The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) recently announced major staffing changes. These include the elimination of 41 current positions and 20 open roles as well as multiple additions to the senior leadership team.
Impacted departments include Creative and Content Strategy; Digital Strategy; Public Relations and Communications; Meetings and Events; Member Development; Human Resources; Member Engagement; Member Experience; Research; Finance; and IT. Money from the budget will be reallocated toward the Advocacy, Research, Data and Education departments.
NAR said these changes are part of a “months-long strategy” to cut costs, streamline operations and reposition itself more generally.
“The industry is changing, and it is our responsibility to lead and change with it,” said CEO Nykia Wright. “As we continue managing our finances to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, we need to invest in the best people, adopt the right processes, and apply the most advanced, cost-effective technology while remaining prudent financial stewards of the enterprise.”
Meanwhile, the senior leadership team is growing with the promotion of Jonathan Waclawski to general counsel and senior vice president, Legal, plus three new additions: Jarrod Grasso as senior vice president of industry relations, Sherry Chris as special advisor of brokerages and Sharon White as chief human resources officer.
Other recent internal changes include the hiring of Matthew Cenedella as CFO, plus the promotion of Shannon McGahn to executive vice president, in addition to her ongoing role as chief advocacy officer, and the promotion of Mark Birschbach to executive vice president Strategic Business, Innovation and Technology.
All this news comes amid a period full of professional shake-ups at NAR.
In the past year, Nykea Wright was promoted from interim CEO to permanent CEO, following the former CEO Bob Goldberg’s early retirement; NAR’s Chief Legal Officer Katie Johnson also stepped down. In January 2024, then-NAR President Tracy Kasper resigned after receiving “a threat” regarding a “past personal, non-financial matter.” Kasper herself was in the role less than six months, taking over after President Kenny Parcell resigned in the wake of sexual harassment allegations.