett, or hosting friends in her home in Arlington.
View the complete list of awardees
23. Tricia Brouwers
Area Manager & SVP, Wintrust Mortgage
“Helping other people everywhere” is a motto that Tricia Brouwers lives her live by. Brouwers is an international speaker and certified ambassador for the best-selling book, The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. In the last 5 years she has delivered messages from this book to over 10,000 professionals in large- and small-scale events. The book was written to help individuals focus on the simple truths of obtaining extraordinary results in every area of their lives, work, personal, family and spiritual. As a beautiful compliment to her work in The ONE Thing, she most recently became a Certified Guide for Exactly What to Say by Phil M Jones to empower others through the power of their words. A Certified Life Coach holding multiple coaching credentials, coupled with her personal and professional life has led her on a journey speaking to and motivating audiences of 1 to 25,000.
With 30 years of corporate experience, Brouwers, the Senior Vice President and Area Manager at Wintrust Mortgage, is a veteran in mortgages, sales and executive management and leads a billion-dollar production team. She has built a brilliant platform of coaching real estate professionals to achieve greater productivity creating the “win win” for them and her team. She has also been a longtime advocate for autism. Involved with Autism Speaks since its inception in 2005 she served as chairman of the board in Chicago and is currently serving as an advisory board member. Brouwers has spoken to various audiences including television and radio on Autism related topics. She has conducted educational symposiums to increase education and awareness. Additionally, Brouwers is the founder of HOPE GROVE, which is a private apple orchard she created as a vocational solution for her adult son with autism. Her hope is to expand the orchard to other people impacted by autism and to provide a sense of purpose and community to them. Through all her commitments, Brouwers continues to live out her passion to positively impact the lives of others personally and professionally.
24. Linda Booker
EVP & Chief Financial Officer, Core5 Industrial Partners
As Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Linda Booker oversees the Core5 Industrial Partners assets and is responsible for the development and overall command of the company’s financial operations, including accounting, treasury, and finance functions. As a founding partner, she plays a lead role in the company’s financial planning and forecasting and works closely with executives from Core5’s Japanese parent company, Kajima, to ensure the company’s financial strength. She also maintains relationships with investors and key stakeholders.
In 2019 Linda was named a Woman of Influence by RE Forum for the second time in her career, an award that honors outstanding women in commercial real estate. The Atlanta Business Chronicle named her CFO of the Year for her invaluable contribution to the success of her employer as well as the communities the company served. Atlanta Woman magazine chose Linda as one of 20 Women on the Way in recognition of her career accomplishments and community involvement. A devoted community volunteer, Linda currently serves on the board of directors and performs an officer role as treasurer of 3Keys, and also serves on the grant committee for Ribbons of Hope. Her past volunteer efforts with the greater Atlanta community include appointments with the Atlanta Children’s Shelter. She has also held positions with Haygood Memorial United Methodist Church. A graduating member of Leadership Buckhead, Linda previously served as the treasurer of the board of directors.
Linda holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Mississippi. She is a Certified Public Accountant and was the Gold Key Award Winner for receiving the highest grade in the state of Georgia the year she took the certification exam. Linda stays actively involved in her industry through memberships in the Urban Land Institute Capital Markets Council, Commercial Real Estate Women, the American Institute of CPAs, the Georgia Society of CPAs, and the Real Estate Investment Advisory Council. A former member of the National Association of Real Estate Companies, she served a post as president. Her past experience includes a 19-year term with Kajima’s former industrial company, IDI, where she served as EVP & CFO. Prior to joining IDI, she was a manager in MetLife’s Real Estate Investments Group. She started her career as an auditor for KPMG Peat Marwick.
25. Isabelle Owens
Executive Vice President, Owens Realty Services
Isabelle Owens joined Owens Realty Services in 2018 as the VP of global communications & marketing. She comes with a history of successful digital marketing campaigns & communications strategies.
Isabelle started her career in Manhattan, where she developed her skills under the mentorships of a $60B corporation to design, manufacture, and distribute luxury goods headquartered in the United Kingdom. Since her onboarding, the company has seen a 66% increase in overall revenue growth and has undergone a corporate-wide rebranding. As a skilled communicator, Isabelle has led client relations initiatives, corporate training, and facility accreditation projects.
