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n a year marked by turmoil in the real estate industry, Leo Pareja has emerged as a defining force, tackling issues head-on since taking over as eXp Realty CEO in April. As part of Real Estate News' selection of the top newsmakers of 2024, Pareja is recognized for his significant impact and influence on the industry.

    Pareja's leadership style was put to the test this year, particularly after the NAR settlement announcement in March. He hosted a live webstream that drew nearly 50,000 concurrent viewers, making eXp one of the first major brokerages to address the issue publicly. Pareja and Holly Mabery, eXp's SVP of brokerage operations, credited their quick response to gathering feedback from agents over the weekend.

    This effort paid off, as Pareja was promoted to CEO just a few weeks later at 41 years old, making him one of the most powerful millennial leaders in real estate. Under his leadership, eXp also played a key role in the debate on buyer agency agreements. The company's short and simple agreement earned praise from consumer watchdog groups and legal experts.

    Pareja has continued to take a stand on industry issues, including NAR's Clear Cooperation Policy. While some luxury-focused brokerages opposed the rule, Pareja supported it, arguing that it maintains a fair and transparent marketplace in the best interest of consumers.

    In addition to addressing external challenges, Pareja has also focused on internal issues at eXp, such as retooling its revenue share model and addressing sexual misconduct cases. Despite these challenges, Pareja believes his "very fresh perspective" will help maintain and grow eXp's position near the top of the industry while fending off external threats alongside other leaders like Holly Mabery and Glenn Sanford.