From a 12-office Chicago merger to a new CFO at the nation’s largest VA lender, real estate’s leadership landscape continues to evolve. Brokerages, associations and MLSs named new executives, combined operations and added teams across the country over the past few weeks.
Here are the details:
Women’s Council of Realtors
Tripti Kasal
Women’s Council of Realtors has named Tripti Kasal as Chief Executive Officer of the 9,000-member organization, according to the group.
Kasal spent 10 years in senior leadership at Baird & Warner, most recently as senior vice president and regional manager for the Chicago metropolitan area, before serving as senior vice president of member engagement for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the organization said.
Earlier in her career, she helped grow the Chicago operation of an internet-based residential brokerage from five to more than 40 agents in under a year and later owned a boutique brokerage in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, according to the Women’s Council.
Women represent 62 percent of Realtors nationwide but remain underrepresented in executive roles, the organization said. As CEO, Kasal will focus on expanding membership and leadership education, growing participation in the group’s Performance Management Network designation and building the business value of its referral network, according to Women’s Council.
“Real estate needs well-prepared leaders who can build consensus, make difficult decisions, advocate effectively and guide organizations through profound change,” Women’s Council National President Cheryl Keller said in a statement.
North Texas Real Estate Information Systems
Joey Bandemer
North Texas Real Estate Information Systems (NTREIS) has named Joey Bandemer vice president of data governance and customer experience, the MLS announced. Bandemer previously served as director of compliance and policy at Bright MLS and director of local association services at Florida Realtors, and began her MLS career at REcolorado, according to NTREIS.
The hire follows a series of changes at NTREIS since Chris Carrillo became CEO in June 2025, including a new data-sharing agreement with HAR and the launch of NTREIS Rewards, a broker incentive program that distributed a seven-figure payout to brokers who contributed listing data in 2025, the MLS said.
NTREIS’s board and shareholders also voted to bring compliance in-house for the first time, replacing a model that distributed the responsibility across 13 member associations, according to the organization. In her new role, Bandemer will oversee policy development, data licensing and the transition to direct compliance management across NTREIS’s 44-county service area, with a soft rollout planned for the fourth quarter of 2026, the MLS said.
“The MLS industry is being asked to prove its value in a way it has never had to before,” NTREIS CEO Chris Carrillo said in a statement.
Sotheby’s International Realty
Nancy Kogevinas
The Kogevinas Group, a seven-member team led by Nancy Kogevinas, has joined Sotheby’s International Realty’s Montecito brokerage, according to Sotheby’s International Realty, part of Compass International Holdings. The team closed $265.5 million in sales volume in 2025 and has more than $2.6 billion in career sales volume, the company said.
Separately, Sotheby’s International Realty acquired Majestic Realty Collective, an organization operating eight Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates across Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Idaho and California, the company announced. Financial terms were not disclosed. Majestic Realty Collective’s current leadership, including Scott Webber and Thomas Wright, will continue running the organization, according to the release.
Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California
Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California has launched a New Development Division led by executive directors Tomer Fridman, Don Heller, Amir Ensani and Aaron Kirman, the firm announced. The four brokers have a combined sales volume exceeding $33 billion, according to the company. The division has secured exclusive California marketing rights to Burj Azizi, a Dubai tower set to become the world’s second-tallest building.
Signature Premier Properties
Michael Furino
Michael Furino and his five-member team have joined Signature Premier Properties’ Roslyn office, according to the brokerage. Furino’s team recorded more than $52 million in sold and pending sales volume in 2025, the company said. Furino has been recognized as a top 100 real estate agent on Long Island and a top 1 percent Realtor nationwide, according to Signature Premier Properties, and his team will focus on North Shore communities, including Roslyn, Port Washington, Manhasset and Great Neck.
The Roslyn office, Signature Premier Properties’ 23rd location, opened recently as part of the brokerage’s continued expansion across Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens, the company said.
“His reputation for excellence, professionalism and results speaks for itself,” Roslyn Office Manager Miriam Hagendorn said in a statement.
