Interviews
Emily Chenevert: Championing the Future of MLS
November 25, 2024
By Arianna Marino
Unlock MLS serves over 20,000 subscribers across 18 counties in Central Texas, one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions in the U.S. With a mission to uphold data integrity standards and provide innovative tools to support real estate professionals, Unlock MLS is playing a pivotal role in shaping the industry. At the forefront of this transformation is CEO Emily Chenevert, whose visionary leadership has driven the strategic growth and success of both Unlock MLS and the 18,000+ member Austin Board of REALTORS®. With a proven record and passion for advocating on behalf of REALTORS® and homeowners across Central Texas, she ensures ABoR is fueling the success and improving the professionalism of the organization’s members.
Chenevert transitioned into the MLS space through key leadership roles, ultimately rising to CEO. Her career has been defined by a commitment to innovation, community, and transparency. Under her guidance, Unlock MLS has not only adapted to the rapidly evolving challenges of the real estate industry, including legal pressures and market accessibility, but has also become a key advocate for data transparency and collaboration across the ecosystem. In our conversation, Chenevert shares her unique vision on navigating the biggest challenges MLSs face today and how she plans to contribute to the evolution of the industry through innovative solutions and unlocking the potential of MLS data. Join us as we dive into Chenevert's career journey, her philosophy to handle disruptive change, and how she plans to challenge the status quo to move the industry forward.
How did you get involved with the MLS and PropTech industry?
I got involved with the MLS and PropTech industry through my longtime work with the Association side of our industry. I expanded my focus by taking on larger leadership roles with the Austin Board of REALTORS®, and later Unlock MLS, where I've had the opportunity to oversee and elevate the organization's MLS operations. My journey started with managing public and government affairs, where I developed a deep understanding of the real estate industry's legislative and regulatory needs. As my career progressed, I took on more responsibility, eventually becoming CEO. In this role, I have led the strategic success of an 18,000+ member association and a 20,000+ subscriber MLS in one of the fastest-growing regions in America. This includes driving initiatives focused on MLS listings data integrity standards and ensuring our organization’s services align with the evolving needs of our members. As a leader, my focus has always been on fostering innovation, community, and transparency, which naturally led me to embrace the PropTech space as a crucial element in shaping the future of real estate.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
I was inspired to pursue a career in the real estate industry because of my deep-rooted belief in the importance of "home." Home is more than just a physical space—it’s where people build their lives, create memories, and find stability. I’ve always been passionate about the role REALTORS® play in helping individuals and families navigate one of the most significant decisions in their lives: finding the right place to call home.
Beyond that, I truly value the impact REALTORS® have on building and sustaining communities. They are not just transaction facilitators but advocates, connectors, and champions of community development. REALTORS® help shape neighborhoods and contribute to our communities' economic and social fabric, ensuring they remain vibrant, inclusive, and resilient. This belief in the transformative power of home and the community-building role of REALTORS® is what drives me every day in my career.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the MLS industry today?
One of the biggest challenges facing the MLS industry today is the increasing litigation surrounding our industry's business structures, and transparency and the uncertainty that this has created for both agents and consumers. These legal battles have put pressure on traditional business models and are forcing MLSs and our subscribers to rethink how they operate to ensure compliance with evolving legal standards while remaining creative in identifying the opportunities for competitive advantage in these changes.
The lack of access to market-rate affordable housing is also a significant issue. As market-rate affordability has declined in many regions, MLSs must adapt to better support agents and consumers in navigating these challenges. This includes providing more accessible data and tools to help buyers, sellers, and renters make informed decisions in a nuanced housing market that isn’t always easily understood at face value. MLSs are uniquely positioned to help bridge this gap by offering innovative solutions that reflect the realities of today's market dynamics.
Given these pressures, MLSs must take on a more active role in advocacy and regulatory issues. While traditionally seen as an association function, advocacy is now critical to housing market stability and the future of the MLS. MLSs have a unique vantage point on the industry and must work with policymakers to ensure a fair, transparent, and accessible housing market. By embracing this role, MLSs can help shape the future of real estate and ensure their continued relevance in the industry.
How do you approach decision-making and strategy in your role?
In my role, decision-making and strategy are rooted in strong relationships with the Board leadership and key market stakeholders. These partnerships are essential for navigating both everyday operations and times of crisis, such as those the last few years have brought us. In moments of uncertainty, quick, informed decisions rely not only on data but also on intuition. Trusting my instincts while maintaining clear communication with the Board and stakeholders allows for agile responses to rapidly changing situations. Whether navigating a global pandemic, adapting to new regulatory frameworks, or managing disruptions in market dynamics, I’ve learned that a balance of agility, foresight, and steady leadership is crucial.
What is your leadership style, and how has it evolved?
Early in my management career, I believed I needed to have the answer to every question to feel confident leading my team. It wasn’t about ego, but rather the pressure of wanting to lead my team well. Over time, I’ve learned that real leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about admitting when I don’t and leaning into the expertise of those around me. Now, I trust that among our amazing staff and Board leadership, we have what we need to make the best decisions.
I’m an intuitive leader who follows her gut, but I also listen carefully and know when it’s my responsibility to make the call versus trusting the team’s instincts. My communication style is direct, and I’ve built trust with my team to accept feedback openly without worrying about subtext. This approach creates a transparent, collaborative environment where we can focus on making strong, informed decisions together.
How do you approach adapting to changes and disruptions in the business landscape?
I approach adapting to changes and disruptions by providing the structure my team needs to feel empowered, while also being honest about when more support is needed. My role is to set the floor and the ceiling, so the team has the freedom to operate successfully within that space. When disruption moves the goalpost, you must balance providing as much structure as possible and openly acknowledging the areas where certainty isn’t achievable.
