Compass CEO tops list of real estate’s most powerful leaders
Robert Reffkin has been outspoken and growth-focused, landing at No. 1 on the 2025 SP 200. At No. 2? Another disruptor-turned-dominator, eXp’s Glenn Sanford.
Key points:
- eXp made a strong showing in the Swanepoel Power 200 rankings — and so did companies it has inspired, like Real and LPT.
- Of the top 10 leaders, two are from Anywhere and two are from Keller Williams.
- NAR President Kevin Sears is one of 40 newcomers to the list of residential real estate’s most influential leaders.
Robert Reffkin has emerged as a forceful voice in the contentious industry debate over private listings and Clear Cooperation, but the past year has been about much more than talk.
In 2024, Compass moved to acquire @properties and Christies International Real Estate, as well as Latter & Blum and Parks Realty — while increasing agent count, decreasing losses and maintaining its position as the nation's largest brokerage in terms of sales.
And Reffkin sees that as a winning strategy. "Whether you have a bearish or bullish view on the housing market, we believe we are building a company that succeeds in any scenario," he told investors in October.
That's why Reffkin has taken the top spot in the newly released Swanepoel Power 200, an annual ranking of the most influential leaders in residential real estate published by T3 Sixty.
"Robert's vision, resilience and strategic leadership has positioned him as a significant leader, and Compass' enormous impact on the industry cannot be overstated," said Jack Miller, president and CEO of T3 Sixty.
A big year for eXp — and those it has inspired
The No. 2 spot in the SP 200 goes to another disruptor-turned-dominator: eXp World Holdings Founder and CEO Glenn Sanford.
"For more than a decade, Glenn has redefined what is possible with an online brokerage model, driving growth and profitability while fostering innovation and collaboration," Miller said.
Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp Realty, came in at No. 16, a 43-spot rise reflecting his promotion in April and his increasing influence.
Since eXp shook off the doubters and emerged in 2009, its cloud-based brokerage model and downline approach to revenue sharing have taken hold in the industry, attracting agents and inspiring competition — a paradigm shift Sanford acknowledged at the T3 Sixty Leadership Summit in April.
"You only need one company to change an industry," he told the crowd. "Now there are four or five significant copycats to our model."
One of eXp's most notable rivals, Real, has two leaders in the upper echelon of the SP 200: Co-Founder and CEO Tamir Poleg at No. 20, and President Sharran Srivatsaa at No. 30 — an 87-spot leap for Srivatsaa, who, like Real itself, has had a remarkable year.
Robert Palmer, owner and founder of LPT, another cloud-based brokerage on the rise, moved up 103 spots to No. 68. It was a leap exceeded only by that of Nykia Wright, who moved up 124 spots to No. 34. Wright became NAR's CEO in August 2024 after spending nine consequential months in the position on an interim basis.
The top 10, and more takeaways from the 2025 rankings
In addition to Reffkin and Sanford, this year's top 10 features some familiar industry faces, including power duos from Anywhere and Keller Williams. Here they are in order, starting at No. 3:
Ryan Schneider, Anywhere CEO (and last year's No. 1)
Gary Keller, Keller Williams co-founder and executive chair
Gino Blefari, HomeServices of America president and CEO
Rich Barton, Zillow co-founder and executive chair, who completed his second turn as CEO in August 2024
Andy Florance, CoStar Group CEO
Sue Yannaccone, president and CEO of Anywhere Brands, and once again the top-ranked woman on the list
Hoby Hanna, CEO of Howard Hanna Real Estate, the nation's largest family-owned brokerage
Mark Willis, Keller Williams CEO, who reclaimed the role after a seven-year hiatus from the company
NAR President Kevin Sears is one of 40 newcomers to the rankings, coming in at No. 17.
Top MLS CEOs Art Carter (CRMLS) and Brian Donnellan (Bright MLS) were the highest-ranking MLS leaders, coming in at No. 18 and No. 19, respectively.
This year's SP 200 includes 126 brokerage leaders, 31 MLS or Realtor association leaders, and 31 tech execs. There are 57 women on the list, three more than last year.
"The 2025 SP 200 highlights the evolving leadership necessary to navigate the shifting landscape of the residential real estate industry," said Stefan Swanepoel, executive chairman of T3 Sixty. "Leaders like Robert and Glenn as well as many other newer brands and their leaders affirm this broader trend of innovation and change."
(Note: Real Estate News and T3 Sixty were both founded by Stefan Swanepoel.)