Isabelle received her undergraduate degree in marketing from Fordham University. She holds real estate licenses in New York, Florida, and Connecticut. Isabelle serves on AdventHealth’s Champion for the Children’s Board and the Victim Service Center Young Professionals.
26. Kathy Sawin
Executive Vice President, Metro Commercial
Kathy Sawin has been involved in the master planning, merchandising, and leasing of iconic retail projects for the past four decades. Her focus is on the curated mix of national and local specialty retailers anchored by destination restaurants and innovative fast casual food concepts for such retail icons as Union Station (DC), Gallery Place (DC), Grand Central Terminal (NYC), the University of Pennsylvania retail district, and the original redevelopment of Suburban Square (Ardmore PA) from 1977-2000. As a principal with Stanbery Development in the early 2000's, Kathy led the leasing of ground-up lifestyle centers. As an EVP with Metro Commercial, she is currently working on the retail leasing of mixed-use developments including Ellis Preserve Town Center (PA) for Equus Capital Partners and Promenade at Upper Dublin (PA) for BET Investments.
28. Candice Burney
Chief Operating Officer, Ray Stone Incorporated
Candice Burney is the Chief Operating Officer and joined the Ray Stone Inc. team in February of 2023. For over two decades, Burney has held a variety of leadership positions in the property management industry from smaller multifamily companies to tech-enabled and publicly traded organizations. Her well-rounded experience in leasing, selling residential real estate, managing multiple multifamily communities, and knowledge of standard operating procedures, provides her with a solid understanding of the Ray Stone Inc. portfolio.
In 2019, Burney earned her PhD in industrial-organizational psychology, focusing on applying research to increasing workplace productivity, employee selection, work-life balance, emotional intelligence, and helping with organizational growth. Besides her experience and accomplishments, Burney is known for her energetic and caring approach to leadership, making her an excellent match for Ray Stone Inc.’s mission, culture, and collaborative approach to management.
29. Jennifer Sutter
EVP, Acento Real Estate Partners
Jennifer (Casey) Sutter is a dynamic property management leader who joined Acento in 2022 as Executive Vice President with a focus on support and expansion of the organization. With a career spanning more than 25 years, she has managed more than 30,000 diverse unit types, both conventional and tax credit, under owner and third-party management.
Jennifer's true passion lies in revitalizing and rehabilitating distressed assets, focusing on community enrichment and empowerment. As an honored recipient of the Property Management Association Stanley F. Reid Humanitarian of the Year Award and Carol Worley Distinguished Service Award, she is proud to be part of shaping the industry's landscape through impact. Prior to Acento, she held leadership roles at respected firms such as Donaldson, Harbor Group, and Fairfield in asset management, property management, and operations.
Jennifer is a speaker and trainer who holds her Accredited Residential Manager designation through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), is a licensed property manager in the District of Columbia, and is national compliance professional certified. She is a member of both IREM and the Property Management Association (PMA) of Maryland, where she has loyally served as a committee member and co-chair.
31. Stephanie Graves
Co-Founder, Q10 Property Advisors
Stephanie Graves is a business owner, speaker, motivator, and multifamily professional. She is not only a dynamic speaker who has been entrenched in the multifamily industry for years but offers advice, education, and management services on a national level. She co-founded Q10 Property Advisors in 2015, a multifamily property management and consulting firm.
Graves has tackled all levels of assets from new construction to property-based section 8 to properties that many would think twice about operating. She offers her expertise in property marketing and operations and offers a wide spectrum of insight into the multifamily world. She earned an undergraduate degree in communication, holds the CAPS, CAM, and IROP designations and has completed Advanced Instructor Training for the National Apartment Association. Graves has held titles from operations specialist to SVP of operations.
