Speakers: Growth Summit 2024

Dermot Buffini
CEO, Buffini & Company

Since 2013, Dermot Buffini has challenged and transformed what it means to be an effective Chief Executive Officer. He leads Buffini & Company, ensuring each team member has the tools to help clients win in business and in life.

Dermot has been recognized as a finalist for the San Diego Business Journal's CEO of the Year, a RISMedia Newsmaker and ranked in the Swanepoel Power 200. His commitment to excellence has led the San Diego Union-Tribune to recognize Buffini & Company as a Top Place to Work in San Diego consecutively since 2016.

Dr. Jessica Lautz
Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research, National Association of REALTORS®

Dr. Jessica Lautz is Vice President of Demographics and Behaviors Insights at the National Association of REALTORS®. The core of her research focuses on analyzing trends for both NAR members and housing consumers. Through management of surveys, focus groups and data analysis, she presents new and innovative ways to showcase results. Jessica discusses research findings in major media outlets and international presentations. In 2022, Dr. Lautz was named a RISMedia Newsmaker in the Influencer category. In 2021, Dr. Lautz was named one of Housing Wire's Women of Influence, a list representing 100 of the most influential women in leadership in the housing industry.

James "The Iron Cowboy" Lawrence
Guinness World Record Breaking Triathlete

After breaking several Guinness World Records, James Lawrence wondered if he had truly found his mental and physical limits. Known as the Iron Cowboy, James earned this nickname from the public after he started to wear a cowboy hat during the marathon portion of his Ironman races to be identified by his children quickly. With two Guinness world records under his belt, James and his family attempted to do something every person deemed impossible: 50 full distance triathlons, in 50 states, in 50 consecutive days (aka: 50.50.50). His combination of energy, humor, determination, and achievements captivates audiences and creates an inspirational and awakening phenomenon for all. James' story of reaching new limits is one everyone can relate to. He is an ordinary guy, whose extraordinary personal story will make you laugh, cry, reflect, and leave you inspired to reach higher.

Amy Mahjoory
Author and Networking Coach

Amy Mahjoory is an expert real estate investor and educator, HGTV personality, best-selling author, and networking coach. For the past twenty-one years, Amy has studies the art of strategic networking. Before pursuing her passion in entrepreneurship, Amy was a highly recognized global leader in procurement, logistics and operations management for Dell. After fourteen years in corporate America, Amy realized that a traditional education combined with the security of a 9 to 5 was not going to produce the results she wanted. Amy's success can be attributed, in large part, to her team-building talents and cutting-edge business systems. She focuses on surrounding herself with some of the most dynamic and dedicated entrepreneurs, mentors, peers, employees and investors.

Sarah Robb O'Hagan
Chief Executive Officer, EXOS

Described by the media as everything from "Superwoman Undercover" to "The Pied Piper of Potential," Sarah Robb O'Hagan is an executive, entrepreneur, and founder of Extreme Living. She is now the CEO of EXOS, the world leader in elite performance training that helps people reach higher and achieve more. Sarah has been named twice to Forbes magazine's list of the "Most Powerful Women in Sports," named a "Woman to Watch" by Ad Age magazine, dubbed one of the "Most Creative People in Business" by Fast Company, and named to "40 Under 40" lists by Sports Business Journal, Crain's Chicago Business, and Sports Goods Business.

Matt Widdows
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, HomeSmart

After several years in the real estate industry and a background in software for the medical industry, Widdows founded HomeSmart in 2000 as a new concept real estate brokerage in the Metropolitan Phoenix market.

HomeSmart was founded based on the principle of providing high value and service at a low cost to agents. Over the course of the next decade he grew the Arizona-based brokerage from two agents to over 7,000 agents, making HomeSmart the number one market share company it is today. Matt remains dedicated to providing an efficient and systematized structure to the real estate brokerage business which has enabled him to operate the most successful real estate brokerage in the U.S. His philosophy on technology is to only build and provide software and tools which serve to save time and streamline processes.

Ashley Bowers
President, HomeSmart

Ashley Bowers joined HomeSmart as Chief Operating Officer in 2013 and was appointed as President in 2016. Her passion for diagnostics and leadership interaction to build engagement and alignment throughout organizations is what drives her to succeed. With more than 20 years of experience in the talent management and organizational growth industries, she thrives on empowering teams to achieve success and drive profits, and brings a unique approach to organizational leadership at HomeSmart.

Under Ashley's leadership, all departments at the HomeSmart franchising company and its enterprise departments operate in sync to meet growth, retention, and systematic goals. Ashley's leadership is evident through her commitment to spark creativity, passion and determination in each of her team members. She is dedicated to implementing systems and efficiencies that HomeSmart brokers and agents alike can leverage to grow their businesses.

Todd Sumney
Chief Industry Officer, HomeSmart

Todd Sumney joined the HomeSmart team in 2014 and is one of the largest drivers in helping HomeSmart franchisees and agents grow through training and education. With 16 years of industry experience under his belt and a background in marketing, he is HomeSmart's greatest brand ambassador and a constant professional on the industry circuit, asked to present and participate in panels on bettering the industry and bettering agents by real estate boards across the country. Todd is by far the most requested speaker to travel to HomeSmart offices nationwide and provides training on recruiting, education, marketing and business building. His Marketing Essentials training class recently became a certified CE class. Todd is truly passionate about serving and helping others. He's an influencer with empathy and a huge servant heart.