MULTIPLE BEST-SELLING AUTHOR AND COACH
Lisa B
Releasing two books this year, as well as curating the popular group Let’s Talk About Real Estate, Lisa B is “an inspirational leader who you can turn to for advice and thought provoking conversation.”
Elite Agent lists
Top 50 Industry Influencers 2019
“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and you have to inspire team-mates and customers…” – Robin Sharma
Elite Agent’s 2019 real estate industry influencers have moved us forward in different ways; amplifying their voices in the industry to create change through clever innovation or by coaching others to succeed. As a fitting end to 2019, we would like to acknowledge those who have inspired our readers over the past 12 months.
BENSON AUCTIONS
Stu Benson
We have all come to #TrustTheProcess when Stu talks auctions. This year, he took a stand in support of mortgage brokers after the Royal Commission, with one of his supporters commenting, “this guy epitomises real estate, he lives and breathes it and always puts the community first.”
REAL+
Fiona Blayney
Property managers and real estate leaders across the country have described Fiona as an inspiration. Fiona is known for being an energetic force for good. “Fiona helps agents across the whole of Australia to maximise their business; she is helpful in times of trouble and to agents when they are flying high.”
ACTIVE AGENTS/BDM ACADEMY
Tara Bradbury
Tara Bradbury continues to be on the list of most admired coaches. “She is highly motivated and has an explosive passion for business development!”
PRINCIPAL, WISEBERRY HERITAGE
Darin Butcher
The Wiseberry Heritage team nominated Darin several times over for his ability to motivate and inspire on a daily basis. “The knowledge and intelligence he demonstrates is limitless, but the real magic lies in his genuine passion to share what he knows and drive others to their success and happiness.”
DIGITAL LIVE
Steve Carroll
Never has one man managed to get so many folks in Lycra for a good cause. While he finished up at realestate.com.au in November this year, Steve remains the spearhead of everyone’s favourite digital education program, Digital Live, with the proceeds going to Hands Across the Water.
MINT REAL ESTATE/OPENN NEGOTIATION
Peter Clements
The REIWA small Residential Agency of the Year winner has had quite a year, with the growth of Openn Negotiation and having joined the team at Eview. “Peter has, and will, change the lives of thousands of agents and millions of sellers and buyers now and in the future.”
COOLEY AUCTIONS
Damien Cooley
Damien Cooley is not just one of Australia’s most recognised and booked property auctioneers, he is also regularly involved in charities such as Youth off the Streets and The House for Life Charity program. He is a regular on The Block and has also launched his online auction service Auction Now.
FRANCHISE DIRECTOR RE/MAX AUSTRALIA
Joel Davoren
As Franchise Director for RE/MAX Australia, Joel’s role is to create and facilitate the experience of opportunities. To the people around him, he is a “consummate professional, who really gets it.”
COACH
Jess Densley
Jess Densley is a real estate mentor with a passion for success. “Jess has been a massive help to my business and many businesses all over the country.”
STARR PARTNERS
Douglas Driscoll
The Starr Partners CEO manages to create a stir with provocative industry commentary, which many folks cannot help but click on. But one reader commented Douglas, “has a passion for improving the industry and uses his position to help make positive change.”
COACH
Claudio Encina
One of the industry’s most popular trainers has had a big 2019, increasing his band of merry followers, which include CEOs at some of the large groups in the industry. “Claudio has influenced me to get back on track as the recent market had taken its toll on me. He took me by the hand. Now I feel I’m back because of his help for both myself and my team.”
EVIEW GROUP
Manos and Maria Findikakis
Having started Eview in 2006, Manos and Maria Findikakis have brought their wealth of business knowledge and a great sense of family into everything they do. With an open door policy and their incurable appetite to give back, they are everyone’s real estate family.
CORONIS
Jodi Ford
Jodi Ford is striving to use innovation to make a difference in the property management industry, including new businesses such as Coronis Now and Coronis Core. She has a passion to empower women to be independent professionally and personally, and runs free seminars to help reach that goal.
MAP REAL ESTATE
Michael Furlong
Michael works in the PM space to help make business owners make more money with less effort. “Michael is a systems genius and he has time for everyone. He is always willing to share, motivate and elevate those around him and the profession of property management.”
INDEPENDENT/GILL&HOOPER
Hannah Gill
Hannah’s peers describe her as “an outstanding leader and mentor and it is difficult to think of anyone else who would come close to being as deserving to be recognised in this way. She is an exceptional director and never fails to go above and beyond for her team.”
