The 2025 REALTOR® Broker Summit will take place April 8-9 in Louisville, Ky. More information will be available in the coming months.

The 2024 Broker Summit took place April 18-19 in San Diego, Calif., at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Learn more about the speakers below.

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Keynote Speaker:

Peter Sheahan

C-Suite Advisor and
Entrepreneur

Peter Sheahan

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After decades of standing in the fire with leaders of high-performing organizations, Peter Sheahan has come to believe that an organization will only go commercially where its leaders first go personally.

Having grown his own companies by accelerating the growth and transformation for clients that include: Apple; Chick-fil-A; DeBeers; and AT&T — Peter will provoke you to get bigger, by getting better! When leaders are true to their purpose, they gravitate towards doing work that matters and solving higher-order problems. The journey to get there requires that they have the courage to tell themselves the truth, take intelligent risks, and assume ownership for driving the alignment necessary to build an organization which behaves in ways worthy of its leadership position.

In being true to his own ambitions and relentless pursuit of growth, Peter has published seven books, built three global companies, and delivered more than 2,500 presentations in 40+ countries. Today he is focused exclusively on inspiring leaders to do the hard work required to accelerate growth and transformation.

Additional Speakers:

Adorna Carroll

Broker/Owner of Realty3 of CT
President of Dynamic Directions, Inc.

Adorna Carroll AEI 2021 Headshot

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Adorna owns and runs three real-estate-focused businesses and has supervised a personal team for 25-plus years. As president of Dynamic Directions, Adorna trains REALTORS® all over North America in buyer/seller representation, strategic planning and leadership training. She's authored numerous designation and certification courses for CRB, CRETS – Certified RE Teams Certification, the SRS – Seller Representative Specialist and the RENE – RE Negotiation Expert. She was the 1997 president of CT REALTORS®, 2001 Region 1 VP, NAR liaison in 2002, 2003 and 2007, a 2004 RPAC trustee, 2005 NAR VP to Committees, 2006 NAR chief fundraiser and 2016 president of the REBI. She's in the RPAC Hall of Fame and the REBAC Hall of Fame. Adorna is the 79th recipient of the NAR Distinguished Service Award. She's earned the Who’s Who of American Women, Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Who's Who in Emerging Leaders, Who’s Who in the East and Who’s Who in America awards. She has a BA degree in Philosophy.

Dean Cottrill

Executive Vice President
T3 Sixty’s Brokerage Consulting Division

Dean Cottrill

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Dean is EVP of T3 Sixty’s Brokerage Consulting Division. In addition to helping brokers and their companies reach higher levels of success and profitability, he also leads the T3 Fellows program. He has over 20 years of hands-on leadership experience, and he has held several senior-level positions with real estate brokerage organizations including Long & Foster, Weichert Realtors and Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (NRT), where he spent the last 10 years of his career. As Group President at CB, he oversaw 66 sales offices and 4,000+ associates that generated more than $10 billion in annual sales volume.

Jason Craig

President
IRAR Trust Company

Jason Craig

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A nationally recognized leader in the self-directed IRA industry, Jason Craig has authored numerous articles and been featured in publications like the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, RISMedia, and REALTOR.com. He regularly shares his expertise as a speaker for the NAR Center for REALTOR® Financial Wellness.

Currently President of IRAR Trust Company, a leading self-directed IRA custodian, Jason empowers real estate agents to build wealth through real estate investments within their IRAs. Leveraging his 25+ years of experience in financial services and his status as a Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP), Jason has presented to countless real estate professionals and their clients. He is also a real estate IRA investor himself, a member of the Forbes Financial Council, and a strong advocate for the benefits of self-directed IRAs.

Jeremy Empol

SVP, Public Affairs & Industry Outreach
Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

Jeremy Empol

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Jeremy Empol has extensive work experience in the public affairs and government relations field. Jeremy is currently the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Industry Outreach at the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Prior to that, they held various senior-level positions at the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, including Senior Vice President of Federal Government Affairs and Vice President of Federal Government Affairs. Before joining the credit union leagues, Jeremy worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Legislative Assistant and Legislative Correspondent for different representatives. Jeremy also served as a Staff Assistant in the California State Assembly.

George Fatheree

Founder & CEO
ORO Impact

George Fatheree

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George is the Founder and CEO of ORO Impact, a social impact Fintech dedicated to closing the wealth gap by increasing access to down payment assistance. ORO Impact helps companies make loans to their employees to make a down payment on a home – helping employers improve retention and helping employees build wealth through home ownership.

