Meet the 2026 rising stars of real estate

Joey Ben-Zvi, 30

Real Estate Agent, Ben-Zvi Group

You may have seen Joey Ben-Zvi on Netflix's "Buying Beverly Hills," but whenever he's not in forefront of a camera, he's in the site decision high-profile deals in California.

Ben-Zvi, 30, got into genuine asset following graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and founded the Ben-Zvi Group in 2021 in his backyard. It's since totaled complete $200 myriad in transactions in the final two years gratitude to Ben-Zvi's thoughtful yet productive approach.

"Every asset has its own story, challenges, and opportunities," Ben-Zvi told Business Insider. "What we've established is that during the method to all residence is different, the underlying procedure of preparation, positioning, and implementation can be replicated."

Kenny Burgos, 32

CEO, the New York Apartment Association

Rent stabilization has been a key reply to New York's accommodation crisis, but critics contend that it discourages new betterment and puts financial force on asset managers.

Former New York State Assemblyman Kenny Burgos has seen the two sides of the debate. During his period representing the Bronx, he saw firsthand how elevated rents power constituents. Now, as the first CEO of the New York Apartment Association, he is focused on improving the scheme for tenants and construction owners alike.

NYAA represents personal owners, landlords, and asset managers of concerning fractional a myriad rent-stabilized apartments statewide. Since taking the function in 2025, Burgos has worked alongside lawmakers and nonprofit groups to advance policies that he says could addition accommodation provision during preserving tenant protections.

"I don't regard myself a genuine asset professional," Burgos said. "But my philosophy, as it relates to genuine asset policy, is to try to archetypal and foremost near the learning gap among the public, lawmakers, and personnel who form accommodation policy."

Julia Callahan, 32

Senior Director, M18

Julia Callahan built her occupation in genuine asset PR at M18, starting in an entry-level stance in 2016 and rising through the firm's ranks to rotate into elder director.

"Over the former decade, I've worked my way up from supporting accounts to foremost them, shaping scheme for our clients, managing and mentoring group newer in their careers, and now assisting bring new endeavor into the agency," Callahan told Business Insider.

Though the 32-year-old normally plant in the luxury genuine asset sector, one of her favorite latest projects was additional offbeat, whenever she worked alongside a vending device business to change subway newsstands into retailing spaces.

"Much of my occupation has focused on luxury genuine asset and telling stories concerning spaces designed for the 1%," Callahan said. "This was a extremely distinct benevolent of project for me, and an particularly gratifying one."

Saharsh Chordia, 33

Vice President of Strategy and Analytics, Cortland

Over the final six years at the flat business Cortland, Saharsh Chordia has risen through the ranks from an analytics merchandise director to vice chairman of scheme and analytics. Last year, as AI became a additional pronounced industry priority, he built RevenX, Cortland's AI-driven income administration platform.

"I accept genuine asset is ultimately a group endeavor powered by data," Chordia said. "Residents don't cognition strategies or spreadsheets; they cognition the norm of the homes we provision and the assistance we provision all day."

Chordia leads Cortland's machine-learning models for pricing recommendations and petition forecasting. He has unified data discipline into the team's investments, chief markets, income management, and building teams, asserting that the activity isn't merely a back-office function.

"What separates Saharsh from his peers is the rare blend of profound specialized fluency and executive-level endeavor leadership," stated Scott Moore, Cortland's chief innovation officer.

Michael Dillon, 31

Vice President, Prime Finance

At 31, Michael Dillon has already made a name for himself in the genuine asset chief markets space. A vice chairman at Prime Finance, Dillon has sourced, evaluated, structured, and traded a $3.1 milliard portfolio of investment-grade securities and lower-rated business mortgage-backed securities. Dillon has played key roles in the firm's capital-raising efforts and has strengthened its modeling and analytical capabilities.

