Ascend, a unique leadership and succession planning program for real estate professionals, graduates 37 participants from the Anywhere family of brands, plus employees
MADISON, N.J., (April 22, 2024) – Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE: HOUS), a global leader in residential real estate services, today celebrated the ninth graduating class of ASCEND: The Executive Leadership Experience (‘Ascend’). This cohort included 37 trailblazing real estate leaders, including broker-owners from the company’s reputable brands, Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, CENTURY 21®, Coldwell Banker®, Coldwell Banker Commercial®, Corcoran®, ERA®, and Sotheby’s International Realty®, as well as employees from Anywhere, Anywhere Integrated Services, and Cartus.
As a one-of-a-kind program in the industry, Ascend is designed to provide the next generation of visionaries with the tools and acumen to help shape the future of real estate. Anywhere offers this program to its brand-affiliated broker-owners and rising senior-level leaders of large, multi-office franchisees, and distinguished individuals from its service businesses to empower companies to identify future executives and potential leadership successors.
“I’m proud of the remarkable leaders that have emerged from Ascend over the last several years and I’m looking forward to the ninth cohort building upon the legacy of the program during this critical time for our industry,” said Sue Yannaccone, president and chief executive officer of Anywhere Brands and Anywhere Advisors. “Ascend’s tools and growth opportunities empower our successors to become authentic leaders, reinforcing the notion that learning has no end, regardless of level or position.”
Ascend has now graduated more than 330 Anywhere-affiliated professionals and employees since its inception in 2015. The program features intensive learning experiences and challenges in the three core pillars: ‘Leading Self. Leading Others. Leading Organizations.’ The curriculum includes various in-person and virtual sessions that focus on themes, such as company culture, change management, business intelligence, diversity, recruiting and retention, and more. Taught by experts across Anywhere and the industry at large, Ascend elevates the talents of these future leaders.
Additionally, in 2022, Ascend expanded to offer a tailored professional development program for the diverse entrepreneurs who have participated in the Anywhere Inclusive Ownership Program. Known as ACCELERATE, Powered by Ascend, the initiative helped to drive professional growth for nearly 50 emerging leaders in its first two years.
“A heartfelt congratulations goes out to the 37 graduates that now are part of the esteemed Ascend Alumni Network,” said Mike Good, Anywhere executive champion for Ascend. “Through the evolving curriculum and diverse leaders who share their expertise, Anywhere is focusing on well-rounded visionary leaders to continue the legacy of their organizations and elevate the business as a whole.”
Feedback from 2024 Ascend Graduates:
My Ascend experience has empowered me as a leader to take charge of my growth. I was equipped with the tools to enhance my business acumen, and strategic influence, and taught how to navigate complex challenges. Ascend provides the platform to grow, adopt new skills, network, knowledge share, lean into diverse perspectives, and make lasting connections. After this experience I am forever changed and understand clearly how to deepen my impact on both my professional and personal life. –Paula Young, Anywhere
Having dedicated time to work on my business in an academic setting with peers and mentors has helped shape how I think about my leadership. It has given me guidelines on how to pull up a little more and see the bigger more long-term picture. –Christina Balas, Coldwell Banker Commercial
Every part of Ascend has been beneficial to my growth. The beginning helped me build my confidence in leading myself, the middle helped me learn the workings of the business such as M&A and how to lead others. The end is helping me lead with an action plan and confidence in myself. –Tiffany Kolbet, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Drakulich Realty
Unequivocally I would encourage others to attend Ascend. You properly discover who you are as a person/manager first and foremost. We think we know, but it’s not how you see yourself but how others see you and your actions. You also gain an understanding and style on how to approach different people and scenarios in order to garner the best results. Finally, the connections (and I keep coming back to it), are what truly make this program one of the best things I have gone through in my professional career. –Daniel Rayburn, Century 21 Astro
I am able to read the room better. I am grateful to vocalize my concerns and benefits better to help all those grow from my learnings, whether it be my agents, community leaders, kids, and fellow realtors in my area. –Christine Mallette, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Heritage
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About Anywhere Real Estate Inc.
Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE: HOUS) is moving the real estate industry to what’s next. A leader of integrated residential real estate services, Anywhere includes franchise, brokerage, relocation, and title and settlement businesses, as well as mortgage and title insurance underwriter minority owned joint ventures. The diverse Anywhere brand portfolio includes some of the most recognized names in real estate: Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, CENTURY 21®, Coldwell Banker®, Coldwell Banker Commercial®, Corcoran®, ERA®, and Sotheby’s International Realty®. Using innovative technology, data and marketing products, high-quality lead generation programs, and best-in-class learning and support services, Anywhere fuels the productivity of its approximately 188,300 independent sales agents in the U.S. and approximately 134,200 independent sales agents in 118 other countries and territories, helping them build stronger businesses and best serve today’s consumers. Recognized for 13 consecutive years as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, Anywhere has also been designated a Great Place to Work six years in a row, honored on the Forbes list of World’s Best Employers for three years, named one of America’s Most Innovative Companies by Fortune for two years, and featured on the inaugural TIME World’s Best Companies list.