The Real Deal announced on May 5 its list of the 100 most influential figures in New York City’s residential real estate sector, featuring a mix of industry veterans, emerging disruptors, and well-known personalities from television and social media.
This annual list recognizes individuals who are not only closing major deals but also shaping the direction of the city’s housing market. The selection includes company founders, team leaders, advocates for industry change, and agents whose influence extends beyond New York.
Among those featured is Robert Reffkin, founder of Compass and now chairman and CEO of Compass International Holdings after a $1.6 billion merger with Anywhere Real Estate. Pam Liebman, CEO and president of Corcoran Group, also appears on the list; she began her career as an agent at Corcoran before being chosen to lead by founder Barbara Corcoran. Both Reffkin and Liebman started their careers in New York City but have since expanded their reach nationally.
Other notable names include Bess Freedman of Brown Harris Stevens—who has publicly disagreed with some competitors’ approaches—and Ryan Serhant, whose brokerage launched in 2020 has grown to operate in multiple states while maintaining a strong presence through reality TV exposure. Fredrik Eklund and John Gomes head one of Douglas Elliman’s largest teams; Steve Gold from Corcoran is recognized for his new development sales work; Leonard Steinberg at Compass is known for defending changes within the industry; Jason Haber co-founded a new national trade group following leadership changes at the National Association of Realtors.
Additional honorees include Adam Modlin’s boutique luxury firm Modlin Group; Alexa Lambert leading projects for developer Miki Naftali after joining Compass via acquisition; Nikki Field overseeing sales at Billionaires’ Row’s 111 West 57th Street with Sotheby’s International Realty; Serena Boardman specializing in elite co-op sales on the Upper East Side; and Lisa Lippman ranking among top co-op dealers at Brown Harris Stevens.
The recognition underscores how these professionals continue to impact both local markets and broader trends across residential real estate.
