The Real Estate Board of New York’s James Whelan, Sandhya Espitia, and Ninve James Named to Inman’s 2026 MLS Executive Power Players List

Recognition honors REBNY leadership for shaping the evolution of Residential Listing Service offerings and advancing innovation to support New York City’s complex and competitive residential market

NEW YORK, NY – The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) is proud to announce that President James Whelan, Chief Operating Officer Sandhya Espitia and Senior Vice President of Residential Brokerage Services and Products Ninve James have been named to Inman’s 2026 MLS Executive Power Players list, honoring the leadership that is pushing boundaries and shaping the future of New York City’s listing ecosystem. This recognition from Inman, a leading real estate news source for agents, brokers, executives and technology leaders, reflects REBNY’s work to strengthen the Residential Listing Service (RLS), the critical technological infrastructure supporting New York City’s residential real estate market.

“REBNY is committed to continued investment in technology, advancing data standards, and promoting transparency to strengthen the residential real estate ecosystem,” said James Whelan, President of the Real Estate Board of New York. “By upgrading our systems and raising the bar for functionality – all while maintaining clean and accurate data – our team ensures members have the tools they need to succeed in one of the most demanding markets in the world. This recognition from Inman reflects the collective work of the RLS team and REBNY’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the Residential Listing Service as the industry gold standard.”

The RLS is designed to operate in one of the most complex and competitive markets in the world, serving more than 500 residential member firms and 11,000 agents. REBNY ensures members have access to a listing system that supports their businesses, protects market integrity and aligns New York City with national standards while respecting local market dynamics. Because of this, we have been recognized with the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) Leading Edge Award for REBNY’s successful transition of the RLS to the RESO Web API, reinforcing its commitment to best-in-class industry practices.

Beyond New York City, Ninve James chaired RESO’s Building Working Group to standardize building data, establishing standards now accessible to more than 500 MLSs and technology providers in the U.S. and around the world. Most recently, REBNY entered into an agreement with Cotality, the leading MLS technology provider serving approximately 80 percent of agents and brokers nationwide, bringing New York City into alignment with national standards while improving data quality and accessibility in a historically fragmented data environment. As the RLS continues to evolve at the intersection of brokerage, technology, and policy, REBNY remains focused on ensuring fairness, collaboration, and transparency across the industry.

Inman’s 2026 MLS Executive Power Players list recognizes those who embrace cutting-edge technologies, redefine industry standards, and propel the MLS into a new era of efficiency and effectiveness. This award underscores the significance of forward-thinking leaders who are instrumental in enhancing the real estate ecosystem.

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ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE BOARD OF NEW YORK

The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) is the City’s leading real estate trade association. Founded in 1896, REBNY represents commercial, residential, and institutional property owners, builders, managers, investors, brokers, and salespeople; banks, financial service companies, utilities, attorneys, architects, and contractors; corporations, co-partnerships, and individuals professionally interested in New York City real estate. REBNY conducts research on various civic matters including tax policy, city planning and zoning, rental conditions, land use policy, building codes, and other city, state, and federal legislation. REBNY regularly publishes market data, policy reports, and broker surveys. In addition, REBNY provides for its members: informational, technical, and technological resources; networking and charitable service opportunities; qualifying and continuing education courses; professional education programs, seminars, and designations; career-changing awards; legal advice; and a wide range of additional member benefits. For more information, please visit www.rebny.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Chris Santarelli

212-616-5249

Communications@rebny.com