Brianna Wiest 

Brianna Wiest is the bestselling author of 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think, The Mountain Is You, The Pivot Year, and more. Her books have sold millions of copies, regularly appear on global bestseller lists, and are currently being translated into 40+ languages. She has a B.A. in English and an Honorary Doctorate in Literature, both from Elizabethtown College.

Alicia Shepherd 
VP, KW Commercial, CEO LAUNCH Commercial Real Estate Network
Superpower: Helping you start a career as a CRE agent or investor

Alicia is passionate about her mission to make the commercial real estate industry a welcome space for all. Her vision is to transform the industry, to enable the inclusion of more diversity and opportunity, by improving how those in the industry learn, how they serve their client, and how they function within the brokerage community.

Alicia has multiple leadership positions within the commercial real estate industry including: Vice President for KW Commercial which is aggressively expanding and has over 2,000 agents nationwide. In her role, she is charged with developing and coordinating KW Commercial’s various resources in order to make them the industry leader in training, as they are within the residential real estate sphere.

Alicia is the CEO for LAUNCH Commercial Real Estate Network, where she leads a team of commercial real estate experts to provide operational, administrative, research, transactional, and database needs of a commercial real estate agent. Rather than follow outdated commercial brokerage practices, LAUNCH empowers a commercial agent to have institutional-level support, without the hefty financial tethers a traditional commercial regal estate brokerage requires.

As founder and developer of a highly regarded and industry-leading commercial agent training program, Alicia, along with the other Nucleus Commercial trainers, teach agents how to build a real estate brokerage business for listing, buying, and leasing commercial real estate, through a comprehensive, foundational curriculum, that teaches practical and usable skills, along with the path to build a flushing business.

Alicia is Head Commercial Coach for MAPS Coaching where she is developing, for the underserved market of commercial real estate agents, a team of commercial coaches with exceptional experience within the industry and developing multiple programs that serve those agents at all levels of their businesses.

Throughout her career, Alicia has helped clients through more than $680 Million in sales, and another $540 million in debt equity opportunities. She has coached or mentored more than 100 agents to launch thriving commercial real estate industry careers.

Fun Fact: Alicia is a mom of four with 3 of her babies being triplet girls!

Amanda Churchwell
Founder, Hello Leverage
Superpower: Energy

Amanda is the founder of Hello Leverage, a business she created 12 years ago with a vision to work from home and enhance her family’s quality of life. Driven by a personal mission to improve the lives of everyone her business touches, Amanda is dedicated to providing growth and personal development opportunities for as many people as possible. With 23 years of experience in the real estate industry and an extensive background in customer service, Amanda’s passion lies in building a solutions-based business that connects with people and fosters lasting relationships.

Amanda has been married for 19 years and is a proud mother of three children, all 13 and under. Her family also includes two beloved pets—a cat and a dog.

Amanda became an Empire Circle Member in June 2024.

Amber Waas
Dave Knight Real Estate Group
Superpower: Creating 5-Star Experiences

Amber Wass is a dynamic businesswoman and a fourth-generation Southern California Real Estate Broker with over 20 years of experience.

She brings a unique perspective to her work, combining her deep knowledge of the real estate market with a genuine commitment to providing 5-star experiences to each and every client. Amber has been instrumental in her team’s growth and success as one of the top-ranked real estate teams in Los Angeles.

Her passion for fostering meaningful connections extends beyond her clients. Amber is deeply committed to building deep relationships and she’s dedicated to supporting others in their personal and professional journeys. Amber believes in lifting others up and creating a community where everyone can thrive.

Family plays a central role in Amber’s life. She is deeply committed to her children and is dedicated to creating enriching family experiences and lasting memories. Amber’s holistic approach to success integrates professional achievement with personal fulfillment, embodying a life of purpose and connection.

Amber is a Founding Member of the Empire Circle, joining in January 2022.

Bekki Lowrance
Owner, Freedom Brands
Superpower: Critical Thinking

Seasoned Professional: Bekki is a business owner with nearly a decade of experience in residential real estate, with focusing her most recent few years on small business acquisitions through her holding company, Freedom Brands.

Successful Entrepreneur: Acquiring seven companies over the past 3 years, Freedom Brands employs 60 team members and generates $20 million in yearly revenue.

Passionate Advisor: Bekki is committed to helping people work and invest smarter, not harder. Offering expertise and insights to how to find, complete due diligence and successfully purchase small businesses, she’s a pro at creative acquisition structuring, especially when looking for low or no money out of pocket deals. Many of her principles apply to real estate acquisitions as well.