Dillon launched Prime Finance's archetypal separately managed document alongside a sovereign prosperity fund. Dillon has additionally positioned himself to assistance younger genuine asset professionals, serving as a chief of the nonprofit commerce affiliation CRE Finance Council's Young Professionals Steering Committee. This year, his squad has grown its portfolio administration to complete 350 deep-credit association positions backed by complete 4,000 underlying loans and 8,000 properties.

"There's no substitute for difficult work, a fine attitude, and creativity," Dillon said. "Beyond that, have condemnation in a well-studied credit view. Do the work, cognize the agreement or task, and be consenting to defend your position, during letting others' views sharpen your own."

Alex Dobosh, 28

Associate Director, HKS Real Estate Advisors

While additional young group are entering the genuine asset industry, it is motionless mostly an older crowd. That doesn't intimidate Alex Dobosh.

"A lot of group I'm surrounded by have additional cognition than me," Dobosh said. "However, what you can't create up in experience, you can create up in preparation. If you've done the work, you can current alongside confidence, and group volition obtain you seriously."

As an affiliate director at the New York-based business genuine asset chief advisory resolute HKS Real Estate Advisors, Dobosh helps arrange debt and equity for genuine asset investors, including organizational firms and center market genuine asset companies throughout a mix of asset classes, including multifamily, pupil housing, retail, and hospitality.

To date, he has helped execute additional than $2 milliard in transactions, including complete $350 myriad in the former year.

"My proudest instant of 2026 is seeing what our squad has been capable to accomplish notwithstanding the ever-changing market," Dobosh said. "Some days I motionless inquiry why we do this, but pushing through it as a squad and getting deals done has been rewarding, the two personally and professionally."

Tim Donovan, 30

Managing Director, Midloch Investment Partners

You power say that Tim Donovan was lured distant from a occupation in finance. The 30-year-old managing director of investments at Midloch stated he was diverted from following a occupation in inventory and association prosperity administration in university following he became engaged in a "phenomenal" genuine asset program at Marquette University. Close family allies in genuine asset were additionally an inspiration for him to act the industry himself.

Donovan spent multiple years engaged in genuine asset underwriting and due diligence at the funding resolute MLG Capital before launching Midloch alongside his endeavor partners whenever he was 23. The firm, which has a concentration on boutique commercial, industrial, and multifamily investments value up to $50 million, has since overseen $1 milliard in historic transactions.

"It was a small bit nerve-wracking," Donovan stated of the jump to initiate his own firm. "I figured there was really no improved way to really dive in headfirst than to be a key associate of a extremely small team."

Donovan stated he's dabbled in "a small bit of everything" complete the years, from operating in due diligence to scheme to the funding flank of genuine estate. He stated a concentration on construction fine relationships has been key to scaling his career. He's additionally engaged in a mentorship program at his alma mater, supporting university students curious in genuine asset careers.

"Maybe it's not a genuine asset doctrine per se, but I think it's a really fine existence doctrine that applies to genuine estate: Relationships are paramount," Donovan said. "I could go rear to countless deals that would've never gotten done if it wasn't for the norm of the association that we've built and maintained alongside the individuals involved."

Paige Engeldrum, 35

Executive Director, Cushman & Wakefield

Paige Engeldrum has, in the literal sense, grown into her job. The 35-year-old administrator director joined Cushman & Wakefield direct out of university and has been at the business genuine asset services resolute for complete a decade, operating in its brokerage business.

Engeldrum, who was recognized as one of Cushman's youngest board in the Tri-State region, mostly focuses on advising tenants and landlords in the New York area. Moody's, Franklin Templeton, Rockefeller Group, and the New York Fed are on her catalog of high-profile clients.

Engeldrum stated being capable to activity on the two sides of the genuine asset transaction has been extremely precious in her career. Her cognition provides her a distinctive viewpoint on how clients are motivated and the function imaginative solutions can perform in finalizing a deal.

