Douglas Elliman Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Douglas Elliman has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, marketing, finance, operations, and development marketing.

Committed to advancing the real estate landscape through disruptive technology and comprehensive service, Douglas Elliman drives excellence in property management and investment while maintaining a premier market position across diverse regional sectors.

Leadership Roles at Douglas Elliman

  • Chief Executive Officer - Jay Parker
  • Douglas Elliman Development Marketing President & Chief Executive Officer - Susan DeFranca
  • President & Chief Executive Officer, Retail Brokerage (Northeastern Division) - Richard Ferrari
  • CEO- Trevor Schneeberger Group - Trevor Schneeberger
  • Chief Financial Officer - Heather Capriola
  • In House Counsel & Chief Operating Officer - Catherine Lee
  • Chief Operating Officer, The Eklund. Gomes Team - Suzanne Guardino
  • Chief Operating Officer, Long Island Hamptons Fork (North) - Melody Newberry
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Natalie Passerini
  • Chief of Staff - Areeje Oriol
  • Jay Parker - Chief Executive Officer

    Jay Parker, the Chief Executive Officer at Douglas Elliman, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the organization. Parker oversees the integration of early-stage PropTech solutions into the existing real estate service framework to maintain a competitive edge. By aligning departmental goals with market demands, the Chief Executive Officer ensures consistent growth across North American operations. Jay Parker maintains direct oversight of high-level partnerships and investment initiatives that define the company's market presence. Through rigorous analysis of industry trends, the Chief Executive Officer optimizes resource allocation to support development marketing and property management divisions. This leadership role demands constant evaluation of the firm's portfolio to ensure alignment with evolving client needs. Ultimately, Parker secures the firm's reputation as a leader in real estate services by fostering a culture of innovation and operational excellence throughout the entire enterprise.
    Jay Parker

    Susan DeFranca - Douglas Elliman Development Marketing President & Chief Executive Officer

    Susan DeFranca, the Douglas Elliman Development Marketing President & Chief Executive Officer at Douglas Elliman, directs the strategy and execution of large-scale residential development projects. DeFranca oversees the entire lifecycle of marketing campaigns for new developments, ensuring that each project achieves maximum market penetration. By leveraging the firm's PropTech resources, the Douglas Elliman Development Marketing President & Chief Executive Officer enhances the sales process for developers and buyers alike. Susan DeFranca collaborates with architects, developers, and internal sales teams to position properties effectively within competitive regional markets. This leadership role involves managing complex relationships and ensuring that development marketing initiatives align with the company's broader service offerings. Through strategic planning and market analysis, the Douglas Elliman Development Marketing President & Chief Executive Officer drives revenue growth and maintains the firm's reputation for excellence in the luxury development sector. DeFranca secures long-term success by delivering innovative solutions that meet the unique demands of modern real estate development.
    Susan DeFranca

    Richard Ferrari - President & Chief Executive Officer, Retail Brokerage (Northeastern Division)

    Richard Ferrari, the President & Chief Executive Officer, Retail Brokerage (Northeastern Division) at Douglas Elliman, directs the brokerage operations across the Northeastern region. Ferrari oversees the recruitment, training, and performance of agents to ensure high-quality service delivery in a competitive market. By implementing advanced PropTech tools, the President & Chief Executive Officer, Retail Brokerage (Northeastern Division) enhances the efficiency of property transactions and client interactions. Richard Ferrari collaborates with the executive team to align regional brokerage goals with the company's national strategy. This role involves managing the day-to-day operations of multiple offices and ensuring that the firm maintains a dominant market share in the Northeast. Through strategic leadership, the President & Chief Executive Officer, Retail Brokerage (Northeastern Division) drives revenue growth and fosters a culture of professional excellence. Ferrari secures the firm's position as a leader in retail brokerage by focusing on client satisfaction and the successful execution of complex real estate transactions.

    Trevor Schneeberger - CEO- Trevor Schneeberger Group

    Trevor Schneeberger, the CEO- Trevor Schneeberger Group at Douglas Elliman, leads a specialized team focused on high-end residential sales and client advisory services. Schneeberger oversees the development of bespoke marketing strategies that leverage the firm's extensive resources and PropTech capabilities. By focusing on personalized client experiences, the CEO- Trevor Schneeberger Group ensures that the team maintains a high conversion rate in competitive luxury markets. Trevor Schneeberger coordinates with other divisions to provide comprehensive real estate services, including development marketing and settlement support. This leadership role involves managing team performance and fostering relationships with key stakeholders to drive business growth. Through a commitment to market expertise and client advocacy, the CEO- Trevor Schneeberger Group maintains a strong reputation for excellence. Schneeberger drives the team's success by integrating innovative technology with traditional brokerage practices, ensuring that the group remains at the forefront of the real estate industry while delivering exceptional results for every client.
    Trevor Schneeberger

    Heather Capriola - Chief Financial Officer

    Heather Capriola, the Chief Financial Officer at Douglas Elliman, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies of the organization. Capriola oversees financial reporting, budgeting, and investment analysis to ensure the firm remains profitable while pursuing disruptive PropTech opportunities. By monitoring economic indicators across various markets, the Chief Financial Officer provides the data necessary for informed decision-making regarding development marketing and property management services. Heather Capriola coordinates with the board to maintain transparency and regulatory compliance in all settlement and escrow operations. This leadership position involves mitigating financial risks while identifying new revenue streams to support long-term expansion. Through meticulous oversight of the company's balance sheet, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that capital is deployed efficiently to maximize shareholder value. Capriola drives the financial planning processes that allow the firm to scale operations effectively while maintaining a strong competitive position in the real estate industry.