Family-Centric: A wife and mama of three energetic boys, she strives for a life of harmony and finds this an ongoing pursuit, usually including at least one monthly meltdown. Haha! Balance isn’t something to be found once and anchored upon, in her experience, it’s a daily dance of give and take and honesty about what’s working and what isn’t. As a homeschooling mom, she’s passionate about rethinking modern approaches to formal education and credits her decision to drop out of college as a launching pad to her entrepreneurial journey.

Travel Enthusiast: Bekki is an Enneagram 7 who takes the “enthusiast” title to the max. You’re likely to find her on a last minute trip to Europe all thrown together in the last 24 hours and her bucket list somehow manages to grow larger the more she checks off the list. She loves the energy of an airport and never feels more alive than when she is discovering something new.

Carissa Acker
CEO Real Estate By Design Group, Team Lead Keller Williams Realty Denton, Co-Founder Her Best Life
Superpower: Empathy

Cathy Blassino
Cathy Blassino Team, Founder & Owner
Superpowers: Helping & Caring for Others

Cathy started her real estate career in 1996 and is passionate about her career and values the relationships she has made over the years with her clients. In addition to making sure the team is running smoothly she also enjoys assisting her clients with their real estate needs and providing an exceptional experience. 

Cathy and her husband Adolfo have been married since 1993. Their growing family includes three children; Taylor, Adolfo and Roberto, son-in-law, Alex, and a new grandchild arriving this fall. 

Her personal interests and hobbies include CrossFit, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She enjoys giving back to the community through collections, donations, and service projects with her team.

Cathy has been an Empire Circle Member since June 2024.

Chelsea Anderson
CEO, Anderson Signature Team
Superpower: Finding Solutions

Chelsea is a devoted wife to Kyle and mother to Ivy, Finley, Archer, and their pup, Bow Tie. A real estate investor with seven properties across two states, Chelsea also leads a small but dynamic sales team of four. Currently training for her third cycling race, she balances her professional pursuits with a love for books, old-fashioned cocktails, live music, and exploring new places. 

Chelsea joined the Empire Circle in October 2023.

Deb Pierce
CEO, The Red Star Team, South Louisiana & Alabama Gulf Coast, Net Worth Club Host
Superpowers: Teaching and Encouragement

Deb Pierce began her real estate career in 2013, quickly making her mark in the industry. By 2015, she founded The Red Star Team which has become a top-producing real estate team in her local market. 

In addition to her success as a real estate agent, Deb is also an investor in multiple real estate offices across Louisiana and Alabama and, together with her husband JD, has built a personal real estate portfolio of over 40 properties. 

Deb hosts Her Best Life Net Worth Club, a platform that empowers women to build wealth, live big lives, and create lasting legacies. Before diving into real estate, she worked extensively with local and national non-profits, leading teams of volunteers to set fundraising records. Through these experiences, Deb honed her leadership skills and made a profound impact on the community and those around her. 

Deb is a Founding Member of the Empire Circle, joining in January 2022.

Diane Griffin
Griffin Properties Group, Co-Founder Her Best Life
Superpower: Authenticity

 Diane Griffin is an international business woman with an insurmountable work ethic, a drive for building and leading successful businesses and a desire to create endless opportunities for everyone around her.

In addition to leading the Griffin Properties team, she plays a major role leading organizational strategy across multiple businesses within Keller Williams Realty around the world.

As a business owner, coach, and investor, Diane has a passion for amplifying the voices and lives of women around the world through the organization she co-founded, Her Best Life.

She is a mother of two, a competitive triathlete, an Ironman, and a tireless advocate for the community. Over the past 20 years, Diane has served on many non-profit boards and advisory committees throughout
the Grand Rapids area.

Jennifer Vories
Owner of The Vories Team Realty Group Powered by Keller Williams
Superpower/Mantra: “Neverquit”

Jennifer Vories is a seasoned real estate professional with nearly two decades of experience. Licensed since 2006, she founded the Vories Team Realty Group in 2014. Despite almost leaving the industry after her first three years, Jennifer persevered and built a thriving business. Under her leadership, the team has grown exponentially, now serving an average of 220 families per year. Her husband, Aaron, joined her seven years ago as a licensed realtor and listing coordinator, further contributing to the team’s success. The team also includes Sandy, Director of Operations, who brings a decade of experience and a Master’s degree in Education; Mack, the Marketing Manager; Georgia, their dialer in the Philippines; and a dedicated group of Kentucky agents, supported by an expansion team in Louisville.