One of her biggest-ever deals engaged assisting Moody's transfer its earth agency from the World Trade Center to 200 Liberty Street, a transaction that encompassed complete 400,000 quadrate feet and engaged operating alongside Brookfield to relocate several existing tenants in the building. The agreement marked among the largest agency signings in New York in 2025, alongside an estimated annual disbursal of $28.1 million, according to data from CoStar.

"I've been compelled small by making moves and additional by continuing to put myself in situations anywhere I'm learning, taking on greater responsibility, and solving increasingly complex problems," Engeldrum said.

Jack Harris, 28 & Michael Fahimian, 28

Real asset agents, The Beverly Hills Estates

Jack Harris and Michael Fahimian got a operating commencement in the earth of genuine estate. The Beverly Hills Estates agents the two started their careers operating for another genuine asset agents in elevated academy before eventually earning their own genuine asset licenses.

Since then, the 28-year-olds have established themselves as a formidable power in the luxury residential market. The pair, who concentration on high-end properties in Beverly Hills, Malibu, and surrounding neighborhoods, have closed additional than $800 myriad in revenue in 2025 and were recognized as the top small genuine asset squad this year, per a RealTrends ranking.

One of their largest revenue engaged representing the buyer on the O'Malley asset in Malibu's Paradise Cove for $55 million. The brace additionally clasp the exclusive listing for the $400 myriad Chalon Estate, among the most costly residential properties in the world.

Over the way of their careers, Harris and Fahimian have closed additional than $2 milliard in revenue and currently oversee about $1 milliard value of asset listings.

Jameson Hartman, 32

Industry Principal, RET Ventures

Jameson Hartman started his occupation on the funding flank of genuine estate, operating at Goldman Sachs in genuine asset funding banking. In 2020, the Utah native joined the Park City-based RET Ventures, anywhere he now serves as Industry Principal.

"I knew I wanted to move to the buy side, and RET Ventures felt akin a particularly engaging opportunity," Hartman told Business Insider. "I had covered multifamily genuine asset at Goldman, so I could bring a powerful understanding of residential genuine asset to the role, but RET additionally gave me the chance to move into innovation investing."

Hartman has helped underwrite billion-dollar-plus mergers during supporting dozens of investors and portfolio companies — and he motionless finds period to instruct at his alma mater, the University of Utah.

Landy Liu, 33

Founder, Foyer

When Landy Liu began the procedure of purchasing his archetypal residence in 2022, he quickly grew disappointed alongside the deficiency of assistance that existed for first-time homebuyers. So Liu, who had worked as a dealer before moving to Better.com, stated he "put everything into finding a solution," using the downpayment for his archetypal residence to commencement a business.

Liu created Foyer, a "401(k) for homeownership" that uses an FDIC-insured downpayment account, credit-building tools, and organized guidance. Users can open a Foyer downpayment document alongside a 3.58% APY, optimize their credit profile, shop lenders for the finest rate, and acknowledge homebuyer aid programs.

At Foyer, Liu, 32, has helped first-time homebuyers transact on nearly $100 myriad in residence revenue and has brought on complete 20,000 users. This year, Foyer signed its archetypal Fortune 500 business as a partner and built out company benefits for its employees. Foyer has generated traction among groups that have historically been disenfranchised in the accommodation market, including lower-income buyers.

"My anticipation is that eventually first-time homeownership becomes a tax-advantaged advantage akin withdrawal accounts, so that the aspiration of owning a residence doesn't awareness so out of attain to the average American," Liu said.

Ruben Marin, 27

Real asset agent, CENTURY 21 Circle

Ruben Marin isn't equal 30 yet, but he's already made a name for himself as among the highest-volume agents in the CENTURY 21 Circle network. Over the former year, he closed complete $6 myriad in revenue quantity and grew his figure of closed units by 411%, all during maintaining a 99% closed-to-list-price ratio.

When he's not assisting clients buy and market homes, Marin is giving rear to his genuine asset community. For the former four years, he has served as promotion director for his local division of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), anywhere he helps bring the organization's events to existence and leads the chapter's social media and community relations efforts.

