Ex-CEO of Chicago Sun-Times to lead NAR in a time of change
Amid an ongoing antitrust lawsuit case, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has appointed Nykia Wright (pictured) as its interim chief executive officer, effective November 20.
Bob Goldberg, who previously announced his planned retirement in June, will serve as an executive consultant during the transition period as NAR conducts a comprehensive search for a permanent CEO.
"We are immensely grateful for Bob's leadership and decades-long service to NAR," said NAR president Tracy Kasper. "It has been a privilege to work with him in expanding and strengthening our organization, and we congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement. His contributions to our association and our industry have been tremendous."
Wright brings a wealth of executive leadership and strategic advisory experience to her role at NAR. She previously served as the CEO of the Chicago Sun-Times, overseeing the newspaper's digital transformation and merger with WBEZ (Chicago Public Media). She is also the co-founder of SonicMESSENGER, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) startup focused on audience engagement and measurement through smart audio technology.
"We are delighted to welcome Nykia as interim CEO," Kasper said in a media release. "Her extensive experience in driving organizational transformation makes her well-suited to advance our strategic goals, vision, and culture initiatives. I look forward to collaborating with her, alongside our leadership team and staff, to further strengthen our organization."
"I am honored to join the organization at this important moment when the opportunity to make a difference in the evolving real estate landscape has never been greater," Wright said. "I look forward to getting to work and partnering closely with NAR's talented staff in the months ahead."
Read more: $1.8 billion penalty over commissions in landmark antitrust case
Goldberg commented on the transition: "After announcing my decision to retire earlier this year and reflecting on my 30 years at NAR, I determined last month that now is the right time for this extraordinary organization to look to the future. Nykia's strategic expertise and forward-looking perspective are exactly what NAR needs to continue advancing its mission in an ever-changing world. I am grateful for the privilege of leading NAR and confident that the association will continue delivering incredible value to its members for generations to come."
The announcement followed the news of a class-action lawsuit against NAR. The trade association has come under scrutiny after it was found guilty of conspiring to artificially inflate buyer commissions.
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