Ranked #4 out of 1,300 in Northern Kentucky, the Vories Team operates in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, with plans to expand into Southern Georgia. Jennifer was honored as the 2016 Cultural Ambassador for the Ohio Valley Region of KW and has invested over $300k in personal development through 14 years of coaching, reflecting her commitment to excellence to ensure she provides the best service to her clients.

A fun fact about Jennifer: she never missed a day of school from kindergarten through 12th grade! That same drive and determination fuels her work today. Beyond real estate, Jennifer’s team is deeply committed to philanthropy, having raised over $175k through their annual charity golf outing to support families in need and local non-profits. Jennifer is also an investor with experience in Airbnb management, long-term rentals, and co-owning a company that has rehabbed and sold over 100 homes since 2007. 

Jennifer has been an Empire Circle Member since October 2023.

Jessica Luff
Owner, Carefree Boat Club
Superpower: Galvanizing

In 2013, Jessica Luff embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in the marine industry upon launching a membership-based boating club in Tennessee. Since then, she has not only expanded her core business to five locations across Tennessee, through acquisitions and new startups, she has also expanded into the boat dealership industry with multiple manufacturers. 

Reflecting the heart of her business, Jessica takes pride in creating memorable boating experiences for families across East Tennessee, while fostering trust with her members through efficiency, urgency, and strong relationships.  

Although a tenacious entrepreneur, some of her favorite times are spent with her 3 college-age children and her incredible husband of 28 years.

Jessica joined the Empire Circle in October 2023.

Jess Sauls
Memory Lane Property Group
Superpower: Acceptance

Jess has been a Realtor and industry leader since 2003. Fulfilling a long-held dream, she founded Memory Lane Property Group with a focus on providing the highest level of service—not just to clients, but also to the community. Jess is committed to creating an exceptional work environment for her employees and agents, fostering both personal and professional growth.

Believing that everyone can achieve wealth through real estate and create generational wealth for their families, Jess is passionate about educating her clients. Her approach goes beyond making a sale; it’s about empowering clients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions, ensuring they feel confident and cared for throughout the transaction and beyond.

Jess’s commitment to excellence extends to her community involvement. Her team feeds thousands of local residents each year, provides scholarships for students, supports local sports and arts programs, and funds the Community Action Network.

Originally from Oella, Jess purchased her first home in Baltimore and has since moved to Howard County and then Carroll County, where she has settled on a bustling farm with her husband, four children, and numerous animals. With decades of experience, Jess has developed a deep understanding of local codes and ordinances, as well as expertise in remodeling and design. This extensive knowledge allows her to serve her clients in an unmatched capacity, and she looks forward to continuing her service to clients and the community for years to come.

Jess joined the Empire Circle in December 2023.

Kristen Bernard
EmpowerHome Team Charlotte
Expansion Partner, Team Leader.

Kristen is a licensed Realtor in NC & SC & is the team leader for EmpowerHome Charlotte at Keller Williams SouthPark. She began her real estate career in 2007, and immediately knew she had found the right “fit”. While she thought the love of houses would inspire her most, it was really her love of people. 

Helping people buy or sell a home is really about helping people transition to a new phase of life, and Kristen excels in being a solid guide and advocate. Having been a former teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, she understands the importance of connecting and communicating effectively. 

She believes her work is far more than just helping you find the right place to live or writing a contract. It’s really about being your No.1 advocate so that you can rest easy knowing that your needs always come first! Kristen takes extra time to make sure the lines of communication are always open & fully functioning while working effectively & professionally with all parties involved. 

When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her 4 children, trying new restaurants around town with her husband Glenn, and taking in the NC (& Florida Keys) sunshine with their sheepadoodle Kenzo!

Kristen joined the Empire Circle in October 2023.

Kymber Lovett-Menkiti
Owner Keller Williams Capital Properties, Owner MG Residential Real Estate Team, Co-Founder Her Best Life, Co-Host Empire Building Podcast
Superpower: Trailblazer

Kymber Lovett-Menkiti is an accomplished leader in the real estate industry, with over 16 years of experience. She is the President of Keller Williams Capital Properties and MG Residential Team, overseeing 4K+ agents as the Regional Director for the Keller Williams Maryland/ DC Region. 

Kymber is a co-founder of Her Best Life and co-host of the Empire Building Podcast. 