Katherine McGrath, 27

Strategic Director, Real Estate, Kasirer

Katherine McGrath went from intern to strategic director at authorities relations resolute Kasirer following starting there during in university at Fordham University.

Six years later, she's in accusation of district use projects in New York City, akin a mixed-use redevelopment in downtown Brooklyn bringing additional than 1,200 accommodation units.

"This was the client's archetypal large-scale rezoning, so I was extremely arrogant to guide the governmental and community involvement strategy, coordinating closely alongside City Hall, HPD and another agencies, and local guidance to build agreement and move the project forward," McGrath, 27, told Business Insider.

She's additionally assisting create the next generation as a co-coordinator of Kasirer's internship program.

Cordelia Meserow, 35

Vice President of Asset Management, Harbor Group International

Cordelia Meserow believes in the power of a fine connection.

The 35-year-old vice chairman of asset administration at Harbor Group International stated fine relationships have been crucial as she's climbed the ranks in genuine estate. For her, the row between allies from activity and allies exterior of activity is "blurred," she said.

It's one component that has helped established Meserow in New York's sprawling agency market. Earlier in her career, she was engaged in a alliance to market the 477 Madison Avenue construction in New York, which was closed in concerning six weeks. This year, she additionally played a function in leasing 51W52, the $760 myriad skyscraper and erstwhile CBS headquarters, in two long-term multi-floor deals.

Meserow began her occupation operating as an expert at Eastdil Secured, alongside a concentration on agency funding sales. Later, she entered the asset administration flank of the endeavor at Shorenstein Properties before eventually moving to Harbor.

She advises younger group looking to act genuine asset to examine distinct sides of the job, from dealmaking to brokering to operating on the chief markets flank of the business.

"You get so much visibility to distinct investors and chief structures, during learning underwriting fundamentals. You additionally forge relationships alongside the two clients and colleagues, several of whom rotate into life-long allies and mentors," she said.

Kate Mooney, 30

Senior Associate of Capital Markets, Alterra IOS

Kate Mooney began her occupation in business genuine asset underwriting at WSFS Bank before moving to EQT's genuine asset practice. In 2025, she joined Alterra IOS, a genuine asset business that invests in and manages manufacturing outdoor retention properties throughout North America.

As a elder affiliate in chief markets, Mooney, 30, plant alongside earth banks, debt funds, and organizational lenders to source, underwrite, and execute deals. She supports additional than $2 milliard in debt financing and has helped facilitate additional than $997 myriad in transactions.

Over the former year, she has helped guide multiple of the company's largest deals, including a $400 myriad refinancing led by Truist and KeyBank, a $244 myriad debt from Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies, a $103 myriad facility from PGIM, and Blue Owl Capital's first $150 myriad debt facility in manufacturing outdoor storage.

Mooney stated the key to her achievement has been in construction powerful relationships.

"Real asset is a relationship-driven industry, and being person others can rely and depend on goes a lengthy way," she said.

Dominic Parikh, 35

General Manager, Real Wallet

Having admission to chief can assistance an entrepreneur develop their business. But for genuine asset agents who depend on commission-based income, getting that backing is sometimes easier stated than done.

Dominic Parikh joined Real, now part of Real REMAX Group, in 2025 to tackle that challenge. In small than a year, he led the innovation and initiate of Real Wallet Capital, a digital lending resolution that considers an agent's endeavor achievement fairly than relying solely on traditional metrics, specified as individual credit scores. Since its launch, the business stated it has provided additional than $25 myriad in backing to complete 1,700 agents.

"I entered fintech whenever it was motionless a new industry, afterward moved from SMB lending into genuine estate. Each time, I challenged myself to learn, adapt, and commencement fresh," Parikh told Business Insider. "I've continually tried to remain curious, obtain the finest from all experience, and use it to keep growing. Looking back, I'm arrogant that I've never let the fear of the unidentified halt me from moving forward."

