The Power of Women in Real Estate: Why Representation at the Top Matters

Apr 21

Neda Navab

This post highlights the importance of female leadership in shaping the next era of real estate — with Neda Navab’s, President of Brokerage At Compass, perspective on how Compass is committed to elevating women at every level of the business.

Breaking the Mold: What Women in Real Estate Need From Their Brokerage (And Often Don’t Get)

NAR reports that women comprise 66% of the real estate industry, yet brokerages may not be effectively catering meeting women’s needs. Despite the vast potential of the real estate sector, are women's needs truly being met? We sat down with Neda Navab, a key figure in bringing Compass’ mission to life to delve into what women should expect from their brokerage partner – and where the gaps often lie.

Neda's unique perspective is shaped by her diverse career path and academic achievements. As the daughter of a real estate agent, she has a deep understanding of the industry and is committed to building a more supportive real estate ecosystem.

Q: Neda, you’ve had a fascinating career journey – you’ve consulted at McKinsey, you were the Director of Urban Systems at the Google subsidiary Sidewalk Labs, and you started a women’s business training program in Rwanda. What drew you to focus on the real estate industry, especially through the lens of supporting agents?

Neda: My connection to real estate is deeply personal – I’m the proud daughter of a real estate agent. My mom, who came to the US, fleeing from Iran during the Islamic Revolution, was able to build a life by nourishing a career in this industry. I saw firsthand the dedication, the challenges, and the incredible potential of this profession through her.

My experiences in the working world as a woman, and specifically working with female entrepreneurs in Rwanda, have highlighted the fundamental importance of strong support systems, work-life integration, and clear pathways for growth for individuals to thrive. I see a powerful opportunity at Compass to apply these learnings and build a truly empowering environment for agents.

Q: In your view, what are some of the key things women in real estate need from their brokerage that traditional models often fail to provide?

Neda: I see several critical areas where traditional brokerages often fall short:

Robust Support Systems: Women are inherently social; we derive energy from helping others, and care deeply about cultivating belonging in our communities. Traditional real estate firms can be too individualistic for that – they’re sharp-elbowed and competitive. At other brokerages, agents don't want to send documents to a printer for fear of someone taking them! I am proud that Compass has a thriving culture of affinity groups and that our employee teams create inclusive events where agents from around the country can build relationships and grow their support system.
Genuine Work-Life Integration: The real estate industry provides agents with the freedom to set their own schedules, but it also requires them to be readily available to their clients. A brokerage that truly understands and supports work-life integration, like Compass does through the Compass platform, allows for genuine flexibility – one of our Chicago agents shared that the Compass platform saves them up to 20 hours per week, ultimately making work easier and life more efficient.
Equitable Leadership Opportunities: While many agents are women, leadership within brokerages often isn't representative. I know as a woman that seeing a clear path for advancement, backed by training, resources, and fair consideration, is incredibly motivating. At Compass, nearly half of our Sales Managers are women, and we have some pretty incredible success stories of women joining as agents, becoming Sales Managers, and then joining our brokerage leadership team.
Relevant Training and Development: Beyond basic licensing, women often benefit from targeted training in areas like negotiation, building confidence in specific sectors, and mindset. Generic programs often miss these nuances, but we have several Compass-certified coaches that focus on offering coaching specifically tailored to these topics, which I see benefit Compass agents immensely.

Q: How is Compass specifically addressing these needs and working to "break the mold" for women in real estate?

Neda: At Compass, we’re intentionally building a different kind of brokerage:

Investing in Stronger Support: We’re heavily invested in technology to streamline workflows and free up agents’ time. Additionally, our offices are set up for collaboration, and our on-site, in-person support staff help foster growth and knowledge sharing. It’s about collective success.
Embracing True Work-Life Integration: Our technology platform is built for seamless remote work, recognizing the diverse needs of our agents. We focus on results, understanding that rigid schedules don't always align with modern life. This echoes the flexible work environments I saw thrive in the Bay Area tech scene.
Cultivating Female Leadership: We are committed to creating clear pathways for women in leadership. We actively promote mentorship and leadership development initiatives. Having been in leadership at Sidewalk Labs, I understand the importance of nurturing talent from within.

Q: From your perspective, what message would you give to women in real estate about what they should expect from their brokerage partner?

Neda: Don’t settle for the status quo. You deserve a brokerage that actively invests in your success – not just through commission splits, but through genuine support, tools and technology that allow you the time and flexibility to live a full life, and offers clear pathways for growth. The culture at your brokerage should empower you! Your success is the industry's success.

Q: Looking ahead, what’s your vision for the future of women in real estate, and how does Compass aim to contribute to that vision?

Neda: My vision is a real estate industry where women are not only well-represented but are also leading, innovating, and shaping the future of the market. At Compass, we aim to be a catalyst for this change. By continuously listening to our agents, investing in their development, and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, we want to empower more women to reach their full potential and become the leaders and innovators the industry needs. It’s about building a truly equitable and thriving ecosystem for everyone, and I’m incredibly proud to be a part of making that vision a reality at Compass.

Want to hear more? Join our upcoming webinar on how top women in real estate lead, scale, and thrive.

Compass does not recommend one particular strategy or guarantee of results.*