Above, Sherry Chris
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) announced Jan. 6 that it has engaged industry veteran Sherry Chris as an independent consultant and special advisor to NAR CEO Nykia Wright. In this role, Chris will provide strategic counsel on strengthening relationships, building trust and enhancing collaboration with brokerage leaders.
“Sherry brings unmatched expertise and a unique, well-informed perspective on the real estate brokerage landscape, which will be critical as we enhance NAR’s collaboration with industry partners and drive stronger alignment across the sector,” said Wright. “Her ability to build meaningful connections and offer forward-thinking perspectives will help guide NAR’s approach to meeting the complex and varied needs of the real estate community.”
Chris’ limited scope as part of her advisory role to NAR will include working closely with Wright to engage one-on-one with brokerage leaders, soliciting their needs, concerns and perspectives on the future of the industry. Their outreach will focus on fostering open dialogue and identifying opportunities for NAR to better support brokerages and their agents.
“I am honored to work alongside Nykia and the leadership team at NAR during such an important time for our industry,” said Chris. “My goal is to better understand the concerns and priorities of brokerage leaders across the country and help create solutions that drive trust, value and collaboration for the very many important stakeholders in real estate.”
Chris is an 18-year veteran of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., where she most recently served as executive advisor. Previously, she was the CEO of Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate (BHGRE) and ERA Real Estate, and earlier as COO for Coldwell Banker Real Estate. She is widely regarded for her success in guiding the BHGRE and ERA brands’ strategic growth, franchise sales and marketing innovation, and mentoring new generations of real estate leaders.
Under her leadership, BHGRE grew significantly across over 40 U.S. states and six countries, establishing a unique position as real estate’s lifestyle brand. ERA saw similar growth during Chris’ tenure, expanding its reach to 43 U.S. states and 34 countries.
“Having known Sherry for nearly a decade, I know firsthand that she is well equipped to provide the kind of leadership and insight that comes from years of experience, rising the ranks from a practitioner to a branch and regional manager, and finally as a leader at the helm of several major brokerages and brands – a unique perspective that speaks to the diverse needs of our members,” said Kevin Sears, president of NAR. “Her extensive leadership experience with brokerages both large and small provides her with a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities across the industry. Sherry’s ability to build relationships and foster collaboration will be instrumental in strengthening connections and ensuring NAR remains a trusted partner for the entire real estate community.”
In addition to her C-Suite roles, Chris has been deeply engaged with the real estate industry’s most impactful member and advocacy organizations, including NAR’s Real Estate Services Advisory Group, where she previously held the role of board Chair, and The Realty Alliance, for which she served as its first female board chair. She is also a founding corporate member of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. She is also a member of the Asian Real Estate Association of America and a past board member of its education foundation.
For her many contributions to the industry, Chris was inducted into the RISMedia Newsmakers Hall of Fame in 2021, and was named a Luminary in RISMedia’s Newsmakers list.
