Honoring the housing economy’s next generation of leaders.
HousingWire’s Rising Stars award recognizes the emerging leaders in real estate and mortgage who have demonstrated rapid career growth and an ability to lead, achieving remarkable milestones all before the age of 40. Rising Stars have impressive professional momentum, and are building reputations for driving growth and change while making those around them better.
Within their organizations, these Rising Stars shoulder significant leadership responsibilities, guiding major corporations and driving entrepreneurial ventures that are poised to shape the future of housing. Outside of their organizations, these Rising Stars are contributing to the broader industry and business landscape, establishing themselves as influential figures with the potential to lead the way in the years to come within their own entrepreneurial ventures or as c-suite executives.
Rising Stars honorees all share a common trait: an undeniable and outsized influence on both the industry and their respective businesses. Across the housing economy — from lending to servicing, investments to real estate, and technology and governance — these exceptional individuals play a pivotal role in propelling the housing economy forward.
Program Details:
- 2025 Nomination period: February 1-28, 2025
- Nomination fee: $695
- Winners announced: Online April 1, 2025
Past Winners:
Eligibility & Criteria:
Nominees must be no older than 40 years of age as of May 1, 2024; and must be employed full-time in a business role primarily engaged in some aspect of the housing economy.
Qualifying nominees in mortgage include these sectors:
- Mortgage origination
- Loan servicing
- Secondary markets
- Appraisal / valuation
- Title
- Technology and solutions supporting mortgage clients
Qualifying nominees in real estate include these sectors:
- Residential real estate
- I-buying
- Residential real estate investors and single-family rental owner / operators
- Technology and solutions enabling real estate sales clients
Submissions are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the submission questions for Rising Stars?
- What’s your elevator pitch? Give us the elevator pitch on why you think this nominee should be a Rising Star honoree. (No more than three sentences.)
- Contribution to your organization. Provide the reasons this person is so valuable to your organization, focusing particularly on the last 12 months as applicable. You may also include any volunteer work or trade organizations they are a part of.
- Leadership and excellence. Describe how the nominee has actively demonstrated excellence and reflected the values of your company. One or two paragraphs recommended.
- Select one of the following questions to respond to: 1.) What is one thing you would tell a younger version of yourself? 2.) What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? 3.) What is one habit that has helped you succeed?
2. When will I know if my nominee was selected?
Once nominations close, our HousingWire selection committee will vote on the 2024 Rising Stars to determine the final list of winners. If you or your nominee is selected, we will reach out to the nominator and/or nominee via email at the end of April in advance of the May 1 online announcement.
3. What is HousingWire’s Rising Stars program?
An annual list of people who have achieved success in a mortgage, real estate or housing-related business by 40 years of age.
4. When will HousingWire publish the next class of Rising Stars?
The 2024 class of HW Rising Stars we be announced live at The Gathering in Scottsdale, AZ on April 24th.
5. When do nominations begin?
Nominations for the 2024 Rising Stars are open February 6, 2024 — February 23, 2024
6. What are the qualifications for consideration?
We are looking for professional success in the housing economy. We also are interested in knowing about community service, as well as participation in trade groups or other relevant organizations. Those chosen must be no older than 40 on the section’s publication date and must work full time within the housing economy (see real estate and mortgage break outs above).
7. Who decides who will make the list of Rising Stars?
A panel of HousingWire’s selection committee members will decide.
8. How can I nominate someone?
Nominations must be submitted online via the link provided above.
9. Why is there a nomination fee?
The nomination fee ensures award winner integrity by only allowing serious candidates to be nominated and covers editorial time. It takes a significant amount of time and resources for HousingWire’s editorial team members to organize and successfully determine who will be named to this year’s list.
10. Can I just call you or send you an e-mail with the name of the person I’d like to nominate?
No. We need to have the form filled out online, including contact information for the person you are nominating.
11. I want to nominate my boss, but would it be better if someone higher up nominated him?
You can nominate yourself, a client, a family member, your boss, an employee, or an acquaintance. The most important thing is that you state a clear, business-oriented reason for the nomination.
12. Does it help if many people nominate the same person?
No, this will not impact a nominee’s chances of receiving a nomination.
13. Will more than one nominee from the same company be accepted?
Yes, you can nominate as many people from the same company as you’d like. Each candidate will be reviewed individually for their merits.
14. I would like to nominate someone, but they will turn 41 before the announcement date. Can I still nominate that person?
Unfortunately, nominations for anyone who does not meet the age requirement are not included in the voting process.
15. How does the process work?
After the nomination period closes, the HousingWire selection committee begins an extensive process of reviewing all nominations, evaluating accomplishments and applying industry knowledge to determine the impact each nominee has on their organization and the industry. Following review, the editorial selection committee holds a series of meetings to determine which candidates will be chosen. We strive to select the most impressive and impactful leaders leveraging the nomination information and industry knowledge of organizations, accomplishments and trajectory. The process takes a significant amount of time over a compressed schedule.
16. What is required of those who are selected?
Candidates who are selected must make themselves available for an interview with a HousingWire reporter. They may also be required to make themselves available for a photo shoot.
17. Can I contact you to see how my nominee is doing in the judging process?
We don’t provide status reports during the nomination or selection process. If we need any further information, we will contact you.
18. I want to be picked for the Rising Stars program. Will it help to hire a public relations firm?
No. Publicists often submit candidates, but they do not influence the nomination process.
19. I was not picked for Rising Stars. Can you tell me why?
With hundreds of candidates and only a few spots available, many nominations will not be chosen.
Have more questions? Reach out to Lesley Collins
Award Materials
For additional award materials, like plaques and trophies, please visit our online store here.
