People on the Move at NAR, Christie’s, Realfinity and more 

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. 

NAR welcomes new SVP of education and events

The National Association of Realtors announced this week that it has appointed Elizabeth Ranno as its new senior vice president of education and events, effective May 5.

A veteran leader in real estate, education and SaaS innovation, Ranno brings experience in product development, digital transformation and market expansion to her new role, NAR said in a press release.

Ranno most recently served as vice president of product management at proptech giant RealPage, where she oversaw the development of a $304 million business unit, a product that led to notable revenue growth. She was also the chief product officer at the Professional Education Institute, where she helped transform and globalize a $100 million real estate education business into a high-margin online platform, and held leadership positions at LEAP Innovations, ISACA and the American Health Information Management Association.

"Elizabeth offers a rare and extremely valuable combination of in-depth knowledge of the real estate industry, a passion for education and training, and a sharp business acumen," NAR CEO Nykia Wright said. "We're excited for her to lead the next chapter of innovation in our education and events programming."

At NAR, Ranno will be responsible for elevating member engagement through high-impact learning opportunities and signature events. Her appointment underscores NAR's commitment to advancing professional development and equipping members with tools to succeed in a fast-evolving market, the association noted.

"I've spent my career at the intersection of real estate, technology, and education," Ranno said. "I'm excited to help deliver learning opportunities and events that are more engaging, practical and valuable for our members."

Christie's names new EVP of affiliate services

This week, Christie's International Real Estate announced the promotion of Nicole Konsler to executive vice president of affiliate services, Americas. In her new position, Konsler will lead the company's U.S.-based affiliate services team, supporting nearly 50 firms in North America, South America and the Caribbean, the company said in a news release. 

Konsler brings 17 years of industry experience from her tenure at @properties and Christie's International Real Estate, which the former company acquired in 2021. For over a decade, Konsler specialized in technology integration and agent development, and more recently served as vice president of @properties' proprietary pl@tform education suite, where she helped brokers and agents implement the company's real estate technology tools.

In her elevated role, Konsler will oversee the delivery of brand resources and support to affiliate firms, with a focus on enhancing agent education and operational excellence throughout the Americas.

"Nicole's combination of technical acumen, leadership, and understanding of brokerage operations makes her an ideal choice to head our Americas affiliate services team," said Thad Wong, co-CEO of Christie's International Real Estate. "She has consistently demonstrated a commitment to elevating the experience and value our affiliates receive."

Maverix Advisory Group appoints seasoned leader to new board

Maverix Advisory Group, a consultancy specializing in proptech and real estate brokerage strategy, has created a new advisory board on which industry veteran York Baur will serve as a founding member.

Bauer, who was the CEO of MoxiWorks for over a dozen years, brings decades of experience in proptech leadership, having helped scale the platform into a market leader that supports over 800 brokerages and 400,000 agents across North America. Known for aligning innovation with the evolving needs of brokerages and agents, Baur is recognized by industry peers as an influential voice in the quickly-evolving residential real estate technology landscape.

"We're thrilled and honored to welcome York to the Maverix Advisory Board," Jeff Kennedy, managing partner at Maverix Advisory Group, said in the company's announcement. "His deep knowledge of both the technological and human elements of real estate makes him an invaluable asset as we enter our next phase of growth."

The new board will help guide Maverix's strategic direction, expand its industry influence and mentor emerging leaders and innovators, the company said. Additional board members are expected to be announced in the coming months.

"I've long admired what Maverix is building and the way Jeff and his team partner with founders and brokerages to drive meaningful progress," Baur said. "Joining the Advisory Board is a natural fit for me, and I'm excited to contribute to the momentum Maverix is creating."

Realfinity announces new head of growth

Realfinity has announced Kris Pope will serve as the company's new head of growth. With his background guiding sales teams, Pope's role at the embedded finance platform will involve leading expansion efforts and supporting B2B user acquisition.

Pope previously worked as the director of sales at Better Duo, where he helped sales teams achieve major growth and revenue gains. He "has an outstanding track record and will be a valuable addition to the team," Realafinity Co-founder and CEO Luca Dahlhausen said in a news release. "Attracting top-tier talent to Realfinity reflects the strength of our vision and the momentum we're building as we continue to transform the mortgage industry."

Pope said he is "excited" to step into the new role. "The ability to empower agents with embedded finance tools is a game changer for the industry, and I look forward to driving growth in this sector," he said.