Compass adds Google AI vet to board ‘at pivotal time’ 

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.

Google AI exec joins Compass board as longtime member steps down

Compass has appointed an AI pro to its board of directors, the brokerage announced today, a move that signals the firm's deepening commitment to its tech-forward strategy. 

Sissie Hsiao joins the board from Google, where she spent nearly 20 years leading product initiatives and most recently served as VP of Google DeepMind's Gemini AI assistant. 

The addition of a tech veteran comes "at a pivotal time where technology is reshaping how our real estate professionals work," Compass Founder and CEO Robert Reffkin said in a news release. "Her AI and advertising background is exactly what we were looking for and we welcome her to our Board."

Hsiao praised the brokerage's growth and said the company has built "a technology platform that genuinely helps real estate professionals grow their businesses."

In conjunction with the appointment, Compass revealed that six-year board member and Lead Independent Director Charles Phillips stepped down last week.

The announcement noted that Phillips' exit was a personal decision and "not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company's operations, policies, or practices." Phillips was also chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

Reffkin called Phillips "an extraordinary partner" who "brought the judgment of an operator and the discipline of an investor to every conversation."

Taking Phillips' place as lead independent director is Frank Martell, who has been on the Compass board for nearly five years and currently serves as audit committee chair, while six-year board member Steven Sordello will now chair the nominating and corporate governance committee.

3-decade title veteran named ALTA president

The American Land Title Association (ALTA) has officially installed its 2026-2027 president, the trade group shared in a news release. Craig Haskins, president and CEO of Milwaukee-based Knight Barry Title, brings more than 30 years of title experience to the national organization and succeeds 2025-2026 President David A. Townsend. 

Prior to moving into the top leadership role at ALTA, Haskins served on the board of governors and multiple committees, and he was previously vice chair of the best practices work group. Beyond ALTA, he is a member of the Florida Land Title Association board and was 2011-2012 president of the Wisconsin Land Title Association.

ALTA CEO Chris Morton described Haskins as "someone who listens closely, asks thoughtful questions and understands the day-to-day realities our members face," adding that his "collaborative approach will be a tremendous asset as our industry continues to lean into the opportunities presented by technology and innovation to better serve consumers, strengthen fraud prevention and protect property rights."

Haskins' priorities during his tenure as president include ensuring members are heard and helping them "navigate emerging challenges, embrace new opportunities and advance the industry's role in protecting real estate transactions and property rights," according to a news release. 

"ALTA is at its best when members are engaged and willing to bring their ideas, experiences and perspectives to the table," Haskins said. "Some of the best ideas in our industry come from people who are solving problems every day in their own businesses, and I want to make sure ALTA continues to create opportunities for those ideas to be heard and put into action."