Bess Freedman

Bess Freedman solidified her status as a definitive voice for industry ethics and consumer protection in 2025. As CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, she spearheaded the impactful #LetsBeClear campaign, a bold initiative advocating for the National Association of Realtors®’ Clear Cooperation Policy. Her “no-nonsense” critique of private listing networks—articulated through high-profile opinion pieces and national broadcasts on CNBC and Bloomberg—challenged the rise of pocket listings, arguing that such practices undermine market transparency and seller equity. This unwavering commitment to a fair and open marketplace led to her selection as the opening keynote speaker for RISMedia’s 37th Annual CEO & Leadership Exchange in Washington, D.C.

Beyond her advocacy, Freedman’s influence reached the highest levels of financial media as the only residential real estate executive appointed to CNBC’s Inside Wealth Advisory Board. Under her leadership, Brown Harris Stevens maintained its dominance as a top-four brokerage in New York City by sales volume.

“I truly love helping people succeed, whether it’s guiding a new agent to the next level or giving experienced agents better tools,” she says. “Real estate is all about relationships, and that is why I love what I do.”

Her focus on facts over fear-mongering continues to provide strategic clarity for more than 2,300 agents across the East Coast.