A Bold Year of Growth: 2025 in Review

As I reflect on the end of my first full year as CEO of this exceptional company, I am filled with immense pride in all we’ve accomplished together, profound gratitude for all you’ve done to make it possible, and tremendous excitement for what we stand to achieve in 2026.

From the strategic realignment of our financial priorities and expansion into new markets and ancillary services opportunities to the investment in new agent-centered technology and marketing resources to the reimagining of our already formidable brand, Douglas Elliman has exemplified the commitment to innovation, excellence, and connection at the core of our culture.

I can’t put into words how excited I am for the future of our company. Whereas 2025 proved to be a year of great transition, 2026 will be a year of bold and transformative growth. While our competitors show their uncertainty by trying to be something else, we stay true to what’s always been our greatest strength: our agents.

Financial Strength and Strategic Expansion

Ranked, once again, as the most trusted real estate brokerage by the independent firm Lifestory Research, we not only saw our average price per transaction rise to $1.64 million—the highest average sales price in the country—but we also end the year debt-free with close to $130 million in cash that we earned, together. This is in stark contrast to our competitors. 

We began piloting Elli AI, a first-of-its-kind AI-assistant app, partnered with business-services platform RLTYco, rolled out the Marketproof Pro service in NYC, and introduced a new media management system to empower our agents with the technology and marketing tools and resources they need to lead. 

The same strategic approach has propelled the launch of Elliman Capital and the national expansion of our Estate, Trust, and Probate division.

Likewise, the launch of our Elliman Private Listings platform has enabled agents to provide sellers with strategic marketing options, market testing, discretion, and altogether elevated service.

With the launch of Elliman International—part of a deliberate strategy for global growth and expansion that reflects our values and upholds our exacting standards of client service—we are already on the ground with esteemed partners in France and Monaco and more openings in the pipeline. 

Key Appointments

This year was also a time to strengthen our executive team with talented leaders and innovators in the industry who are ready to take us to the next level—and will be joined soon by more appointments to come. 

We welcomed Chris Reyes as our Chief Technology Officer, celebrated the appointment of Wendy S. Purvey as Chief Strategy Officer, and cheered the recent return of Natalie Passerini as our new Chief Marketing Officer.

The additions of Rich Green and Meghan Kelley, who are responsible for strategic operations for global growth, have already been critical to our international expansion.

In Florida, our new Chief Operating Officer, Kellen Porter, spearheaded the launch of Elli AI, while the elevation of Melody Newberry to Chief Operating Officer of Long Island, the Hamptons, and the North Fork was a testament to her vital role there.

In November, we proudly welcomed renowned attorney and real estate investor Perry Weitz to Douglas Elliman Inc.’s Board of Directors.

A Culture of Connection

So many of the most memorable moments in the past year have been the times we’ve gathered together as friends and colleagues, from “Elliman on the Slopes” in Aspen and “The Florida Collection” new development showcase at the Waldorf Astoria in New York to the One Island event and our 29th consecutive outing with the Hampton Classic on Long Island over the summer. 

Our ENDEAVOR conference in Las Vegas in October was a huge success, and I truly believe the power of the experience and the connections it inspired will resonate widely and bolster the Elliman culture.

We’ve seen the values and principles of that culture in action throughout the year, from the fundraising efforts after the L.A. wildfires in January and the flooding in Kerry County, Texas, over the summer to our annual Elliman Gives Back weekend of service that included the 13th Annual Ride for Love in support of God’s Love We Deliver and the many agent-driven community initiatives happening over the holidays across our markets. 

And this is what makes me so confident in our continued success as the only brand-focused independent luxury real estate brokerage. While others are chasing scale and the illusion of safety in numbers, we are doubling down on substance, stability, and a plan for strategic growth that puts our peerless agents first, every step of the way.