Robert Reffkin -Compass and Its Leader
Robert Reffkin leads Compass as co-founder and CEO of the online real estate technology company that has disrupted the traditional brokerage model. Compass, founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York City, operates across the U.S., serving tens of thousands of real estate agents through powerful tech tools that help agents build their brand, analyze data, and conduct smarter market research.
As Compass CEO, Robert Reffkin oversees a platform that in 2024 facilitated over $216 billion in transactions and employed roughly 33,000 independent agents nationwide. Under his leadership, Compass went public in April 2021 and quickly became one of the nation’s most talked-about real estate tech firms.
Early Life and Education
Early Life and Background
Robert Reffkin was born on June 7, 1979, in Berkeley, California. His mother, Ruth Reffkin, emigrated from Israel and raised him as a single parent after his African-American father, a jazz musician from Louisiana, abandoned the family. Tragically, his father passed away when Robert was just 11 years old. Disowned by her family due to prejudice, his mother demonstrated resilience an early example of determination that shaped Robert’s worldview.
Education and Teen Entrepreneurship
Robert earned admission to San Francisco University High School through the A Better Chance program. Despite being among very few Black students there, he thrived, and even delivered the school’s 2021 commencement address. At age 15, he launched his first business a DJ company using savings from babysitting and his bar mitzvah to buy equipment. Over time, he built a profitable business playing at school dances, bar mitzvahs, and parties.
After high school, Robert enrolled at Columbia University in 1997 and completed his bachelor’s degree in economics, philosophy, and history in just under two to two and a half years, graduating around 2000. He returned to Columbia Business School and earned his MBA in 2003.
Career Path: From Consulting to White House to Goldmans—and Beyond
Early Career
Immediately after college, Robert became the youngest analyst ever hired by McKinsey & Company (2000–2002), advising Fortune 100 CEOs and working on nonprofit outreach programs. He then shifted to Wall Street first at Lazard as an M&A associate (2002–2005), where he also launched intern programs for underrepresented groups.
Public Service and Goldman Sachs
In 2005, Robert served as a White House Fellow and special assistant to Treasury Secretary John W. Snow (2005–2006). Afterwards, he joined Goldman Sachs, rising to vice president and chief of staff to the President and COO, Gary Cohn.
Philanthropy: Giving Back Through Mentorship
In 2007, Robert founded a nonprofit initially called New York Needs You, now known as America Needs You, to mentor low-income, first-generation college students. To raise funds, he ran marathons across all 50 U.S. states, ultimately raising $1 million to support the initiative.
Launching Compass and Building a Real Estate Tech Leader
In 2012, inspired by the struggles his mother faced as a real estate agent, Robert Reffkin co-founded Compass with Ori Allon. He envisioned a platform where agents could use modern software tools such as branding, data, and market insights to excel in their businesses.
Compass embraced technology-driven brokerage, growing rapidly through acquisitions and innovation. The company went public in April 2021, and at that point, Reffkin’s net worth was estimated at around $500 million.
By 2024, Compass executed over 205,000 transactions and handled $216.8 billion in gross sales, capturing nearly 5% of the U.S. real estate market.
Author and Thought Leader
In 2021, Robert Reffkin co-authored the book No One Succeeds Alone: Learn Everything You Can from Everyone You Can with Peter Koechley, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and community in personal growth. He donates all proceeds from the book to nonprofits that help young people pursue their dreams.
A Lasting Influence
Robert Reffkin as Compass CEO represents a blend of visionary leadership, personal resilience, and community impact. From launching a DJ business as a teen to reshaping real estate through technology, he built Compass into a leading brokerage platform committed to empowering agents. His journey marked by hard-won achievements, mentorship, and innovation continues to inspire.