An attorney, George is most recognized for securing the landmark return of Bruce’s Beach – marking the first time in U.S. history the government returned property taken by racially motivated eminent domain. Before the law, George worked as a nonprofit executive, a strategy consultant with McKinsey, and launched an internet company.

George is a 2024 Rockefeller Bellagio Resident, where he developed the Black Land Loss Narrative Archive Project, a national platform to collect and archive narratives of Black land loss, and received the Living Legends Awards for Service to Humanity. George serves on the board of the National Portrait Gallery and Loyola Marymount University. George graduated from Harvard University and Loyola Law School.

Ken Fears

Director of Conventional Finance and Valuation Policy
National Association of REALTORS®

Ken Fears

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Ken Fears is an Economist by training and serves as a Senior Policy Representative for Banks, Lending and Housing Finance at the National Association of REALTORS®. Mr. Fears developed expertise in housing market dynamics, taxation, and finance over eighteen years at NAR, while working as an Economist. More recently, Mr. Fears served as the internal expert on trends in mortgage finance and lending research. Mr. Fears now works in NAR’s advocacy group defending and promoting NAR’s interests in the conventional housing finance, real property valuation, and federal guarantee arenas. Mr. Fears presents on finance issues to local and state real estate associations as well as to Congress and Federal regulators and is quoted in both the local and national media.

Mr. Fears received his B.A. in economics from Syracuse University and a MSc. (Masters of Science) in economics from the University of Texas at Austin.

Shay Hata

Team Lead of The Buy Sell Love Chicago Team
BHHS Chicago

Shay Hata

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Shay Hata is an Ivy League grad, mom and residential REALTOR®. She moved to Chicago in 2012 and jumped into real estate in a brand-new city where she didn't know anyone and was new to real estate. Now 10 years later she has a small team consisting of 2 other agents and 4 assistants and she averages 150 transactions a year in Chicago and $75M in transaction volume. In 2020 Shay moved to Denver so Shay now splits her time between Denver and Chicago and sells real estate in both markets. Shay is passionate about animal rescue as well as making sure every child has access to a quality education, therefore, she donates a portion of each commission to local animal rescue groups and local schools.

Katie Johnson

Chief Legal Officer & Chief Member Experience Officer
National Association of REALTORS®

Katie Johnson Broker Summit Speaker Headshot

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Katie Johnson is the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Member Experience Officer, National Association of REALTORS®, the nation’s largest trade association representing more than 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the real estate industry.

As the daughter of two REALTORS®, Katie takes great pride in her role at NAR. As General Counsel, she is responsible for assuring that the programs, policies and activities of NAR are in compliance with the law. She also is responsible for defending the association against legal challenges and initiating litigation to protect and preserve association assets and policies. As NAR’s Chief Member Experience Officer, she leads initiatives to enhance member engagement and satisfaction through delivery of relevant resources and experiences for our commercial, global, association leadership, professional standards, and MLS stakeholders. Katie lives in Chicago with her husband and three children.

Anthony Lamacchia

Broker Owner
Lamacchia Realty

Anthony LaMacchia

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Currently, Anthony spends his time managing the companies, training agents, and strategically planning for the future. Given the size of the company and its rapid growth, he spends most of his time working with Lamacchia Realty and with his leadership team, as their work feeds into all other Lamacchia brands. Anthony is considered an industry expert, having done hundreds of television appearances on the local news and many speaking engagements at national industry conferences, including the National Association of REALTORS® annual conference, Zillow conferences, Inman news summits, RIS Media, and more. He is completely obsessed and passionate about providing all agents and employees in the company with top-notch technology, tools, systems, and training to excel in their careers and to grow their businesses.

Dr. Jessica Lautz

Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research
National Association of REALTORS®

NAR Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Jessica Lautz

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Dr. Jessica Lautz is Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association of REALTORS®. The core of her research focuses on analyzing trends for both NAR members and housing consumers. Through the management of surveys, focus groups, and data analysis, she presents new and innovative ways to showcase results. She effectively utilizes Research data to educate and impact policymakers on the state of the housing market and discusses research findings in major media outlets and international presentations. In 2021, Dr. Lautz was named one of Housing Wire’s Women of Influence, a list representing 100 of the most influential women in leadership in the housing industry. In 2022 and 2023, Dr. Lautz was named a RISMedia Newsmaker in the Influencer and the Crusader categories, respectively. She also volunteers at Nottingham Trent University as an industry fellow mentoring real estate graduate students.