HARCOURTS
Irene Green
The Director of Professional Development at Harcourts International was this year an AREAs finalist for Most Influential Woman in the Property Industry. She launched Inspirational Women in Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America – a program to encourage more women to take on the fear of public speaking and to help others. The program currently has 11 ambassadors around the globe.
CORE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
Vasili Hadzellis
Vasili is well loved in the real estate industry, and described as having “endless energy and enthusiasm - with integrity that is above reproach. This being said, his professional attitude and personal dedication to make the industry not only highly regarded but fun is commendable.”
FIRST NATIONAL BYRON BAY
Chris Hanley AO
After an Australian gunman opened fire in Christchurch this year, Chris Hanley decided to do something about it. He created a conference which ended up raising more than NZD $150,000 for the families of the victims, which will continue next year in 2020.
HARRIS REAL ESTATE
Phil Harris
Phil Harris is a thought leader in the area of systems, processes, training and innovation and is regularly sought after for leadership advice. He continues to be a big advocate of personal mastery and wellbeing; if you’ve tried infrared saunas at all this year, the original source was probably Phil Harris.
SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS AND LIFE
Shane Kempton
The Drive Performance Coach has had a profound impact on many businesses he has coached this year. “He helped us to implement a set of KPIs that have propelled our property management business into the stratosphere.”
HOME.BYHOLLY
Holly Komorowski
Awarded the gold AREA this year for Residential Agent of the Year, Holly is an industry leader many wish to emulate. Known for her innovative marketing programs, mentoring and people-focused attitude, the team at home.byholly has quadrupled over the past three years.
THE AGENCY
Matt Lahood
With The Agency West Coast completing the Top Level acquisition earlier this year, The Agency ends 2019 strongly, with a successful cap raise of $4.5 million and strong leadership in Matt Lahood. “Matt is an inspirational leader and his skill in sales and people management is without equal in the industry.”
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TRAINING ACADEMY
Kasey McDonald
Through PM Training Academy, Kasey McDonald has increased her following over the past 12 months - helping large and small businesses become more efficient and promoting growth.
RAY WHITE
Mark McLeod
Ray White’s Chief of Growth is one of the industry’s true thought leaders, continually sought out for his honest, down-to-earth, pragmatic approach to business and real estate.
CEO, REIQ
Antonia Mercorella
The legal eagle turned Real Estate Institute CEO is always in the media championing the rights of REIQ members and agents in Queensland. “Antonia has been a powerhouse of the Queensland Real Estate Industry, driving the digital and cultural transformation over the past 12 months.”
MITCHELL PT
Hayley Mitchell
Through her various training events and social media platforms, Hayley Mitchell remains a force for good in property management who is continuously lobbying for better career paths for PMs. “She is an industry expert, support person, influencer and all round beautiful lady.”
MORTON
Ewan Morton
Morton was an AREAs finalist for Agency of the Year and as a leader Ewan Morton stands tall among his peers. “Ewan is a progressive leader who is innovative in his own business and strategic in his leadership of our industry as a whole.”
NOVAK PROPERTIES
Lisa Novak
Lisa gained a myriad of followers this year for her threeminute appraisal and continues to set benchmarks in social influence for selling and marketing property.
OBRIEN REAL ESTATE
Dean O’Brien
Under the combined leadership of Dean O’Brien, Darren Hutchins and Stavros Ambatzidis, O’Brien Real Estate has continued to impress in a challenging 12 months. Dean is described as “an outstanding innovator with systems, strategies and is always thinking well ahead of the curve.”
OUWENS CASSERLY REAL ESTATE
Alex Ouwens + Nathan Casserly
Under the leadership of Alex Ouwens and Nathan Casserly, the company has continued to grow, raising money for charities, increasing volumes and property under management and achieving record staff numbers and engagement scores. They regularly host other businesses in the real estate field who want to learn from them, and are sought after thought leaders among some industry giants.
COACH AND TRAINER
Josh Phegan
Speaker, coach, trainer, app developer and international mentor; “Josh trains the industry who’s who and has managed to assist these agents and franchises reach goals and achieve them year after year.”
LAING + SIMMONS (DEXAR GROUP)
Leanne Pilkington
Awarded AREAs 2019 Most Influential Woman in the Property Industry, Leanne continues to play a role that is passionate, forward thinking and genuine caring about the people around her.
REA GROUP
Kurtis Pirotta
The realestate. com.au property management advocate continues to “go above and beyond in the PM world and should be recognised for his efforts.”