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33. Courtney Schnee
SVP of Asset Management, Northwood Ravin
Courtney Schnee is an accomplished real estate professional and joined NWR in 2015 as a regional property manager. Since joining, Schnee has brought NWR 15 assets to stabilization, and supported 18 refinances resulting in +$1B in loan proceeds. Currently overseeing a portfolio valued at +$3B and the Asset Management division, her focus is assuring the effective deployment of Northwood Ravin’s financials and human capital as they impact the financial performance at the asset and portfolio levels. Developing measurement tools that identify meaningful performance distinctions and using those to make recommendations for action leading to improved performance are key objectives. Schnee’s responsibilities also include providing analysis and data in support of the company’s development, financing, acquisition, and disposition activities. In her role at NWR, she brings passion and focus to developing team members’ analytical, financial, management, and leadership skills.
Schnee’s professional history includes both residential and commercial property management as well as development and operation experience in both new construction and historic tax credit projects. Prior to Schnee’s arrival at NWR, she worked throughout the mid-Atlantic and southeast on both fee-managed and owner-operated portfolios with groups including Lincoln Property Company, Westdale Asset Management, Greystar, and Capitol Broadcasting Company’s real estate division. In a volunteer capacity, Schnee has also served as a director on multiple apartment association boards as well as advisory and finance councils.
34. Kathryn Scarborough
President - Austin, Engel & Völkers Austin
Kathryn Scarborough is a fifth-generation Austinite and has been crafting a bespoke living experience in Austin for over 22 years with close to one and a half billion in sales. Kathryn is one of Austin's top luxury agents and has been recognized as the #1 Real Estate Agent city-wide by the Austin Business Journal in years past and consistently ranks in the top tier. She has achieved a reputation in Austin for providing quality service based on integrity, knowledge, and professionalism. Under the mentorship of her mother, Michele Turnquist, Kathryn was taught every aspect of the real estate industry. Kathryn's philosophy, as is her mother's, is "knowledge is power." In addition to being the company's Top Producer from 2004 to the present, she also set a record for the highest record sale in Austin’s history, selling a Lake Austin home listed for $38.9M.
Kathryn was appointed President of Engel & Völkers Austin in 2015 when her family firm merged with the global brand and is recognized as being in the Top 1% of Texas Realtors® (number 16 state-wide). Kathryn is a recipient of the DuPont Registry Top Luxury Real Estate Professional Award and is a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. She has also been a distinguished member of the Million Dollar Guild, Realm, Luxury League, and Austin's Elite 25 for the last decade. She was recently inducted into the top tier of the world's Realtors through Private Office, which is an exclusive hand-selected group of 31 advisors in all of North America, that represent over $2B in sales annually in the most sought-after and desirable markets in the country.
Along with a busy career in real estate and raising her three children, Kathryn also finds time for philanthropy. She serves on several nonprofit boards and has chaired committees for the Austin Children's Shelter for the last decade. She is also a board member of The Capital Campaign for Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, Dell Women's Trust, Women of Hope, and The Texas Realty Advisory Board, and has served on the Austin Board of Realtors Grievance Committee.
35. Diana Pittro
Executive Vice President, RMK Management
Diana Pittro began her professional career 41 years ago. Today she is the Executive Vice President of RMK Management. RMK Management is a Chicago-based real estate company that proudly manages 27 rental properties, totaling over 6,000 units throughout the Midwest.
Pittro began her career in a regional sales and marketing position with Robert Sheridan & Partners before moving on to Draper & Kramer, Inc., where she served as a VP dealing in third-party management and was in charge of renovated and new construction properties. She then moved on to become a VP at The Habitat Company supervising high-rise buildings in the Chicago area, including Presidential Towers. In addition to her current roles, she also serves as a president for the National Apartment Association Education Institute and on the advisory board for Rasmussen Colleges. Pittro graduated from California State University - Fullerton.
36. Vendy Chan
Vice President of Strategic Growth, Century 21 Real Estate Alliance Group
Vendy Chan is the Vice President of Strategic Growth of Century 21 Real Estate Alliance Group. She is a dedicated real estate professional serving the Silicon Valley/Bay Area for over two decades. Her passion for real estate is backed by her background with an undergraduate degree in geography and an MBA concentrated in marketing. Vendy has extensive knowledge of the Bay Area and has developed proven strategies to achieve the best results for both buyers and sellers.