Jessica received her Doctorate of Real Estate from Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom. She also holds a Master’s in Public Policy from American University and undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Law and Justice from Central Washington University.

Marki Lemons-Ryhal

Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAiO)
ReMarkiTable LLC

Marki Lemons Ryhal

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One of 100 speakers selected out of over 1,300 to speak at the REALTOR® Conference & Expo ten times (face-to-face and virtually) with high program evaluations and an INMAN Closing Keynote Speaker. Marki Lemons Ryhal is a licensed Managing Broker, REALTOR®, avid volunteer, Major Investor, President's Circle, Federal Political Coordinator, Podcast Host of Drive with NAR & Social Selling Made Simple, 30 times published author, and 6X International Best-Selling Author. Marki Lemons-Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate. With 30+ years of marketing and education experience, Marki has taught over 1,000,000 people (face-to-face and virtually) since 1993.

Marki holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Chicago State University, a Master's in Business Administration from Saint Xavier University, and sixty-four real estate-related licenses, certifications, and designations.

Lynn Madison

REALTOR/Speaker/Instructor
Lynn Madison Seminars

Lynn Madison

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Lynn is the owner of Lynn Madison Seminars, a full-service training and development company devoted to the advancement of professionalism in real estate.

Formerly Lynn was Vice President and Director of Career Development for The Prudential Preferred Properties in Chicago, a 25-office firm with over 900 associates, where she authored and trained their New Agent Institute. Before that she held the same position with First United REALTORS®, a local independent with 28 offices. She was manager of two different offices for First United. Prior to that, she was an award winning salesperson – receiving their Salesperson of the Year honors.

Lynn speaks annually at the NAR conventions and is an ABR, BPOR, GRI, SFR, SRES, and SRS instructor and has conducted classes in over 30 states. Lynn's involvement with REBAC goes beyond instructing. She conducts the trainer recertification program for REBAC instructors annually and has authored or co-authored the SFR, ABR and BPOR courses.

At the National level, Lynn currently serves on the NAR Professional Development Committee the RPAC Participation Council and has served on Equal Opportunity and Cultural Diversity as well as Professional Standards and Risk Management. Lynn has been honored with two NAR Hall of Fame memberships - RPAC and REBAC.

Lynn is ITI certified, a member of the Real Estate Educators Association, was a National Educator of the Year award winner, has received the Educator of the Year award from AIREE, the Illinois real estate educator of the year and REALTOR® of the Year honors from her local association in 2003 and was named the Illinois Association REALTOR® of the Year for 2011.

Ellen Martin

Director of Homeownership
California Housing Finance Agency

Ellen Martin

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Ellen Martin joined the California Housing Finance Agency in 2021 as the Director of Business Development and Stakeholder Relations and assumed the role of Director of Homeownership in 2023. She is responsible for overseeing CalHFA’s homeownership programs, including the Agency’s flagship downpayment assistance programs as well as specialty offerings such as the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Program and CalHFA’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program.

Prior to her tenure at CalHFA, Ellen was a Principal with Economic & Planning, Systems, Inc. a full-service urban economics consulting firm experienced in all financial aspects of the land use planning and real estate development process. During her tenure there, Ellen offered expertise regarding development impact fees, infrastructure finance, real estate market and development feasibility analysis and many other aspects related to public finance and urban economics.

Holly loves sharing the fun and living the dream in Northern Arizona with her wife, Jen, that includes good coffee, special friends and family, and excellent beer.

Lesley Muchow

General Counsel & Vice President of Legal Affairs
National Association of REALTORS®

Lesley Muchow

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Lesley Muchow is General Counsel & Vice President of Legal Affairs and Antitrust Compliance for the National Association of REALTORS®.

Eric Sain

2024 NAR Vice President
of Association Affairs

Eric Sain

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Eric Sain (GRI, CIPS, C2EX, AHWD, ePRO), a REALTOR® from West Palm Beach, Florida, is 2024 Vice President of Association Affairs for the National Association of REALTORS®.

Eric, an accomplished 25-year industry veteran, is a district sales manager in Palm Beach Gardens with the Keyes Co., Florida’s largest independent brokerage.

