Elliman, BHS deepen C-suite; American REA names first exec
The firms appointed chief strategy officers this week as Elliman eyes global growth, BHS focuses on operations. Plus, Mary Frances Coleman joins American REA.
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.
Elliman makes another addition to its leadership team
Douglas Elliman has made its second C-level hire this week with the appointment of Wendy Purvey, a longtime industry executive, to lead growth initiatives at the firm. The brokerage announced on Nov. 11 that Chris Reyes was joining Elliman as chief technology officer.
Purvey, a marketing, sales and operations leader with more than three decades of leadership experience, is Elliman's new chief strategy officer. Prior to being hired into the role, Purvey was working with Douglas Elliman Florida as a consultant.
Previously, Purvey had a lengthy career at Sotheby's. She was chief marketing officer at Sotheby's International Realty for 12 years, and later spent four years as COO and president at Pacific Sotheby's International Realty, one of the brand's largest franchises.
In her new role with Elliman, she will be focused on growth and revenue opportunities, including M&As, ancillary services, agent retention and international expansion — a new initiative for the company. In June, the brokerage launched its global division, Elliman International, and recently announced the planned openings of its first offices in Europe.
"Wendy's extensive experience and deep expertise in strategic operations are a perfect match for our plans for growth and innovation at Douglas Elliman," President and CEO Michael S. Liebowitz said in a news release. "I look forward to working closely with her and the leadership team to realize this ambitious vision."
BHS promotes longtime exec to oversee strategy
Brown Harris Stevens is also investing in strategic leadership with its latest appointment, announcing today that Christopher Halstead will be the firm's new chief strategy officer.
Halstead joined BHS more than 15 years ago, most recently serving as executive sales director of Connecticut. In his expanded role, he will also work out of the company's New York City office, spearheading new initiatives, streamlining brokerage operations and supporting other projects across the firm's network, according to a news release.
Halstead began his career as an agent in 2008, working at his family's eponymous brokerage through its merger with BHS in 2020.
"Christopher's leadership, insight, and commitment to excellence have long set him apart," BHS CEO Bess Freedman said of Halstead's promotion. "He has an incredible ability to connect with our agents and managers, understand their needs, and execute strategies that elevate our business. I'm confident that in this new role, he will continue to strengthen our operations and position Brown Harris Stevens for long-term success."
American REA appoints first director
The upstart American Real Estate Association has hired Mary Frances Coleman as its first executive director. Co-founder Jason Haber made the announcement on LinkedIn today after the news was reported by Inman.
American REA is the successor to Haber's NAR Accountability Project, a group formed in 2023 in response to allegations of sexual harassment at the National Association of Realtors. Billed as an NAR alternative, American REA launched its paid membership program in August 2024.
Haber told Real Estate News in September that the association planned to start hiring paid staff, with the executive director role as its top priority.
"We have officially transitioned from an all-volunteer organization into a staffed nonprofit with real infrastructure and real momentum," Haber wrote in today's announcement. "Our members will see more communication, more events, more partnerships, and more opportunities to shape the future of this industry."
Coleman has a broad background in real estate, including experience as an agent, executive, attorney and consultancy founder. She has previously served as COO of eXp Realty and CEO and president of Realty Executives, according to her LinkedIn profile.
In his post, Haber called out Coleman's "unmatched experience, a passion for innovation, and a deep belief in empowering agents and brokerages," adding: "Her leadership will accelerate everything we are building."