A consistently recognized top producer, Vendy has received numerous referrals from satisfied clients. Honesty and integrity are crucial in all her business transactions. She always exceeds her client's expectations by delivering to them extraordinary service with her strong belief in clients first. Vendy is a powerful and persuasive negotiator whom buyers and sellers can trust in today's challenging negotiating process. Fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Cantonese, Vendy is a multi-lingual realtor who excels in this culturally diverse real estate market.
38. Laura Brady
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Concierge Auctions
As the Founder and CEO of international luxury real estate auction firm Concierge Auctions, Laura Brady is responsible for leading the company and its aggressive growth. In ten years, she's driven the firm to over $2B in sales and placement on Inc. Magazine’s list of the fastest-growing companies in America for six years in a row.
Laura’s knowledge of high-net-worth clientele and her insight into the luxury real estate market has led her to be profiled by Fox News, CNBC, Bloomberg, the Today Show, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times, among others. She's been named One of the 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate by Inman News for the past three years and One of 25 Women to Watch in Global Luxury by Luxury Daily.
While Laura has a keen eye for branding and design, she is also a numbers wiz. These dueling traits led the Neiman Marcus Group to select her as a top corporate recruit from the University of Texas at Austin when she was only 20 years old. But inevitably, a lifelong love of real estate drew her in. After a quick stint of rising to be one of the top-selling luxury agents in the country, Laura was one of few who foresaw the pending market decline and wasn't afraid to take action. She founded Concierge Auctions and has been revolutionizing the industry since.
39. Lacy Beasley
President, Retail Strategies
Lacy Beasley is the President of Retail Strategies, a full-service advisory firm that works with municipalities on retail and restaurant business recruitment through commercial real estate connections. She serves on the board of trustees for ICSC, the largest not-for-profit membership-based retail commercial real estate industry organization. She also serves on the ULI Alabama Leadership Team.
The recipient of numerous awards, the Birmingham Business Journal has named Lacy nationwide Top 100 National Influencers in Commercial Real Estate, Top 40 under 40 for the Decade, one of Birmingham’s Eight Emerging Influencers, Who’s Who of Commercial Real Estate, and Women to Watch.
Lacy has spoken on retail trends and best practices in retail recruitment at hundreds of events across the US and Canada. Her articles have been published in Shopping Centers Today, Site Selection Magazine, and the Alabama Retail Federation. A graduate of Lipscomb University, she earned her undergraduate degree in business management.
40. Jocelyn Vas
Senior Vice President of Sales, Final Offer
Passionate about driving innovation in the real estate industry, Jocelyn Vas proudly serves as the Senior Vice President of Sales at Final Offer. Final Offer is a consumer-facing cutting-edge technology platform with real-time offer alerts, transparency, a buy-it-now option, dedicated to revolutionizing the way offer management and negotiations are done. With a proven track record in sales leadership and a deep understanding of the evolving real estate landscape, Jocelyn thrives on fostering connections and creating solutions that empower real estate professionals.
Jocelyn is the consummate brand champion and regularly works with agents on platform best practices. She also serves as the regular host of Final Offer's educational webinars where she advises on property-specific strategies and interviews local agents who have had success on the platform.
Jocelyn started her real estate career as a property management specialist and has been a realtor since 2009 in DC, MD, and VA, working with buyers, sellers, landlords, renters, and investors. A native Washingtonian, currently residing in Washington, DC with her husband and two little boys, Jocelyn was raised in a family of real estate attorneys and was immersed in the industry at an early age, giving her a unique advantage in market knowledge and negotiation tactics. She is a graduate of James Madison University and is also a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist.
View the complete list of awardees
41. Marie McLucas
Chief Financial Officer, Primax Properties
Marie McLucas joined Primax Properties in 1995 following a seven year career in public accounting. She currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer. Marie oversees Primax’s policies and procedures for all financial functions, including budgeting, credit/loan administration and cash management, financial reporting, tax reporting and planning, insurance and risk management, and human resources. She also is very actively involved in the company’s strategic planning.