She serves as NAR's 2023 Broker Relations Liaison, on the Bright MLS Board of Directors, and is involved in several community organizations. She has received several awards, including the 2018 40 Under 40 Honoree by the Washington Business Journal.

Linde Moore
Her Best Life VP of Growth
Superpower: Activator

As Her Best Life VP of Growth, Linde’s leads with her passion for growing businesses to provide community for others. 

Linde is also co-owner and co-founder of the EmpowerHome Team Atlanta with Debbie Reynolds and Sarah Reynolds, Linde has extensive experience in growing the Atlanta based team.

Linde’s resilience extends well beyond her professional endeavors. She has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (2023), completed several half-marathons, and is currently training for her second New York City marathon. A two-time breast cancer survivor under the age of 40, Linde is passionate about advocating for cancer support and awareness in her community. 

Linde is married to Tyler Moore and the couple enjoy the adventure of raising their young son, Townsend, together. 

Among her many accolades, Linde most recently received the Atlanta Realtors Association’s “Phoenix Award” for ten years of being a Top Producer. These accomplishments have all been achieved in the name of making a difference in the world - a mission we at Her Best Life fully embrace.

Pamela Parrino
CEO, Suncoast Cooperative- Building Wealth through Real Estate
Superpowers: Taking Action and Time Management

Pamela is a Broker in Sarasota, FL (originally from NYC) running multiple award-winning real estate and real estate-adjacent businesses, including Suncoast Buying and Selling Team, Suncoast Leasing and Management, Suncoast Cleaning and Handy Services just to name a few. 

Pamela has been investing in real estate for 20+ years, owns multiple residential and commercial properties and is eagerly anticipating closing on her first international properties in early 2025. Throughout her career, Pamela has received numerous accolades for her business achievements and leadership, as well as for her involvement in local initiatives and volunteer efforts. She has organized toy drives to support military families in need, hosted canine carnivals in local neighborhoods helping them foster a sense of community, and raised tens of thousands of dollars for children in foster care. 

Pamela's (current) mission in life is to spread abundant, empowered, and joyful thinking that contributes to the positive upward trajectory of life and creates legacies for future generations. A fun fact about Pamela is that in 1999, she set a record with 267 wins and just 3 losses, earning the title of the undisputed (and still reigning) Connect 4 champion of the Cross Island YMCA Summer Camp!

In January 2023, Pamela joined the Empire Circle.

Ryan Major
Owner, The Major Team
Superpower: Energy

Ryan Major is a wife, mom, and team owner. She has been in business in rural Texas for 9 years. In that time she has learned to go deep with relationships, stay consistent in branding, and become a staple in the community. She has developed a brand based around fun, vibrant colors and activities! This has resulted in a 43 million dollar a year business, 155 transactions and 80% of her business coming through sphere and past client relationships.

Ryan is a Founding Member of the Empire Circle, joining in January 2022.

Sarah Reynolds
CEO EmpowerHome
Superpower: Ambition

Sarah Reynolds is the CEO of EmpowerHome and has been a dynamic leader since she was elected to lead The Reynolds Team in 2009. Under her leadership, the organization has experienced rapid growth, with an average increase of 52.28% year over year. Sarah's team has sold over 10,000 homes, with that number continuing to grow exponentially. EmpowerHome, previously known as The Reynolds Team Network, has achieved over $1 billion in sales volume and more than $34 million in gross commission income for multiple consecutive years.

In recognition of her achievements, HousingWire named Sarah a 2024 Vanguard, and the Wall Street Journal, in partnership with RealTrends, ranked EmpowerHome as the #5 team for units and volume in the Top Mega Team category, which includes teams operating in multiple locations. Notably, EmpowerHome is the only female-led company in the top 12 and is ranked #1 for Per Agent Productivity by RealTrends. EmpowerHome is also the number one real estate team in Keller Williams Realty and third overall nationwide.

Sarah is also a co-founder of Her Best Life, an organization dedicated to creating an authentic, supportive community for female leaders that fosters transformative growth. Additionally, she is a co-host of the award-winning "Empire Building" podcast, which has released over 230 episodes and garnered over 890,000 downloads.

At just 40 years old, Sarah has accomplished a great deal, but her most cherished roles are being a wife to George and a mother to their three children: Olivia, Kaitlyn, and Lincoln.

