As part of HousingWire’s Editor’s Choice awards spotlight series, we’re spotlighting past Women of Influence honorees whose careers, leadership and insights continue to influence the industry. This series offers a closer look at the experiences and decisions that have shaped their paths.
In this feature, Kevelyn Guzman, Regional Vice President at Coldwell Banker Warburg, reflects on the leadership lessons, career decisions and moments of uncertainty that shaped her path in real estate.
Guzman was selected as a 2024 Women of Influence honoree for her leadership as the first female Regional Vice President of Coldwell Banker Warburg, her role in driving agent growth and innovation across the firm and her commitment to empowering the next generation of women leaders in real estate.
Women of Influence recognizes the leaders making a meaningful impact across mortgage, real estate and homebuilding. Nominations for the 2026 Women of Influence awards are open now through May 31.
HousingWire: What are you most focused on right now in response to broader industry shifts?
Kevelyn Guzman: Clarity and momentum. The industry is shifting how we transact, how we show value, and how agents build their businesses. I’m focused on making sure our agents feel equipped, not overwhelmed. That means simplifying where we can, leaning into smart growth, and being very intentional about where we spend our time and energy.
HW: What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned that more people in this industry should understand?
Kevelyn Guzman: You can’t lead from a distance. You have to be in it with your people, understanding what they’re actually dealing with day to day. Titles don’t build trust. Consistency does. Showing up does. Saying the hard thing, even when it’s uncomfortable, that’s what builds credibility.
HW: What’s one decision that changed the trajectory of your career?
Kevelyn Guzman: If I’m honest, it wasn’t just one decision; it was a pattern I had to learn from. There were moments I stayed longer than I should have, moments I didn’t fully trust my intuition, even when it was speaking pretty clearly. And that comes with a cost.
What changed things for me was finally betting on myself before I felt completely ready—choosing growth over comfort. Letting go of the idea that the timing had to be perfect. Career trajectories aren’t clean or linear; they’re layered, sometimes messy, and shaped just as much by the moves you delay as the ones you make.
Looking back, I probably would have moved sooner. But I also believe those pauses taught me something I needed: clarity, resilience, and conviction. So while I didn’t always get the timing right, I got there. And that shift, trusting myself enough to move forward anyway, is what changed everything.
HW: Looking back, what experiences most prepared you for the leadership role you’re in today?
Kevelyn Guzman: Being in the middle of the hard stuff. Navigating market shifts, managing through uncertainty, having tough conversations, and building teams with very different personalities and expectations. I learned early that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about staying steady when things feel uncertain and making decisions anyway.
HW: What advice would you give to the next generation of women working toward senior leadership roles in housing?
Kevelyn Guzman: Don’t shrink yourself to fit into spaces that weren’t built with you in mind. Your perspective is the value. Speak up, even when your voice shakes. Get comfortable making decisions without over-explaining them. And surround yourself with people who push you forward, not people who make you question your worth.
Click here to nominate a 2026 Woman of Influence.
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