Leading through change requires trust, transparent communication, and honesty. For example, during the implementation of the NAR settlement terms, we were clear and upfront with our subscribers about the likelihood of continued disruption. We prepared them for ongoing changes and only spoke with certainty about the present, avoiding overstating future outcomes. We think this approach has strengthened their confidence and resilience, even as they navigate continued uncertainty about how their businesses will operate in the future.
What do you believe is key to maintaining a productive and happy team?
Snacks. Kidding, sort of.
The key to maintaining a productive and happy team is creating an environment where people feel valued and included—and yes, snacks never hurt! It's important to have fun while tackling the challenges of a shifting market or business landscape. People work their hardest when they know their contributions matter and when they’re brought into the conversation early on.
It might seem counterintuitive, but having more voices in the room at a project's start can create efficiencies down the road. Collaborative environments foster buy-in, which leads to smoother execution and stronger outcomes. When people feel like they’re part of the process, they’re more engaged and motivated to go the extra mile.
How do you measure success for yourself and your team?
For me, success isn’t just about the results—it’s just as much about how we get there. Of course, hitting our goals matters, but the process we use is equally important. I look at how we work together, how we handle challenges, and whether we’re learning and growing along the way.
I also believe that holding myself and my team to a high level of accountability is a big opportunity for growth. Real-time feedback about how we are or are not hitting the mark is a sign of investment in our future. It’s not just about checking boxes but about recognizing where we can improve and get better next time. If we hit our targets while building trust, communicating well, and supporting each other, that’s a real success in my book.
What emerging trends in PropTech should industry professionals be paying attention to?
The next wave of PropTech will be defined by deeper integration, automation, and personalization. As technology evolves, we should see more seamless integration across platforms—from MLSs and CRM systems to marketing tools and transaction management. This interconnectedness will allow agents and brokers to operate more efficiently, leveraging real-time data and automating routine tasks to focus on relationship-building and closing deals.
AI-driven personalization is another big trend to watch. Buyers and sellers expect tailored property recommendations, market insights, and automated communication that align with their preferences and behaviors. The ability to deliver hyper-personalized experiences will set top agents apart in a competitive market.
Lastly, I hope to see big shifts in predictive analytics—using vast amounts of MLS data to not only show market trends but also predict them with greater accuracy. This will allow agents to proactively advise clients on when to buy or sell based on highly localized insights.
How do you plan to contribute to the evolution of the industry?
I plan to contribute to the evolution of our industry by championing data transparency, collaboration, and advocacy. I believe MLSs can provide even greater value to agents and brokers by leveraging the vast amount of data they hold, and I’m committed to unlocking that potential. We can collectively drive efforts for more robust data integration and real-time insights across multiple markets to produce comparative insights. I aim to help the industry stay ahead of market shifts and trends by leveraging collaborative market intelligence and identifying trends in the deeper levels of market data that aren’t always surfaced.
As a leader, I’m not afraid to speak up and ask hard questions, especially regarding how we can improve and move the industry forward. I believe in challenging the status quo, pushing my leaders and our peers to think differently, and fostering conversations that lead to meaningful change. Advocacy is also critical to the stability of our industry, and I see it as an MLS responsibility to engage policymakers and key stakeholders to ensure that regulatory shifts support a fair, transparent, and accessible housing market. By encouraging open dialogue and collaboration, I hope to help create a future where real estate professionals are empowered with the tools, knowledge, and advocacy they need to best serve their clients and communities.
How do you balance work and personal life in such a demanding industry?
A few years ago, a dear friend and consultant who helps us support staff culture told me to release the idea of "balance" and instead think about how I integrate work and personal life. That perspective shift made a huge difference. There are weeks when I’m 80% mom and 20% CEO and weeks when I’m 25% mom and 75% CEO—realistically, it’s always in flux.
I have two boys, ages 9 and 13, and it’s my responsibility to show them how to integrate their own personal needs with a strong work ethic. I want them to understand that an abundant and full life means not compartmentalizing work and home but learning how to leverage their time and energy for both. By showing them how to navigate these demands, I hope to set an example of how they can find fulfillment in both their professional and personal lives as they grow.
Do you wish to share anything about your family?
My two boys mean the world to me. Both are incredibly resilient, creative, and loving. My youngest son, Barrett (we call him “Bear”), was born with kidney failure after my six-week stay in the antepartum department at the local hospital. He was put on dialysis at three weeks old and later received a life-saving kidney transplant just two weeks before he turned two.
I often think that no crisis is too big, as we’re not saving babies at Unlock MLS. I’ve watched people save my baby–I assure you that level of urgency and pressure far outweighs any of the threats we’ve experienced as an industry. All that to say, while we will continue to navigate uncertain times and feel threats against our business, it’s the little moments like Bear crushing it on the soccer field or Big Brother Hudson’s successful band performance that remind me there are many more important things than the tasks I get done each day.
What do you do to unwind or relax after a busy week?
In my relationship with my fiancé, I’ve learned to become a full-time soccer lover. We attend every Austin FC game, and I’ve realized that the “other MLS” is pretty awesome! While it’s been a tough year for the Verde and Black this season, we remain ready to take on Messi and expect a winning season next year!
What is your favorite quote?
“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.” ― Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way
I love this quote because it speaks to the reality that you can't truly appreciate the sweet moments in life without having experienced the bitter ones. Personally and professionally, I’ve learned that the balance between the highs and lows shapes who we are. The sweet times give us reasons to celebrate and feel gratitude, but it’s during the bitter moments when we learn the most and become stronger versions of ourselves. Embracing both sides is what gives life depth, meaning, and abundance.