REALTOR® Rao Ali Shaan Khan has been named an honoree of the 2021 Diversity in Business Awards by Long Island Business News. Khan, along with business leaders from across Long Island, were honored at the publication’s virtual awards ceremony on March 2, 2021.

Since 2016, the Diversity in Business Awards program has highlighted the outstanding achievements of business leaders of diverse ethnic backgrounds who actively support the growth of diversity and equality in the Long Island community.

Khan has been recognized for his contribution to expand the inclusion of diversity in the real estate industry, as the first Chair of the inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Committee of Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR).  In this position, Khan has been responsible for laying the groundwork for getting this important committee up and running.  The committee aims to create a more welcoming and inclusive culture in the real estate community and throughout LIBOR through outreach, education, advocacy, and collaboration.

Under Khan's leadership, the committee is developing initiatives to encourage REALTORS® to share their own experiences with discrimination and to raise awareness of the diversity of LIBOR’s membership, which includes more than 27,000 real estate professionals throughout Suffolk, Nassau and Queens Counties.  

Khan has worked to build bridges with Diversity & Inclusion stakeholders across the country, as well as locally to foster discussion and identify opportunities for partnership.  With Khan's guidance, LIBOR's Diversity & Inclusion committee is also looking to increase participation from certain communities to expand  involvement with LIBOR.

Khan’s voice for equality is heard at the local, state and national level where he serves as a member of the board of directors for LIBOR, the New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). 

Khan, Real Estate Associate Broker of Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. in Plainview, NY, has been a member of LIBOR since 2016. Since then, he has served as president of LIBOR’s Central Nassau Chapter and on several committees.  As a LIBOR leader of Muslim and Pakistani descent, Khan inspires members of all ethnic backgrounds to strive for leadership positions within the association.

"Long Island Board of REALTORS® is proud to celebrate Rao Ali Shaan Khan for his steadfast leadership and commitment to creating an inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of Long Island,” said LIBOR President Susan Helsinger.  “With great dedication, he is leading the way to make positive and impactful change within the membership culture at LIBOR and our industry at large.”