Laura O'Connor was recently named a 2023 Real Estate Newsmaker in the Crusader category by RIS Media. 

In RISMedia’s sixth annual Real Estate Newsmakers showcase, they spotlight some of the industry’s most dynamic individuals for their accomplishments and contributions to their companies, colleagues and clients, and to the larger cause of expanding homeownership. Nominated by the readers of RIS Media, these more than 300 individuals represent real estate champions of all kinds—brokers, agents, executives, technologists, educators, etc.—because successful outcomes depend on the many, not just the few at the top. 

RIS Media reports, "Our 2023 Real Estate Newsmakers are a shining example of not letting market conditions dictate the future, but taking control of your own story instead. Congratulations to our 2023 Hall of Fame and to all of our Newsmaker honorees. We are grateful for your leadership and inspired by the example you set. View the report here

Laura O’Connor’s remarkable efforts as a leader in JPAR have truly set her apart as a true champion of a better way in real estate.

Under her leadership, the company saw many achievements throughout 2023. JPAR ranked third nationwide in the Franchising@Work awards across all industry segments. The firm was also named one of Entrepreneur’s top new and emerging franchises, recognized as a top low-cost franchise brand by Franchise Business Review/Entrepreneur, and named a top franchise by Franchise Business Review.

 Last year, O’Connor launched the JPAR WELL (Women Empowering, Leading and Leveraging) interview series to showcase women who are making an impact in the real estate industry. She also launched the “Know More, Grow More” series to help connect agents to the information they need to help a wider range of people achieve homeownership. O’Connor also helped to roll out comprehensive health, well-being and financial support benefits for all eligible company agents across the nation in 2023 to help better support them.

O’Connor explains that the best part of her job is supporting and tracking the growth of the company’s affiliated owners.

“Owners of brokerages have a direct impact on the performance of the agents in their office and that impacts the communities where those agents work and live,” she explains. “Growth for us is of course tied to helping develop productive agents that can find financial success, but it is also growth as individuals in our knowledge, how we give back and our overall health. Seeing 80% of our owners show up each and every week in our weekly mastermind sessions and reading the reviews and our regular listening sessions is the most rewarding part of my career.”