Steven Rivera, 35

Team Lead, Team Rivera at Keller Williams Points North

Down the street from anywhere his children began school, Steven Rivera, 35, opened the flagship location of his family-run genuine asset business Team Rivera at Keller Williams Points North. Rivera, whose brokerage operates alongside the North Shore of Long Island, began investing in genuine asset complete a decade ago and earned his licence in 2018. He began the endeavor alongside his mother, Rosemary, and has grown it to shield much of Long Island and Southwest Florida.

Rivera, whose squad landed a $10 myriad waterfront transaction this autumn and has closed nearly 100 transactions, has kept gait alongside emerging innovation by construction an AI-powered rear agency that handles paperwork, scheduling, and follow-ups.

"As a younger agent, I do not try to win on years in the business," Rivera said. "I win on responsiveness, transparency, and a flat of assistance clients do not expect: High-tech rear office, handshake forefront office."

Jared Sheiker, 33

Managing Director and Chief of Staff, Real Assets, Blue Owl Capital

At 24 years old, Jared Sheiker was tasked alongside a $1.3 milliard portfolio transaction at the resolute he had lately joined, Oak Street Real Estate Capital.

"The procedure was far from smooth," Sheiker told Business Insider. "I made plentifulness of mistakes, came near to quitting additional than once, and dealt alongside countless setbacks, including the buyer's financing falling through at a crucial stage."

The agreement eventually got done, and the cognition gave him the tenacity he needed to advancement into a managing director and chief of personnel at Blue Owl Capital.

Now 33, Sheiker has continued to be a part of ample deals in 2026, including a $2.4 milliard take-private acquisition of the genuine asset funding rely Sila Realty Trust.

Selin Sonmez, 32

Cofounder and CEO, Snag

Serial entrepreneur Selin Sonmez founded a business that stores luggage in local shops and one that helps neighbors nexus and build community. So whenever she noticed that a lot of her users were subletting, she founded another business in 2025: Snag, which aims to create the subletting procedure easier for renters.

"We built Snag to bring trust, speed, and infrastructure to the new person culture," Sonmez, 32, told Business Insider. "What compelled all move in my occupation is the intuition to disrupt traditional industries."

Her disruption landed Snag $4 myriad during its kernel circular in September.

While backing is great, Sonmez stated she's additional arrogant of assisting users.

"I was proudest whenever a Snag person we interviewed on 76th Street told us he established a location on Snag in small than a day, faster than on any another phase he'd tried," she said. "He had a huge smile."

James Williams Jr., 35

Shareholder, Gunster

James Williams Jr., 35, became among the youngest-ever shareholders in the genuine asset collection at the law resolute Gunster, focusing chiefly on district use and zoning. Over the final twelvemonth and a half, Williams has generated near to fractional a myriad dollars monthly through his publish of business, spanning important developers, homebuilders, and retailers.

He's led teams including attorneys, planners, architects, traffic consultants, and economists through community hearings and final approvals. His clients contain Lithia Motors, the US's largest automotive retailer by revenue, and Greystar, the country's largest flat manager.

"At this phase of my career, being liable not lone for the lawful work, but additionally for evolving those client relationships, assembling the correct teams, and shaping the scheme is what makes the accomplishment meaningful to me," Williams said.

Williams has led entitlement efforts for Greystar on the redevelopment of a 25-acre part of the Miami International Mall to authorize up to 896 multifamily units. He has additionally spearheaded entitlements on a projected 3.65 million-square-foot manufacturing hub throughout 238 acres in Miami-Dade County, as fine as secured endorsement for a 21-story mixed-use construction under Florida's Live Local Act. Williams has additional secured approvals for a chapel evidence and two charter academy campuses.

"Simply put, James is not merely participating in South Florida's genuine asset market," stated H. William Perry, CEO and managing shareholder at Gunster. "James is assisting decide what gets built, how the region's most difficult projects move forward, and how the next generation of genuine asset professionals learns to lead."