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leonora Srugo, a trailblazing real estate agent and Questrom School of Business alumna (BSBA '08), has been making waves in the industry long before her Netflix debut on Selling the City. With an impressive track record that includes ranking #4 nationwide for sales volume and #13 for Gross Commission Income, she closed a staggering $75 million deal in 2023.
As the founder of Eleonora & Co., Srugo leads a top-performing team at Douglas Elliman, where she's spent 16 years climbing the ranks. But her impact extends far beyond luxury real estate – she also founded the Stuyvesant High School Alumni Mentoring Program in 2014, providing hands-on guidance to public school students in New York City.
Growing up in Soho's artist lofts with a single mother and jazz drummer father, Srugo was surrounded by creativity and hustle. Her mother, an actress-turned-restaurateur, taught her the art of reading people and serving others – skills that would serve her well in real estate. After graduating from BU, she started in entertainment marketing at E! News but quickly pivoted to real estate to tackle student loan debt.
Srugo's journey was marked by challenges, including navigating a male-dominated field as a young woman. But she persevered, driven by her passion for sales and her determination to pay off her loans. She credits her multilingual background – speaking Hebrew at home and studying German and Spanish in school – with helping her connect with clients.
As a mentor, Srugo is dedicated to empowering students from underrepresented backgrounds. Her Stuyvesant Alumni Mentoring Program provides guidance on networking skills, confidence-building, and professional development. "I saw a need for students to have more than just resources," she explains. "They needed guidance, support, and someone to believe in them."
When asked about her creative upbringing, Srugo credits her parents with instilling a sense of possibility and self-confidence. "They taught me that anything is possible, and I carried that mindset into my career." Her advice for current business students and recent grads? "Take real estate seriously as a career path, not just a side job. Analyze yourself, learn about management, and understand the concept of sales – then you'll have a shot at succeeding."
As Selling the City continues to captivate audiences, Srugo's experience has been validating, reaffirming her professionalism and relationship-focused approach. "It's nice to hear from women, children of immigrants, and women entrepreneurs who feel seen in the narrative," she says. With her unique blend of creativity, hustle, and determination, Eleonora Srugo is a true trailblazer in the world of real estate.
