Douglas Elliman CEO Appoints Strategic Growth Leader Oriol

Douglas Elliman has strengthened its executive team with the appointment of Areeje Akhtar Oriol as chief of staff to CEO Michael Liebowitz, marking a key strategic hire as the brokerage navigates its post-Lorber era.

Oriol brings extensive experience in business development and strategic growth from her tenure across multiple real estate firms. She began her career in media strategy with roles at 360i and Google before transitioning to real estate in 2020 when Compass hired her as a senior manager focused on strategic growth in Miami.

In 2023, Oriol joined Official, the Side-backed brokerage, as head of growth. Following the firm's collapse in 2024 amid sexual assault allegations against its co-founding Alexander brothers, she moved to a director of growth position at Bespoke Real Estate. During this period, she also established Assemblage, her own boutique strategic advisory firm.

In her new role at Elliman, Oriol will collaborate with Liebowitz and senior leadership on strategic initiatives and organizational alignment. The brokerage highlighted her expertise with luxury consumer-focused businesses and business development strategy in announcing the appointment.

Liebowitz assumed the CEO role in 2024 after Howard Lorber's sudden retirement, inheriting the challenge of establishing what he calls the brokerage's "new era." Speaking to The Real Deal in January, Liebowitz acknowledged the complexity of implementing his vision, stating he had numerous ideas for revenue stream diversification but discovered the impossibility of executing all simultaneously.

Beyond Elliman, other South Florida real estate firms have made notable personnel moves. Wellington-based Bainbridge Companies appointed Catherine Neal as vice president of client services. Neal previously served in the same capacity at Nashville-based commercial real estate investment firm Elmington, where she handled property management responsibilities. At Bainbridge, she will focus on expanding the firm's third-party management platform and developing growth-oriented operational frameworks.

Compass secured a significant team addition in South Miami with the recruitment of the 36-agent Shelton Bernace Group. Led by Tere Shelton Bernace, former co-owner of Shelton and Stewart Realtors, the group will operate from Compass' South Miami office. Shelton Bernace spent 14 years in investment banking at Barclays before entering real estate in 2002.

The personnel movements extend to supporting services as well. Miami-based Holland Public Relations, founded in 2024 by former Elliman executive Ashley Holland, named Giselle Blanco as senior vice president of public relations. Blanco previously held the position of senior director of public relations at Elliman and will help implement Holland's strategy across South Florida, Texas, California, New York, and Massachusetts.

These appointments reflect the dynamic nature of South Florida's real estate sector, where firms continue investing in experienced talent to drive growth and enhance client services across residential and commercial markets.