As national vice president of professional development at Coldwell Banker Realty, part of Compass International Holdings, Rebecca Thomson leads enterprise strategy for nearly 50,000 independent agents, guiding them as they grow their businesses, strengthen performance and compete in a rapidly evolving market.
At a time when technology, consumer expectations and market dynamics are reshaping real estate, Thomson helps independent entrepreneurs adapt, grow and compete. Her work reflects a broader mandate: building high-performing entrepreneurs while translating innovation into measurable performance across the enterprise.
“Our agents are business owners,” Thomson says. “When we elevate how they approach the market, how they position their brand and how they execute, we create momentum that carries across markets, leadership and brand.”
Known for translating vision into execution at scale, Thomson builds leadership and operating models that integrate AI and advanced digital tools into how agents and leaders work every day, making innovation practical, usable and tied to real business outcomes.
Before leading strategy nationally, Thomson served as a regional vice president, overseeing more than 2,000 agents across Chicagoland, Milwaukee, Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan, shaping a practical, operator-minded approach to growth and leadership.
A frequent speaker at industry conferences, executive forums and leadership events, Thomson is known for her practical perspectives on leadership, innovation, sales performance and organizational transformation. She also mentors founders through the Second Century Ventures REACH accelerator, advising emerging technology companies on scaling within complex enterprise environments.
A former president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Thomson has been recognized among the real estate industry’s most influential leaders by organizations including RISMedia and T3 Sixty. She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