Century 21 Circle
Sara Valko
Century 21 Circle has named Sara Valko director of marketing and brand strategy, according to the brokerage. Valko previously led enterprise brand marketing and media strategy at CDW and will oversee integrated marketing, brand development and agent engagement across the company’s Illinois, Indiana, Florida and Michigan footprint, the brokerage said.
“Sara’s appointment reflects the caliber of leadership we are building at Century 21 Circle as we enter our next chapter of growth,” CEO Melissa Archer-Wirtz said in a statement.
HomeSmart
HomeSmart has entered a strategic partnership with Rockstar Connect, a networking event platform led by founder Steven David Elliot, according to the brokerage. The initiative will launch in North Carolina, where HomeSmart recently named Aaron Peeler broker-in-charge, and aims to expand agent networking events across the brokerage’s nationwide footprint, the company said. Elliot also plans to build a team within HomeSmart operating under the brand’s 100 percent commission model.
“Real estate is still a relationship business,” Elliot said in a social media post. “Technology matters. Systems matter. But people grow through trust, connection and meaningful in-person relationships.”
REMAX Suburban and REMAX All Pro
REMAX Suburban and REMAX All Pro have combined operations under the ownership of Tom Hatzis, forming a 12-office network across suburban Chicago with more than 240 agents, according to the companies. Hatzis, who will serve as president of the combined organization, previously worked in commercial banking with experience in real estate finance.
“The two companies have exceptionally strong agents, similar cultures of excellence and a shared commitment to serving their communities,” Hatzis said in a statement.
Veterans United Home Loans
Nicole Galloway
Veterans United Home Loans has named Nicole Galloway Chief Financial Officer, the company announced. Galloway, a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner, will report to Chief Operating Officer Kelley Frink and oversee the company’s financial operations and long-term financial planning, according to Veterans United.
Galloway previously served as Missouri state auditor from 2015 to 2023 and most recently was CFO of Permanent Equity, a private equity firm based in Columbia, Missouri, the company said. She also served as Boone County treasurer from 2011 to 2015, where she managed a $100 million investment portfolio, and earlier held auditing and actuarial roles at Brown Smith Wallace, Allstate Insurance and Shelter Insurance, according to Veterans United.
“Nicole brings deep financial expertise and a strong track record of accountability,” Veterans United CEO Nate Long said in a statement.
SERHANT.
Jason Wright
Luxury real estate advisor Jason Wright has joined SERHANT. with his team, expanding the firm’s presence across Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and South Orange County, California, according to SERHANT.
Wright previously worked with The Tim Smith Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker, where he was named top-producing agent in 2025, the company said. He brings $18 million in pending transactions and more than $100 million in active and coming-soon inventory to the firm, according to SERHANT.
Baird & Warner
Jeanette Cutler
Baird & Warner has named Jeanette Cutler Chief Marketing Officer, according to the brokerage. Cutler will lead the company’s marketing, brand and communications strategy and previously served as global vice president of brand and capability at Beam Suntory, the company said.
The appointment follows two other leadership moves at Baird & Warner in May, when the company named sixth-generation family member Lucy Baird chief stewardship officer and vice chair of the board and elevated Laura Ellis to chief revenue officer, according to the brokerage.
“Jeanette is an accomplished marketing leader with expertise in brand strategy, communications and operations that will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow and innovate,” Baird & Warner President and CEO Steve Baird said in a statement.
CoStar Group
Robin Rossmann
CoStar Group has promoted Robin Rossmann to Chief Financial Officer, effective July 31, succeeding Christian Lown, who is stepping down to pursue an opportunity outside the industry, according to CoStar Group. Rossmann currently serves as the company’s managing director for Europe and will report to founder and CEO Andy Florance, the company said.
Over the past two years, Rossmann reduced CoStar Group’s European cost structure by 25 percent while delivering double-digit revenue growth and launching CoStar in France, according to the company. He joined STR in 2016 and became part of CoStar Group through its 2019 acquisition of STR, and previously spent 13 years at Deloitte advising real estate and hospitality companies, the company said.
“Robin is a rare executive who combines deep financial expertise with proven operating leadership and a demonstrated ability to dramatically reduce costs while accelerating growth,” Florance said in a statement.
