These are the 17 Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders in the Market; Find Out Why

When we walk through a vibrant neighborhood, we rarely think about the people who made it possible. We see brick and mortar, but miss the people behind the project. True leadership is about understanding how people want to live. The most impactful real estate leaders recognize that every building is a backdrop for someone’s life story.

True leaders focus on the human experience, ensuring comfort comes before quick profits. By prioritizing people, they change structures into environments and houses into homes. The real estate industry has seen many such leaders; here are 17 of them.

The 17 Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders You Must Know About

Here are 17 leaders from 3 continents who have dominated the real estate industry in 2026. We have ranked them by their company’s revenue.

This list will take you to North America, Asia, and Europe to find the top entrepreneurs of the real estate industry. Here’s what you need to know:

Do You Know The Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders of North America?

Here are 8 real estate leaders who have changed the game across North America. This is what you need to know about them:

1. Chris Kelly

• Company: HomeServices of America
• Revenue: $140B+ sales volume

Chris Kelly serves as the CEO of HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. He manages a massive network of thousands of agents across the country. Chris focuses on making homeownership accessible and sustainable for everyone. He believes that personal circumstances, not just interest rates, should drive housing decisions. His steady presence and clear communication help families navigate complex financial choices with confidence and ease.

2. Hoby Hanna

• Company: Hanna Holdings
• Revenue: $10B+ volume

Hoby Hanna leads Howard Hanna Real Estate Services as its third-generation President and CEO. He grew up in the family business and knows the ins and outs of the industry. Hoby prioritizes the local community by keeping listings personal and controlled. He advocates for a “people-first” marketing strategy that values the relationship between the agent and the seller. His approachable style has turned a family firm into a national powerhouse.

3. Glenn Sanford

• Company: eXp World Holdings
• Revenue: $5.7B gross revenue

As the founder of eXp World Holdings, Glenn Sanford changed the way agents work by creating a virtual brokerage model. He is one of the most impactful real estate leaders because he removed the physical barriers of traditional offices. Glenn uses technology to empower agents to build their own wealth through equity and collaboration. His vision focuses on giving people the freedom to succeed from anywhere in the world.

4. Ryan Schneider

• Company: Anywhere Real Estate
• Revenue: ~$5B (pre-merger)

Ryan Schneider is the CEO and President of Anywhere Real Estate, the parent company of brands like Coldwell Banker and Sotheby’s. With a background in economics, he brings a sharp, analytical mind to the housing market. Ryan is known for his resilience and his commitment to ethics and integrity. He works hard to simplify the moving process, ensuring that the dream of owning a home stays within reach for more people.

5. Varun Krishna

• Company: Rocket Companies
• Revenue: $4.5B+

Varun Krishna joined Rocket Companies as CEO, bringing a fresh fintech perspective to the mortgage world. He previously held leadership roles at Intuit and PayPal, where he mastered digital consumer tools. Varun focuses on making the financial side of buying a home as seamless as possible. He uses innovation to solve real problems for everyday people, aiming to turn a stressful process into a simple, tech-supported journey.

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6. Andrew Florance

• Company: CoStar Group
• Revenue: $2.7B+

Andrew Florance founded CoStar Group in his dorm room and transformed it into a global data giant. He pioneered the idea of using high-quality research to help people make smarter property decisions. Andrew is known for his drive and belief in the power of physical collaboration. He advocates for teams working together in person to spark real innovation. His career shows that consistent, detail-oriented work can turn a small startup into an essential industry resource.

7. Jeremy Wacksman

• Company: Zillow Group
• Revenue: ~$2.3B (trailing)

Jeremy Wacksman recently stepped into the role of CEO at Zillow Group after years of leading its product and marketing teams. He focuses deeply on the “super app” vision, aiming to make moving house as simple as a few taps on a screen. Jeremy brings a humble, curious energy to his leadership, always looking for ways to solve real problems for renters and buyers. He believes in listening to customers and using their feedback to build tools that truly matter.

8. Robert Reffkin

• Company: Compass
• Revenue: $1.85B 

Robert Reffkin co-founded Compass with a mission to support real estate agents. He is named among the most influential real estate leaders in the industry. He blends high-tech tools with a heartfelt focus on community and mentorship. Robert’s background in finance reflects his disciplined yet optimistic approach to life. He encourages everyone to “collaborate without ego” to create a more supportive world for everyone.

These 6 are the Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders in Asia

Now, we move on to the Asian continent, and here are the six who are ruling the industry:

9. Mohamed Alabbar

• Company: Emaar Properties
• Revenue: $9.7B

Mohamed Alabbar is the founder of Emaar Properties and the visionary behind the Burj Khalifa. He started his career in banking before turning his attention to building modern cities. Mohamed is known for his bold ambition and his refined taste in architecture and fashion. He focuses on creating vibrant lifestyle hubs that combine luxury with everyday functionality. His work has successfully placed Dubai on the global map as a center for world-class living.

10. Omar Al Futtaim

• Company: Al-Futtaim Real Estate
• Revenue: $7B+

Omar Al Futtaim serves as the Vice Chairman and CEO of the Al-Futtaim Group. He oversees a vast portfolio that includes automotive, retail, and major real estate projects like Dubai Festival City. Omar spent his early career in investment banking at Morgan Stanley, gaining a sharp eye for global markets. He prioritizes long-term stability and excellence in every venture. His leadership ensures that the family legacy continues to provide high-quality spaces and services for millions.

