The Real Brokerage has named Ravi Jani as its new chief financial officer. His appointment is effective immediately and follows the departure of former CFO Michelle Ressler, who was terminated amid an ongoing internal investigation.
Jani, who joined Real in September 2023 as vice president of investor relations and financial planning and analysis, steps into the role as the company experiences significant growth.
The number of agents at Real has more than doubled — from roughly 12,000 to more than 27,000 — expanding the firm’s reach across North America.
“Ravi brings a unique combination of strategic finance expertise and an investor’s perspective at a pivotal moment in Real’s trajectory,” said Tamir Poleg, chairman and CEO of Real. “His financial acumen, market insight, and collaborative approach have already made a meaningful impact on our organization. As CFO, Ravi will be instrumental in driving our next chapter of growth, margin expansion and value creation.”
Before joining Real, Jani held leadership roles in investor relations at Blade Air Mobility Inc., and he worked as an investment analyst at Citadel LLC and Anchor Bolt Capital LP.
He began his career in investment banking at Bank of America and Moelis & Co. He has more than 15 years of experience in capital markets, financial strategy and investor engagement.
During his tenure at Real, Jani has also contributed to corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and the development of new products — including Real Wallet, a financial tool for agents. He initiated Real’s monthly agent sentiment survey, which has become a popular industry metric for market trends.
“Real has reached an exciting inflection point,” Jani said in a statement. “As we enter this next chapter, my focus will be on driving execution, expanding margins, and allocating capital to create long-term value for agents, consumers, and shareholders.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity and honored to join Real’s executive team to help lead the company through its next phase of growth.”
Jani was recently named a 2025 HousingWire Rising Star, which recognizes young leaders who drive change in the housing industry.
“Real has had extraordinary growth over the past few years, which is a testament to the strength of the company’s business model, technology platform, and strong leadership,” said Larry Klane, a Real board member, lead independent director and chair of its audit committee.
“We are confident in Ravi’s ability to lead the company’s financial strategy with rigor and transparency as Real continues to scale.”
Real said it’s addressing concerns related to Jani’s predecessor as he steps into the CFO’s role. The company said Ressler’s employment was terminated based on its assessment that she engaged in actions that violated company policies.
While the firm’s review of Ressler’s actions is ongoing, the company said it does not believe her actions had any material impact on previously issued financial statements.