THE AGENCY
Jesse Raeburn
Jesse Raeburn and his partner Mel weren’t the overall winners of The Block this year, but they held their own and won numerous challenges. He’s now selling the last two remaining apartments in The Gatwick, just in case any of you are keen renovators.
MRT TRAINING
Tony Rowe
Our favourite veteran of industry training has had his work cut out this year with many changes to legislation around the country. “Tony has been amazing this year by keeping me up to date with all of the legislation changes and licensing requirements. He is also extremely committed to all agents raising their level of education within the industry.”
RAY WHITE, TRG (THE RUBINSTEIN GROUP)
Gavin Rubinstein
Still the undisputed #1 in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs, this year brought major change as Gavin left his home of 10 years and opened up shop in Woollahra. He continues to set the standard in excelling in the ‘digital interview.’
BOX BROWNIE
Peter Schravemade
Since Box Brownie was accepted into the NAR Reach program, Peter Schravemade has waved the Aussie flag at numerous conferences both here and abroad. “He has significantly grown the profile of Australian real estate in the US.”
RE/MAX ELITE
Dave Skow
The Wagga business owner is still at the top of everyone’s list for a friendly ear or some simple advice. He is described as someone who “is always giving his time and knowledge and is also a really great guy.”
KEY2 PROPERTY
Tameka Smith
Tameka works tirelessly in the community and with clients/tenants/stakeholders to constantly improve the property management and rental experience for all. “She has been a key influencer in Tasmania for the past few years. A true leader and a wonderful businesswoman working for the community.”
CORONIS NOW
Jodie Stainton
Jodie is described as an “amazing woman with a vision.” Through Coronis Now and some pure determination, she is giving women the opportunity to own their own business, which would not normally be financially achievable for them.
MCGRATH
Mat Steinwede
Mat Steinwede is one of the most “followed” agents on social media for his informative and entertaining Motivational Mondays as well as his regular daily documentaries. As McGrath’s #1 agent for three years running, there is probably something in that for everyone. “Just check out his Instagram, any agent can follow this, adapt it to themselves and absolutely turn up their results and change their life. All done for no monetary gain.”
MARKET BUY
David Stewart
The Market Buy director and founder has spent significant time both here and in the USA continuously improving his product and tweaking it for a bigger market. David is described as someone who doesn’t just “talk the talk, he walks the walk.”
AUSTRALIAN REAL ESTATE
Josh Tesolin
At 23 Josh Tesolin completed his first full year in sales in 2018 writing more than $1.1m in GCI. Working at Australian Real Estate – Quakers Hill, where the median house price is $750,000, he has achieved numerous record sales this year, plus racked up many more followers on his Facebook page.
REAL ESTATE BRILLIANCE
Ryan Thompson
The WA performance coach continues to help agents reach their full potential. He is described as “an excellent coach and trainer committed to making the industry and the people in it better.”
PROPERTY AUCTION SERVICES
Rob Trovato
The director of Property Auction Services continues to make a difference both in his auctioneering business and as a mentor. “Rob is one of my mentors in sales/auction process and strategy. He has helped me become the million dollar agent I am today.”
GLENN TWIDDLE TRAINING
Glenn Twiddle
Glenn continues to be passionate about real estate and ensuring agents remain relevant. He is described as someone who “is incredibly giving of his time and will go out of his way to assist in personal development regardless of whether or not you’re a paying student.”
RAY WHITE
Dan White
A fourth generation member of the White family, Dan is responsible for leading and growing Australasia’s biggest property group on a day-to-day basis across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, PNG, China, UAE and the US. More than 1000 offices in the group look to Dan for his leadership and strategic vision
@HOME PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Michelle Williams
With a tribe of loyal followers in Tasmania who look to her for advice and support, Michelle continues to inspire others outside her business through running a successful Facebook group called Launceston Property Investors. It’s full of valuable information about the local market and investment tips.
REA GROUP
Owen Wilson
Owen Wilson stepped into the real estate spotlight when he moved into the role of REA Group CEO in January this year amidst arguably the worst downturn in the property market in the past 10 years. In a recent interview with Elite Agent, Owen said “My message is stay the course; if we work together, I think we’re going to succeed long after this cycle has become history.”
* Lists are in alphabetical order. Influencers must first be nominated via an Elite Agent reader survey, with the editorial team taking into consideration reader comments, number of times nominated, the year’s achievements, innovation, digital following, team size, events and speaking engagements throughout the last 12 months before curating the final list.