Seychelle Van Poole
CEO Van Poole Properties Group, Co-Founder Her Best Life, Co-Host Empire Building Podcast
Superpower: Connectivity

Tiffany Fykes
FYKES Realty Group
Superpower: Bravery

Co-host of the award-winning Empire Building Podcast and CEO of Fykes Realty Group, Tiffany Fykes is a natural-born leader and entrepreneur. Tiffany lives with her husband, Joshua, and two boys in Nashville, Tennessee, where she runs the FYKES Realty Group, which is consistently recognized as one of the top teams in central Tennessee. She joined the real estate industry in 2009, and within four years created a million-dollar producing team while growing her family at the same time. 

Her vision is to help everyone she encounters create flourishing lives for themselves. In the last five years, she has launched three other businesses, including co-founding Her Best Life which focuses on helping women leaders find community and create the lives they truly want to have. 

In 2021, Joshua and Tiffany crossed the threshold of financial freedom. Tiffany is passionate about creating experiences that change people's perspectives and helping others make their wildest dreams become a reality.

Wendy Papasan
Papasan Properties Group
Superpower: Vision

Wendy runs the Papasan Properties Group in Austin, TX, a full-service real estate consulting firm that operates out of Austin and San Antonio. Since 2009, Papasan Properties has helped more than 2,200 families, totaling more than $850 million in home sales. 

In addition to her real estate business, Wendy is the co-founder and chairman of the board for Her Best Life, helping women build big businesses and even bigger lives. She is also active on the board of several Austin non-profit organizations, including KWNextGen and ExploreAustin. Together, she and her husband, Jay Papasan, have helped raise more than $3 million for local charities. 

Wendy is a co-host of the award-winning Empire Building Podcast. She is a sought-after international real estate speaker and trainer. In her spare time, Wendy enjoys international travel and being active. Family time is also important to her – she and her husband are the proud parents of two teenagers and a dog named Taco.

Yatra Moscarino
CEO The Moscarino Group
Superpower: Positivity

Yatra is a proud mother of three boys—Ayden, Adrian, and Avery—and a business partner to her husband. Her name, which means "Journey," reflects her path from a successful career in medical sales to a thriving career in real estate, where she works alongside her husband to build their business. 

Yatra is also committed to giving back, running the charity, Best Christmas Ever, which raises money to transform the lives of families in need during the holiday season. In recent years, she has embarked on an investment journey, having just closed on her third rental property, with multiple flips and previous investments already completed.

Yatra has been an Empire Circle Member since December 2023.

SILVER PARTNER

Black Swan Real Estate is a values-driven, vertically integrated real estate investment firm that delivers exceptional returns through a revolutionary passive investment structure, with over 1,500 doors and $350M in AUM.

Our unique investor-focused fund model demonstrates a radical alignment of incentives with no asset management fees whatsoever.

Contact:
Rachel Bernard
[email protected]
Sophie Levine
[email protected]

SILVER PARTNER

Coordinator Team provides high-level Administrative services for real estate agents and brokers.

We assist agents, brokers, and brokerages with Listing Assistance, Contract to Close Assistance, Database Management, and Social Media management.

Contact:
Lauren Hazlet
[email protected]
Cayleigh Waddell
[email protected]

SILVER PARTNER

Whether you face challenges in your business, personal life, or professional world, we are committed to guiding our clients every step of the way.

At Ensō Coaching and Consulting, our dedicated team works seamlessly together to offer tailored support for your distinct needs.

We offer holistic support through coaching and consulting. Our mission is to transform the human experience through enabling aware leaders.

Contact:
Leslie Vander Gheynst
[email protected]
Kathleen Fletcher & Libby Detling
[email protected]

SILVER PARTNER

Fello is the most powerful platform in real estate. Engage your database. Supercharge your business.

More leads, less work, and smarter strategies to drive new listings. Fello allows teams to create a custom seller lead experience - all branded to you! Expand your brand, get more leads, and automate everything, seamlessly.

Contact:
Lisa Whetstone
[email protected]

EMPIRE CIRCLE PRIVATE EVENT SPONSOR

Buy & Sell Homes with Transparency.

Explore the real estate negotiation platform where technology, trust and transparency benefit every buyer, seller, and agent.

CLICK HERE to learn how it works.

Contact:
Nicky Lewenson
[email protected]
Jocelyn Vas
[email protected]

VIRTUAL SPONSOR

Since 1999, BrandCo has helped small businesses succeed. We are a full-service print company.

We can help with anything print-related - from flyers, postcards, booklets, and business cards to promotional items for events - like swag bags, lanyards, and more!

Contact:
Sheila O’Ben
[email protected]