A proud graduate of NAR Leadership Academy 2012, Eric has held a variety of leadership roles at the national level: 2016 REALTOR® Party Fundraising Trustee, 2018 REALTOR® Party Disbursements Liaison, 2017 Public Policy Coordinating Committee Chair, 2020 C2EX Chair and 2022 Meetings & Conference Committee Co-Chair. Most recently, he served as 2023 Regional Vice President for Region 5, composed of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Eric has also served at the state and local levels. At Florida REALTORS®, he served as 2019 president, RPAC Trustee and Chairman and Public Policy Chair. He’s also served on countless other PAGs and committees. Eric served as the 2008-09 president of what is now Broward Palm Beaches and St. Lucie REALTORS®, where he started their local Young Professionals Network in 2008.

Eric has earned many awards, including being named Florida REALTORS® REALTOR® of the Year in 2020 and REALTOR® Associate of the Year in 2010. In 2021, he was awarded the TrailBlazer of the Year for his local association and their REALTOR® of the Year in 2010.   

A multi-talented professional, Eric is a productivity and accountability coach in his role as district sales manager as well as an entertaining emcee and speaker. He previously worked in the entertainment industry as a featured performer in videos, television specials, live theatre and touring companies. He’s fortunate to have worked with some of the industry's leading artists, including Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, Billy Ray Cyrus, Reba McEntire, the Mandrell Sisters, Lee Greenwood, Willie Nelson, Lucy Arnaz, Gregory Hines and many more.

Eric and his partner, John, live in downtown West Palm Beach and enjoy traveling to our country’s national parks, riding their motorcycles along the coast, Airstreaming, fun times at the beach and being entertained by their dog, Selma.

Kevin Sears

2024 President
National Association of REALTORS®

Kevin Sears

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Kevin Sears (AHWD, C2EX), a REALTOR® from Springfield, Mass., is 2024 president of the National Association of REALTORS®. He is Broker/Partner of Sears Real Estate, specializing in single-family brokerage and property management. He has served NAR in numerous capacities, including as a President’s Liaison in 2019 and as NAR Vice President of Government Affairs in 2017.

Kevin has been recognized as an RPAC Major Investor since 2004 and has been a “Golden R” investor and member of the President’s Circle since 2007. He has twice been inducted into NAR’s RPAC Hall of Fame. He also served as the long-time Federal Political Coordinator to Bay State Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield).

Kevin chaired an RPAC Disbursements Presidential Advisory Group in 2021. In addition, he served as Chair of the NAR RPAC Trustees in 2011 and 2015 and Chair of the REALTOR® Party Trustees for State and Local Campaign Services Committee in 2013. In 2016, he chaired the REALTOR® Party of the Future Strategic Planning Work Group. Also in 2016, he was NAR’s Vice President for Region 1, comprised of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® elected Kevin President in 2010. In addition to serving in leadership, Kevin has been a member or an alternate of the MAR Board of Directors since 2000. In 2006, MAR named him REALTOR® of the Year and in 2015 he received the Milton H. Shaw Distinguished Service Award.

The REALTOR® Association of Pioneer Valley (Mass.) elected Kevin their president in 2005. He has chaired a number of the association’s committees and in 2006, the association named him their REALTOR® of the Year.

Kevin is also a champion for his community. In 2011, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick appointed him as Chairman of the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (the state’s real estate commission), a position he was reappointed to in 2016 by Gov. Charlie Baker.

In his hometown of Springfield, Kevin has been involved with the Rental Housing Association of Greater Springfield, the Forest Park Civic Association, the Springfield Rotary Club, the Cathedral High School Board of Trustees, the Chamber of Commerce, and was a Trustee of the Mason Wright Retirement Community.

Kevin received a B.A. in History from Providence College and earned his MBA from Western New England University.

Lawrence Yun

Chief Economist
National Association of REALTORS®

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun

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Lawrence Yun is Chief Economist and oversees the Research group at the National Association of REALTORS®. He supervises and is responsible for a wide range of research activity for the association including NAR's Existing Home Sales statistics, Affordability Index, and Home Buyers and Sellers Profile Report. He regularly provides commentary on real estate market trends for its 1.4 million REALTORS®.

Dr. Yun creates NAR's forecasts and participates in many economic forecasting panels, among them the Blue Chip Council and the Wall Street Journal Forecasting Survey. He also participates in the Industrial Economists Discussion Group at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. He appears regularly on financial news outlets, is a frequent speaker at real estate conferences throughout the United States, and has testified before Congress. Dr. Yun has also appeared as a guest on CSPAN's Washington Journal.

Dr. Yun received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland at College Park.