Real estate is about more than transactions—it’s about people, communities and creating positive change. RISMedia’s 2025 Newsmakers in the Crusaders category are proving that success and social responsibility go hand in hand. From advocating for fair housing to championing REALTOR safety and disaster relief, these industry professionals are using their platforms to drive meaningful change. Their passion and dedication are shaping a better future for real estate and the communities they serve.
RISMedia’s eighth annual class of Real Estate Newsmakers demonstrated a wide array of accomplishments in 2024. We applaud their widespread efforts to educate, lead and restore confidence in the invaluable role of the real estate professional.
Let’s take a look at some of the Champions of a Better Way, and their contributions to the industry in 2024.
Alexandru Mihai
General Counsel, Realty ONE Group
Mihai guided the company and its agents through a year infamously filled with litigation, both negotiating a settlement and holding regular updates so that agents would understand news about antitrust and how to act in compliance. See full profile.
Kelly Shaw
REALTOR® & Team Leader, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties
Shaw seamlessly blends her passion for real estate and healthcare, nominated in 2024 for the prestigious Daisy Award in Nursing for her work in behavioral health, helping children, adults and geriatric patients with mental health needs. See full profile.
Biana Arentz
REALTOR®, Coldwell Banker Realty
A compassionate leader and advocate, the community-driven Arentz launched the “REELtors Hooked on Giving Back” initiative in 2024, raising over $5 million for cancer survivorship programs. See full profile.
Eddie Blanco
Broker, Stratwell Real Estate
A first-generation Cuban immigrant and real estate leader, Blanco spearheaded MIAMI’s 2024 efforts to educate 60,000 members on MLS changes while driving media outreach and continuing his impactful role in local and national real estate organizations. See full profile.
Webb Jay
Chair, Greater Southern MLS
Jay spearheaded transformative efforts to create a borderless, broker-driven MLS across Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, which, under his leadership, became the first MLS in Louisiana to eliminate Clear Cooperation rules. See full profile.
Cliff Long
CEO, Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association
Leading one of Florida’s largest trade organizations, Long championed diversity, equity and innovation in 2024, growing membership to over 21,000, expanding multilingual offerings and opening a state-of-the-art headquarters to empower REALTORS®. See full profile.
Victor Lund
Founder & CEO, WAV Group
A premier real estate industry consultant via the WAV Group, Lund encouraged the industry to rethink data strategies and seek redress on clear cooperation as the ground shifted around them in 2024, while also helping to relaunch the Broker Public Portal. See full profile.
Carissa Mucci
Vice President of Franchise Performance, ERA Real Estate
A master strategist and collaborator with a passion for growth and a knack for building meaningful relationships, Mucci’s commitment to people-first strategies is what sets her apart as she works with the company’s top brokerages to set bold goals, navigate challenges and unlock new levels of success. See full profile.
Greg Sexton
COO, CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC
An avid supporter of Easterseals, Sexton continued to strengthen ties between the organization and CENTURY 21 in 2024, playing a key role in spearheading the latest annual global giving initiative and citing the privilege of helping those in the disabled community. See full profile.
Patricia Delinois
CEO & Owner, Premier Elite Realty
A highly accomplished member of the Miami real estate scene, Delinois opened a fourth office for Premier Elite Realty in 2024, but her proudest accomplishments were her anti human-trafficking activism, producing the documentary “Sisters of Vengeance,” which was honored at the Cannes Film Festival. See full profile.
RISMedia’s 2025 Real Estate Newsmakers showcase is sponsored by:
Gold Sponsor
Real Estate Webmasters
Bronze Sponsors
American Home Shield
HouseAmp
Lofty
RPR®
Stay tuned to RISMedia.com for ongoing coverage and close-up interviews with our 2025 Real Estate Newsmakers.
