2 big promotions at eXp; Hanna COO elected to RE commission 

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.

eXp Realty elevates 2 insiders to C-suite

The cloud-based brokerage announced two significant leadership changes this week as it eyes future growth.

Carrie Lysenko is shifting from her role as CEO of Zoocasa, an eXp subsidiary based in Canada, to chief technology officer at eXp Realty. She replaces Sumanth Kamath, who was named CTO in 2024 and has left the company "to pursue a new leadership opportunity," according to a news release. 

Lysenko drove the integration of Zoocasa's platform across North America during her time as CEO, and in her new capacity as CTO, she will execute eXp's "innovation roadmap" to help streamline agent workflows and increase productivity, the company said.

Also moving up to the C-suite is Holly Mabery, former SVP of brokerage operations at eXp, who is now the company's first chief brokerage officer. Mabery joined eXp in 2018 as a broker who consistently climbed the ranks over the past seven years. She will now be tasked with improving the brokerage experience with a focus on safety, compliance and support.

"Growth isn't just learned, it's lived," eXp Realty CEO Leo Pareja said in the announcement. "Carrie creates technology that agents actually want to use, and Holly builds the brokerage operational trust that allows them to sleep at night." 

Their appointments represent "a declaration that eXp Realty is doubling down on excellence, innovation, and the people who make this company great," Pareja added.

Howard Hanna exec to head state real estate commission

In addition to serving as COO of Howard Hanna Real Estate for nearly 40 years, Annie Hanna Cestra has been elected chair of the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission, the family-owned brokerage announced this week.

Cestra is no stranger to the real estate commission, having previously served on the board from 2003-2018. Her service included a prior stint as chair when she was appointed by Pennsylvania's governor to the role in 2007, according to Howard Hanna. Her duties as  commission chair will include overseeing regulatory initiatives and helping ensure state licensing and educational requirements are implemented and adopted.

"I am honored to be elected Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission," Cestra said in the announcement. "Pennsylvania's Real Estate market plays a vital role in our economy and in the lives of millions of residents. I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners, industry stakeholders, and the public to ensure that our standards remain strong and responsive to the needs of today's sellers, buyers and professionals."