RISMedia’s 2020 Real Estate Newsmakers: Meet the Trendsetters

Last month, RISMedia named some 300 real estate professionals as 2020 Real Estate Newsmakers. Each of these individuals—separated into eight categories—was either nominated by you, the RISMedia reader, or chosen by our editors.

These people made newsworthy contributions within their own communities or the industry as a whole. They have dedicated their lives to a better real estate process. Here, we highlight five honorees who were chosen as Newsmakers in the Trendsetters category:

Ross Clark, Team Leader at The Clark Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties

As a REALTOR®, sales associate and team leader, Ross Clark is very active on social media and he interacts with clients and his following as often as possible. Recently, he secured a social influencer for an open house and tour that led to the sale of a luxury property in La Jolla, Calif.

"I feel blessed and lucky to be able to serve so many wonderful people," says Clark.

Ayo Haynes, Lead Agent/Associate Broker at Haynes Velasquez Team, Halstead Real Estate

Ayo Haynes is an associate broker in New York and Connecticut, and lead agent of the Haynes Velasquez Team, a bilingual group specializing in residential, commercial and new development acquisitions. Nicknamed "The Resourceful Broker," she uses her professional network to link clients to resources that help them achieve their goals.

"When you have a genuine desire to connect people, the ideas flow and out-of-the-box marketing solutions follow," says Haynes.

Kimberly Hastie, Salesperson at Halstead Real Estate

Kimberly Hastie, a salesperson with Halstead Real Estate, has successfully used videos featuring musical performances to attract viewers and sell homes. Halstead's Concert Series videos are shot in collaboration with the JHM Jams video channel and uploaded to Instagram and Facebook and to JHM Jams' Instagram account.

"As far as listings, I incorporate these videos as part of my 'pitch' to homeowners," Hastie said in a Housecall interview. "All of those owners were excited to have a unique video with these great artists showcasing their talents in their home."

Sevin Murdock, Broker Associate at Progressive Property Group, LLC

Sevin Murdock, a broker associate with Progressive Property Group, LLC in Colorado Springs, Colo., has set a higher standard for the industry and community. Even though she is only 20 years old, Murdock has completed more transactions than many rookies twice her age. Additionally, in just two years, she created a successful nationwide social media campaign.

"While I have profound gratitude for my accomplishments, it is disappointing for me to see how easily obtainable reaching a higher standard of doing better business is in our industry," Murdock says.

Kelley Dunn-Feliz, Salesperson at Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

With a background in professional film and television, Kelley Dunn-Feliz has used her powerful marketing and presentation skills to become a successful REALTOR® in the Phoenix, Md., office of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Along with a team of seasoned professionals, Dunn-Feliz provides clients with professional design and staging services.

"More than 97 percent of today's buyers start their search on the internet, so we give our clients' homes an advantage with fantastic photography and videography," says Dunn-Feliz.