Marie has received numerous professional awards and recognitions from organizations such as the North Carolina Association of Certified Professional Accountants, Real Estate Forum Magazine, The Mecklenburg Times, and the Charlotte Business Journal. She is a past president of CREW Charlotte and a former Foundation Board member and committee chair for the national CREW organization, among numerous of other volunteer leadership roles. Marie graduated from North Carolina State University with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
42. Joy Peters
President, Signature Property Management
Joy Peters has 30 years of industry experience in, condominium association management and multifamily property management with extensive knowledge in large-scale reserve projects, rehabilitation, property acquisitions, and development. She has experience as an expert witness in trial proceedings.
Peters received her MBA degree from Ottawa University and also holds several designations including Certified Property Manager from IREM and Certified Apartment Property Supervisor with the National Apartment Association. She is an Accredited Residential Manager and also has the M100 for Condominium Management through the Community Association Institute. Peters has been directly involved in the management of 18,000 units throughout her career and currently oversees over 8200 units in more than 70 resident communities with over 100 employees.
Joy is currently an active member of several apartment and HOA associations including the Institute of Real Estate Management and Community Association Institute. Giving back to the community is a priority for Peters as evidenced by her involvement with Ronald McDonald House, Harvesters, Catholic Charities, American Red Cross, MS, ALS, and Cystic Fibrosis Fund Raisers. She also volunteers with IREM in the Kansas City Chapter as an expert panelist when needed.
44. Connie Yoshimura
Owner & Broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alaska Realty
Connie Yoshimura, Owner and Broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alaska Realty, has over 40 years of residential real estate sales and land development experience. She represents the Anchorage, Eagle River, Chugiak, Palmer, Wasilla, and Girdwood real estate markets. She has developed such popular new home communities as Huffman Timbers, Turnagain View Estates, Potter Highlands, Sandhill Reserve, and Heritage Estates in Eagle River as well as multi-family units and condominium developments.
Connie has a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and uses her talent for writing to write popular real estate columns for the Alaska Journal of Commerce, Anchorage Daily News, and Homes by Design. She is a licensed real estate instructor in the state of Alaska.
47. Lauren Vanni Kinard
President, First Excel Title
Lauren Vanni Kinard is an accomplished professional hailing from Northern Virginia, currently serving as the President of First Excel Title. Under her leadership, the company has made significant strides, expanding its operations into the south, catering to clients in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Kinard's excellence and dedication have earned her numerous accolades. Her awards include the Class of 2021 Washington Business Journal Top 40 Under 40, three-time winner of the Stewart Title Pacesetter Award, Stewart Title Circle of Excellence Awards, Women Giving Back Golden Hanger Award, ALTA Our Values WE DELIVER individual national awards of excellence, and a 2019 Finalist for Heroines of Washington.
Beyond her professional achievements, Kinard is deeply committed to community service, having spent over a decade partnering, volunteering, and providing support to Women Giving Back. Her passion for making a difference extends to her role as the secretary on the Board of Directors for Women Giving Back and as the board president of HomeAid National Capital Region, where she made history by becoming the first woman to hold this position in 2023. With her exceptional intelligence and organizational skills, she continues to be an influential leader in her industry and community.
48. Kathy Makino-Leipsitz
Managing Partner, Shelborne Development
Kathy Makino-Leipsitz is the Managing Partner of Shelborne Development. Over the past 40 years, she has owned a historic hotel, a bar and restaurant, a travel agency, and a childcare center. Kathy’s career has focused on developing quality affordable housing creating over 2,000 apartment units in Southeastern Michigan with a special focus on preserving over 25 vacant, blighted, and historic buildings in Detroit, bringing life back to over 1,000 multi-family units within the city.
Over the years, Kathy has been recognized with several achievement awards. Her civic commitments and devotion to the redevelopment of Detroit include serving as the secretary of The Michigan Housing Council, a board member of The Heat and Warmth Fund, and a member of the Steering Committee for LOCUS/Smart Growth America. She also was appointed to the Wayne County Joint Airport Authorities Zoning Board of Appeals. Kathy is a graduate of the University of Michigan – Dearborn with an undergraduate degree in economics.
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