Tessa Hultz, RCE, CAE, CIPS, Chief Executive Officer of Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR), has been named one of the 2021 Most Powerful Women on Long Island by Long Island Business News (LIBN).
In its inaugural year, the Most Powerful Women on Long Island program recognizes the most influential women in Nassau and Suffolk counties, including prominent public figures, business leaders and community activist. The honorees were identified by Long Island Business News for being trailblazers and mentors in their fields, leading the way so others can follow in their footsteps. All have proven to be an inspiration and credit to the wellbeing of our communities.
Hultz currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of LIBOR, a leading regional REALTOR® trade association that serves real estate professionals throughout Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. LIBOR has over 28,000 members and is home to one of the largest, most diverse memberships in the nation. Since joining the association in early 2019, Hultz’s focus has been on transforming the organization into an industry leader for protecting and promoting the principles of the Fair Housing Act.
Hultz began her career in REALTOR® association management in 2005 when she joined the Columbia Board of REALTORS® as director of the organization’s Education Department, leading its advocacy efforts. At the time, she was also aspiring to be a first-time homebuyer. The experience of working to make the dream of homeownership possible for others while saving up for and dreaming of her own first home had a profound impact on her approach to real estate. As a result, she has become a fierce industry advocate for fair access to safe, affordable housing for all.
In 2018, as CEO of Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®, Hultz pioneered a first-of-its kind affordable housing study by a local REALTOR® Association, which has since been cited by regional affordable housing groups to argue favorably for affordable housing projects.
Hultz’s dedication has earned her several notable achievements and honors, including being recognized by her peers as an inaugural recipient of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Association Executives YPN (Young Professionals Network) Leaders of Tomorrow Award, and being inducted into the Bud Smith Leadership Society, whose members play an active, ongoing role as leading contributors to the industry and innovative mentors for the Association Executive community. Hultz has also earned the REALTOR® Association Certified Executive (RCE) and the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designations.
This award is Hultz’s second nod from Long Island Business News, as she was previously awarded with the LIBN Top 50 Women in Business Award in 2020.
“Long Island Board of REALTORS® congratulates Tessa Hultz on her extraordinary commitment and achievements as an influential leader within Long Island’s community,” said LIBOR President Susan Helsinger. “She has made a significant difference in her short tenure at LIBOR by demonstrating an incredible passion and ability to transform our association into a leading industry advocate for equality and opportunity in homeownership for all.”