    Catherine Lee - In House Counsel & Chief Operating Officer

    Catherine Lee, the In House Counsel & Chief Operating Officer at Douglas Elliman, manages the legal framework and daily operational efficiency of the firm. Lee oversees the legal compliance of all real estate services, including settlement and escrow operations, while simultaneously optimizing internal business processes. By integrating legal risk management with operational strategy, the In House Counsel & Chief Operating Officer ensures that the company navigates complex regulatory environments effectively. Catherine Lee coordinates with department heads to implement scalable systems that support the firm's growth and PropTech integration efforts. This dual-function role involves drafting contracts, managing litigation risks, and streamlining administrative workflows to enhance productivity. Through rigorous oversight of operational standards, the In House Counsel & Chief Operating Officer maintains the integrity of the firm's service delivery. Lee drives the development of internal policies that protect the company's interests while fostering an environment conducive to innovation and high-performance real estate service delivery.

    Suzanne Guardino - Chief Operating Officer, The Eklund. Gomes Team

    Suzanne Guardino, the Chief Operating Officer, The Eklund. Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman, manages the operational infrastructure and strategic execution for one of the firm's highest-performing teams. Guardino oversees the daily workflows, administrative support, and technology integration that allow the team to scale effectively across multiple regions. By optimizing internal processes, the Chief Operating Officer, The Eklund. Gomes Team ensures that agents can focus on client acquisition and transaction management. Suzanne Guardino collaborates with the broader Douglas Elliman leadership to align team activities with corporate standards and PropTech initiatives. This role involves managing budgets, overseeing project timelines, and ensuring that the team maintains a high level of service quality. Through rigorous operational oversight, the Chief Operating Officer, The Eklund. Gomes Team drives efficiency and supports the team's continued growth. Guardino secures the group's market leadership by implementing systems that enhance productivity and improve the overall client experience in the luxury real estate sector.

    Melody Newberry - Chief Operating Officer, Long Island Hamptons Fork (North)

    Melody Newberry, the Chief Operating Officer, Long Island Hamptons Fork (North) at Douglas Elliman, directs the operational activities for the firm's brokerage presence in the Hamptons and surrounding areas. Newberry oversees the management of office facilities, agent support services, and the implementation of regional business strategies. By integrating PropTech solutions into local brokerage operations, the Chief Operating Officer, Long Island Hamptons Fork (North) enhances the efficiency of property listings and client services. Melody Newberry collaborates with regional leadership to ensure that local initiatives align with the company's national goals for development marketing and property management. This role involves managing regional resources and ensuring that the firm maintains a competitive advantage in the luxury market. Through strategic operational planning, the Chief Operating Officer, Long Island Hamptons Fork (North) drives growth and maintains high standards of service. Newberry secures the firm's market position by fostering a culture of excellence and ensuring that all regional operations support the broader corporate mission.

    Natalie Passerini - Chief Marketing Officer

    Natalie Passerini, the Chief Marketing Officer at Douglas Elliman, architects the brand identity and communication strategies that define the firm's market reach. Passerini manages the deployment of digital campaigns designed to highlight the company's unique PropTech offerings and real estate services. By analyzing consumer behavior across diverse regions, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures that messaging resonates with high-net-worth clients and institutional investors. Natalie Passerini collaborates with the executive team to align marketing initiatives with broader business objectives, including development marketing and settlement services. This role involves overseeing the creative direction of all promotional materials to maintain a consistent and premium brand image. Through data-driven insights, the Chief Marketing Officer optimizes lead generation channels to support brokerage growth. Passerini drives the implementation of innovative marketing technologies that enhance client engagement and solidify the firm's status as a premier real estate service provider.
    Natalie Passerini

    Areeje Oriol - Chief of Staff

    Areeje Oriol, the Chief of Staff at Douglas Elliman, coordinates cross-functional initiatives and streamlines communication between the executive leadership team and various departments. Oriol manages the execution of strategic projects that support the firm's mission to integrate PropTech solutions into traditional real estate services. By facilitating alignment across development marketing, property management, and escrow divisions, the Chief of Staff ensures that operational goals remain synchronized with corporate priorities. Areeje Oriol oversees the preparation of executive briefings and board materials to support informed decision-making at the highest levels. This role involves identifying operational bottlenecks and implementing solutions to improve organizational efficiency. Through proactive management of internal workflows, the Chief of Staff enables the leadership team to focus on high-impact growth strategies. Oriol drives the implementation of internal policies that foster a culture of accountability and excellence, ensuring that the firm remains agile in a rapidly evolving real estate market.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Douglas Elliman Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Douglas Elliman?
    Douglas Elliman is led by Jay Parker (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Susan DeFranca (Douglas Elliman Development Marketing President & Chief Executive Officer) and Richard Ferrari (President & Chief Executive Officer, Retail Brokerage (Northeastern Division)).
    Who is part of Douglas Elliman’s executive team?
    The executive team of Douglas Elliman includes leaders such as Jay Parker (Chief Executive Officer), Susan DeFranca (Douglas Elliman Development Marketing President & Chief Executive Officer), Richard Ferrari (President & Chief Executive Officer, Retail Brokerage (Northeastern Division)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Douglas Elliman have?
    Douglas Elliman has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Douglas Elliman’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Douglas Elliman includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Douglas Elliman Development Marketing President & Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Retail Brokerage (Northeastern Division), CEO- Trevor Schneeberger Group, Chief Financial Officer.