11. Talal Al Dhiyebi

• Company: Aldar Properties
• Revenue: $6.3B

Talal Al Dhiyebi is the Group CEO of Aldar Properties and has spent his entire career helping Abu Dhabi grow. His addition to the list of impactful real estate leaders is due to his deep commitment to sustainability. Talal focuses on building inclusive communities and expanding his company’s reach into new international markets. His calm and strategic approach has turned Aldar into a regional leader in environmentally conscious development.

12 Hussain Sajwani

• Company: DAMAC Properties
• Revenue: ~$2.8B

Hussain Sajwani founded DAMAC Properties and pioneered the luxury real estate market in the Middle East. He began with a small catering business and grew it into a global property empire through sheer persistence. Hussain is famous for his collaborations with iconic brands such as Versace and Fendi to create stunning, fashion-forward homes. He believes in the power of hard work and uses his success to support education and humanitarian causes across the region.

13. Rajat Kathuria

• Company: Signature Global
• Revenue: ~$1B+ (post-IPO)

Rajat Kathuria serves as the CEO of Signature Global and brings a wealth of financial expertise to the housing sector. With a background in investment banking and a Chartered Accountant qualification, he focuses on making the business side of real estate more transparent. Rajat works to provide high-quality, affordable housing that helps people achieve the dream of homeownership. He values disciplined growth and uses technology to make property development more efficient and reliable.

14. Abhijeet Maheshwari

• Company: Piramal Realty
• Revenue: ~$500M

Abhijeet Maheshwari is the CEO of Piramal Realty, where he brings nearly two decades of deep industry experience. He previously spent 16 years at Tata Realty, rising through the ranks to lead major projects across Western India. Abhijeet has mastered every stage of the building process. He focuses on creating luxury spaces that prioritize natural light and open greenery. His analytical background helps him build homes that are not just beautiful but also smart investments for the long term.

Who Leads the Real Estate Industry in Europe? Here’s the 3

These three are the most impactful real estate leaders in Europe. Here’s what you must know about them:

15. Rolf Buch

• Company: Vonovia SE (Germany)
• Revenue: €5.3B

Rolf Buch is the CEO of Vonovia SE, Germany’s largest residential landlord. He transitioned from a successful career at Bertelsmann to lead Vonovia through its massive expansion and stock market debut. He is named among the most impactful real estate leaders because he manages over 500,000 apartments with a focus on standardized, efficient housing. He advocates for affordable living and believes it is the key to solving urban housing shortages across Europe.

16. Méka Brunel

• Company: Gecina SA (France)
• Revenue: €1.2B+

Méka Brunel is a highly respected figure in European real estate, having served as the CEO of Gecina and President of Europe for Ivanhoé Cambridge. A civil engineer by training, she has dedicated her career to reimagining the office spaces of Paris. Méka is celebrated for her focus on living spaces rather than just office cubicles. Her visionary leadership has earned her numerous industry awards and influenced how major cities approach sustainable urban development.

17. David Life

• Company: Covivio SA (France)
• Revenue: €1.1B+ (pan-European)

David Life is a prominent leader within the global real estate investment community, often associated with high-level asset management and strategic growth. He focuses on identifying emerging market trends and securing long-term value for diverse portfolios. David is known for his calm, analytical demeanor and his ability to navigate complex economic shifts. He builds lasting trust with investors while ensuring that the properties serve their local communities effectively.

The Market Perspective on Real Estate

Knowing the most impactful real estate leaders leads you to a very simple question: how vast is the real estate industry?

See, global real estate anticipates steady growth through 2030, driven by urbanization, population increases, and infrastructure demand in emerging markets. 

Forecasts project the market expanding from around $4.1-4.7 trillion in 2025 to $5.8-6.4 trillion by 2030 at a 5.5-6.2% CAGR, with Asia Pacific leading due to rapid development in China and India.

As of 2026, there are 3 key growth drivers behind the growing real estate industry.

The first one is urbanization. Urbanization reaches 65% globally by 2030, boosting residential demand in megacities.

​Commercial segments such as rentals grow at 6.1% CAGR, fueled by tourism and e-commerce warehouses.

​Sustainability pushes green buildings and modular housing, with luxury residential at 6.3% CAGR.

Asia Pacific dominates with 52.8% share, expecting 6.9% CAGR from policy support and housing schemes such as India’s PMAY-Urban. Middle East & Africa forecasts 7.2% CAGR, led by UAE mega-projects. North America and Europe stabilize post-2025 with 4-5% growth amid interest rate normalization.

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Conclusion

Behind every great skyline or quiet residential street lies the dedicated work of visionary professionals. These leaders do not just manage assets; they cultivate the places where we build our futures. They remind us that every transaction is a human being looking for a place to belong. The most impactful real estate leaders set a high standard by putting people at the center of their business models.

As the industry continues to evolve, its commitment to trust and community remains the ultimate foundation. Their work proves that success comes from creating value that lasts for generations. We celebrate the most impactful real estate leaders because they turn the simple concept of shelter into the reality of home. They shape our world one building and one human connection at a time.

FAQs

1. How is technology changing the way these individuals lead?

Modern leaders leverage technology to remove physical barriers and simplify complex processes. By integrating digital tools, they empower agents and provide consumers with seamless experiences, making the dream of homeownership more accessible and transparent for everyone involved.

2. What makes a leader truly impactful in real estate?

Most impactful real estate leaders prioritize human connection over simple transactions. They use their vision to build communities, foster trust, and create sustainable environments. Their success is measured by how effectively they improve the lives of the people who inhabit their spaces.

3. Why should we study the strategies of top real estate executives?

Studying these visionaries reveals the evolving standards of the global housing market. Their innovative approaches to leadership and community development provide a roadmap for future growth, showing how empathy and ethics can drive long-term commercial success.