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usiness Insider’s annual Rising Stars list spotlights the next generation of real‑estate innovators. CEOs, presidents and partners nominate U.S.‑based professionals under 40 who distinguish themselves in fields ranging from construction to fintech. Editors then select the 18 most impactful figures, who collectively tackle everything from affordable housing to AI‑driven property management.
**Tarek Afifi, 28 – Corporate Finance & Investor Relations, Better Home & Finance**
Afifi credits his success to a deep belief in the American dream and Better’s mission to democratize homeownership. He shapes investor perception of the online lender, helping the company’s stock surge over 400% since he joined. Afifi sees a refinance boom in 2026 as the Fed cuts rates, positioning the firm for a “refi rally.”
**Maria Barrios, 35 – Executive Director of Operations & CFO, NAHREP**
Barrios drives NAHREP’s goal of expanding Hispanic homeownership, which hit a record 49.5% in 2023. She oversees 85 chapters, 30 in development, and 58,000 members, and has led initiatives like the AVANCE Global Conference and the National Hispanic Construction Alliance. Her leadership has delivered 30% annual revenue growth and 10 new chapters each year.
**Derek Fitzgerald, 33 – Senior Vice President of Operations, McCarthy**
A lifelong McCarthy employee, Fitzgerald rose from civil engineering graduate to SVP of operations in San Francisco. He has overseen projects from a 350,000‑sq‑ft naval hangar to a Remdesivir lab, blending technical expertise with a passion for people and collaboration.
**Nick Friedman, 29 – President of Home Equity, HomeLight**
Friedman left Williams College at 19 to launch Accept.inc with Y Combinator, later sold to HomeLight. He stayed on, eventually becoming president of HomeLight’s home‑equity division, overseeing the Buy Before You Sell product. Friedman credits face‑to‑face networking over social media for his success.
**Joey Gumataotao, 28 – Co‑Founder & COO, Mogul Club**
Gumataotao pioneered fractional real‑estate investing, allowing non‑accredited investors to buy as little as $250 in properties. He co‑founded Mogul Club in 2022 with Alex Blackwood, both former Goldman Sachs colleagues, to make multifamily investing accessible. He remains hands‑on in acquisitions and fundraising.
**Zoe Heyman, 31 – Vice President of Investor Relations, Basis**
Heyman manages investor communications, publishes the annual Corporate Responsibility Report, and implements tech to streamline deal tracking. She also leads environmental‑justice fundraisers and supports minority‑led institutions through Basis’ Capital Connect Initiative.
**Jed Miciak, 35 – Senior Vice President, Revenue & Marketing, Landing**
Miciak transitioned from Hilton’s analytics team to Landing’s SVP of marketing, growing the portfolio from 100 to 500 properties nationwide. He built AI models for predictive maintenance, rebranded the company, and aims to drive marketing efficiency toward an IPO.
**James Murray, 35 – Director of Design, Samara**
Murray directs design for Samara’s backyard ADUs, applying “empathetic affordances” to create functional, stylish spaces. His work has secured over $100 million in project value in California, addressing the housing‑cost crisis with modular solutions.
**Griffin O’Brien, 31 – CEO & Co‑Founder, Estate Media**
O’Brien launched Estate Media in 2023 to fuse real‑estate expertise with content creation, partnering with talent like Josh Flagg. The company reaches 35 million viewers across podcasts, newsletters, and social platforms, bridging traditional media and real‑estate storytelling.
**Michael O’Connor, 30 – Co‑Founder, The Exclusive Group, Douglas Elliman**
O’Connor has sold over $1 billion in South Florida luxury properties, earning the firm top sales rankings. He handles high‑net‑worth clients with relentless availability, prioritizing volume and client service.
**Alexander Redfearn, 36 – Founder, President & CEO, Redfearn Capital**
Redfearn launched the firm in 2014 with no prior experience, building an $800 million portfolio of industrial real‑estate assets. He attributes success to persistence and follow‑through, especially during economic downturns.
**Alexis Rivas, 32 – Co‑Founder & CEO, Cover**
Rivas co‑founded Cover to produce prefab homes with automotive‑style precision. The company builds ADUs and full‑size custom homes, completing a fire‑damaged house in 2025. Rivas views the shift to factory‑built homes as a solution to the U.S. housing shortage.
**JJ Rivers, 34 – Principal Studio Director, Gensler**
Rivers grew from a blue‑collar background to a 10‑year tenure at Gensler, now leading a 60‑person studio in Washington, D.C. He oversees mixed‑use projects like Under Armour’s headquarters, navigating regional architectural differences.
**Luke Robinson, 34 – North America Regional President, WeWork**
Robinson guided WeWork’s enterprise expansion and post‑COVID recovery, emphasizing transparency with landlords and members. He expects a rebound in the commercial market as remote work stabilizes and the company refines its offerings.
**Amy Rossetti, 32 – Founder, R[AR]E Public Relations**
Rossetti launched a boutique PR firm in 2020, now serving 22 real‑estate clients across Beverly Hills, New York, and potentially South Florida. She aims to become the leading real‑estate PR agency in the U.S. within five years.
**Erik Rutter, 33 – Managing Partner, Oak Row Equities**
Rutter co‑founded Oak Row in 2018, focusing on South Florida. The firm now manages a $3.9 billion portfolio, attracting tenants like Spotify and Amazon, and continues to grow amid a resilient Miami market.
**Erica Sachse, 33 – Co‑Founder, Powered by Development Marketing Team**
Sachse moved from Australia to the U.S. to bring advanced data‑driven marketing to real‑estate. She founded Snaplistings in 2019 and Powered by DMT in 2021, helping clients make informed, automated decisions.
**Sofia Zavala, 31 – Senior Associate, Pickard Chilton**
Raised in Paraguay, Zavala focuses on large‑scale urban projects, including the 530 Howard luxury tower in San Francisco and the Ritz‑Carlton Houston. She emphasizes design that shapes skylines and supports community impact.
