NAR names Nykia Wright permanent CEO

Nykia Wright has been named the permanent CEO of the National Association of Realtors after serving in an interim capacity in one of the most turbulent times in NAR’s recent history. 

Initially appointed to the role in November 2023, after allegations of sexual harassment and toxic culture sparked pushback against executives and the resignation of predecessor Bob Goldberg, Wright has more recently appeared as a voice of the trade group as it navigates changes to its commission sharing guidelines after landmark antitrust litigation.

Wright stepped into the role two days after a jury found NAR guilty of colluding to inflate commission costs to sellers. Wright has since overseen the ensuing $418 settlement agreement that came with proposed practice changes that went into effect on Aug. 17.

President Kevin Sears called Wright “instrumental in leading us up to this point.”

“Her unwavering commitment to our members make her the ideal steward for guiding our association through the evolving real estate landscape,” he said. 

Wright has served as public-facing advocate for a trade group whose members have felt besieged by accusations of anticompetitive behavior. 

In a public February video entitled “Setting the Record Straight,” Wright said the group “has been vilified by certain plaintiffs’ lawyers, sensationalized by a few reporters and misrepresented by people who know little about this business” and added that “NAR does not set commissions, and it never will.”

The proposed settlement, which a judge granted preliminary approval in April, is expected to receive final approval this November. 

Wright also took over months after three women accused former NAR president Kenny Parcell of sexual harassment and creating a toxic workplace environment. Tracey Kasper replaced Parcell in the wake of the allegations, but lasted just five months before being replaced by Sears at the start of this year. 

“I am clear eyed about our past and present, and I am hyper-focused on building trust with NAR’s many stakeholders so that we can be successful in ensuring we are bringing the best of NAR to each and every one of our members,” Wright said in a statement. 

Wright previously served as the CEO of the Chicago Sun-Times during its merger with Chicago Public Media WBEZ. She has also served as a business consultant, and co-founded an audio and audience engagement software startup.

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