Windermere appoints new diversity leader as it recommits to DEI 

Editor's note: As an industry with millions of agents and over 100,000 brokerage companies, new leaders rise to the top every day. Here we highlight executives and other notable leaders who've recently taken on, or stepped away from, roles that influence the residential real estate landscape. 

Windermere hires new DEI leader

In the wake of an executive order characterizing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs as "illegal" and "radical," many private companies have scaled back or shuttered their programs. But Windermere Real Estate — one of the largest U.S. brokerages by sales volume — has gone in a different direction. 

The Seattle-based brokerage recently reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and hired Brooks Glenn to lead the company's DEI initiatives. Glenn, as director of inclusion and community engagement, fills a role that had been vacant since 2023. 

Windermere President OB Jacobi said the brokerage had been discussing ways to support its DEI goals, and "these discussions intensified in recent months as we watched companies around the country pull back from their DEI commitments."

"We feel strongly that it's important to continue our work to support and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within our company, within our industry, and within homeownership," Jacobi added.

Glenn will take a three-pronged approach to advancing those efforts, Windermere said in a news release: He will oversee the company's overall DEI goals, work with individual offices to support their strategies and programs, and collaborate with other leaders to advocate for DEI in the industry at large. Windermere's commitment to "become a driving force to promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has the potential to inspire others and change communities," Glenn said.

A longtime real estate broker and community advocate, Glenn currently serves as VP of Western Washington Realtist (the local board of NAREB) and is involved with other equity-focused organizations including the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance of Seattle and the Black Home Initiative, a project to increase homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income Black households in the greater Seattle area.

"I took this position because I recognize the historical role that real estate professionals played in perpetuating harm and systemic inequalities, particularly toward Black communities and other minority groups," Glenn said. While progress has been made, "the work is far from over," he said.

On its website, Windermere lays out the four pillars underpinning its DEI efforts — community, homeownership, leadership and culture. 

"Building a stronger organization," Windermere writes, "takes more than recruiting diverse talent. Leadership must pave the way in building an inclusive culture that inspires people to stay and thrive. Our senior management team recognizes how critical it is to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion for the success of our company, communities, and future homeowners."

BHGRE elevates regional sales exec to SVP

Chris Nichols, a regional VP of franchise sales at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate for the past 10 years, has been promoted to senior vice president of the division, the company announced this week.

He will be tasked with bringing the brand to new markets as well as helping existing affiliates grow — something Nichols has been doing successfully for a decade, just on a slightly smaller scale. Nichols began his real estate career in 2004, working as an agent and eventually becoming managing broker of a large Utah firm. He has also served as president of his local and state associations and held positions on several NAR committees. 

"Over the past decade, Chris has been an invaluable asset to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. He has consistently developed our sales team's talent and fostered a collaborative environment," Ginger Wilcox, BHGRE president, said in a news release. "His forward-thinking approach will enable us to explore new markets and help ensure sustainable growth for our brand and affiliates," Wilcox added. 

"I can't thank Ginger Wilcox enough for trusting me to lead Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate franchise sales efforts as the new Senior Vice President," Nichols wrote on LinkedIn. "It's been an honor to work in this brand for almost 10 years and I'm excited for what's next."