Rory Golod builds businesses the way top agents build markets: with relentless execution and a bias for growth. He joined Compass in 2014 after roles in Global Analytics at Bloomberg and in Operations & Strategy at Yext, and he earned his B.A. from the University of Richmond where he won the Robins School Business Plan Competition. Away from the boardroom, Rory talks about the grit he learned growing up in Cold Spring Harbor (and still picks up the guitar when he can) a human touch that comes through in his leadership style.

Inside Compass, Rory rose from chief of staff to Founder & CEO Robert Reffkin to regional president in New York, where he oversaw strategy and operations for 2,000+ agents across 24 offices with 200 employees. Today as President of Growth & Communications, he’s been a driving force in Compass’s expansion and industry consolidation highlighted by deals such as Latter & Blum and Parks Realty, and the announced acquisition of Christie’s International Real Estate and @properties (Christie’s closed in Jan 2025). Those moves helped Compass retain its position as the #1 U.S. brokerage by sales volume and post record market share gains in 2025. Rory’s impact has been recognized with Crain’s New York 40 Under 40 (2024) and a 2025 Swanepoel Power 200 ranking.

Rory’s session promises to be one of the highlights of the day, bringing fresh perspective and actionable ideas for agents who want to win more listings and stay ahead of the curve. He may touch on strategies like using Private Exclusives and Coming Soon to drive demand, Compass’s innovative phased marketing approach, or even the newest AI tools that are transforming how agents manage their business. Whatever direction he takes, attendees will walk away with valuable insights and the kind of inspiration that only happens live at Fusion Growth Partners’ Real Estate Symposium Rally in Denver on October 24th.

Michael Valdes brings both heart and hustle to the global real estate stage. With nearly two decades of leadership experience including key roles at Sotheby’s International Realty, Anywhere Real Estate, and a high-impact tenure at eXp Realty, Michael’s journey is one of constant evolution and empathy. Raised with a passion for empowering agents, he’s known for translating industry turbulence into clarity and opportunity. His graph into the CEO role at LPT International began with a chance meeting at Super Bowl LVIII with founder Robert Palmer igniting a shared vision for building agent-first growth during times of industry change.

Michael’s track record reads like a global growth playbook. At eXp Realty, he started as President of eXp Global in 2020 and was soon promoted to Chief Growth Officer, where he helped scale the firm from ~20,000 to ~90,000 agents across 24 countries adding 60,000 agents in under three years Now, as CEO of LPT International, he’s applying that international expansion playbook to the world’s fastest-growing cloud-based brokerage overseeing launches in Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and more, while guiding a network that already spans more than 10,000 agents across 24 states . His credentials are built on bold numbers and even bolder vision.

Michael’s session promises to be a powerful accelerator for agents who are serious about growth. He may share insights into innovative models like LPT’s “Agent Choice” hybrid compensation approach, explore ways agents can strengthen their brand presence, or discuss how teams are navigating the post-NAR settlement landscape. Whatever he chooses to focus on, you can count on walking away with fresh strategies and inspiration that can help move your business forward. Don’t miss Michael on stage at Fusion Growth Partners’ Real Estate Symposium Rally in Denver on October 24th.

From ground-level grind to industry authority Byron Lazine is a living case study in how creative hustle meets strategic leadership. As the Co-founding Chief of Operations at BAM (Broke Agent Media), he's helped turn sharp, irreverent content into a full-content powerhouse that educates and energizes agents daily. Paired with his role leading The One Team the #1 total transaction team in Connecticut Byron blends editorial vision with real-world execution in a rare way.

A daily voice that cuts through the noise Byron’s voice reaches agents across screens and airwaves from hosting The Real Word and The Walk Thru to launching his own Byron Lazine Podcast, and moderating the daily 5AM Call, a live kickstarter for real estate professionals nationwide. He’s also held a syndicated FM presence with Real Estate Radio, reaching listeners across NY, CT, and RI for nearly a decade. Beyond broadcasting, Byron’s influence extends to the conference stage delivering keynotes at major industry events like Inman Connect (NY & Vegas), Tom Ferry Summit, Sales Edge, Sotheby’s GNE, and more.

Byron’s session is set to be a high-energy highlight of the Rally, packed with ideas to help agents win attention and build trust in today’s noisy market. He may dive into how content-driven strategies can fuel credibility, what it takes to lead a high-performance team, or even the tactics behind creating daily media that keeps clients engaged. From scripting live shows to turning followers into appointments, Byron brings the kind of real-world perspective and energy that will leave you motivated to take action. Make sure you’re in the room for his session at Fusion Growth Partners’ Real Estate Symposium Rally in Denver on October 24th.

Brian Hoialmen brings startup-speed strategy and real-world tech muscle to the table. As Chief Strategy Officer at Lofty (formerly Chime Technologies), Brian leverages over two decades of leadership in real estate SaaS ranging from Inside Real Estate and Zurple to Kunversion and Z57 to guide invite-only brokerages, teams, and brands into the AI era. He's known for scaling sales functions, architecting growth playbooks, and shaping platforms that power agent success at every level.

He’s on the front lines of real-time disruption arming agents before the wave hits. In a recent sit-down with HousingWire, Brian delivered a forward-looking call to action: as real estate consolidates and cross-sector platforms vie for control, agents must act decisively to preserve their “quarterback” role in transactions. His strategy is clearly integrate AI natively, elevate the agent, and build relationship-first CRMs that scale, not replace. “The buck starts at the agent level… AI can’t shake your hand and take you out for coffee,” he emphasized.

Brian’s session will be a can’t-miss opportunity for agents who want to turn technology into real results. He may share how to build a “search-to-settlement” approach that keeps clients engaged from first click to closing, explore how mobile-first tools and CRM workflows can strengthen client relationships, or highlight plug-and-play systems like Lofty that drive local business. Whatever direction he takes, you’ll leave with practical insights and forward-looking strategies to keep your business competitive. Don’t miss Brian at Fusion Growth Partners’ Real Estate Symposium Rally in Denver on October 24th.

Brian Sciutto’s path started on the agent side he entered real estate as a San Diego Realtor in 2004 before finding his calling in lending, where he quickly opened and scaled his own branch. Today he serves homebuyers and top agents as a Senior Vice President at CrossCountry Mortgage and a nationally recognized coach with The CORE Training. Along the way he’s built a reputation for taking the stress out of financing and turning complex scenarios into clear, winnable game plans for clients and partners alike.

On the production side, Brian leads one of the nation’s standout mortgage teams and is consistently recognized for both volume and client experience earning honors such as Mortgage Executive Magazine’s Top 1% in America, Top 200 Loan Officers, Top 25 in the U.S. for Customer Service, and the 5-Star Professional award. His CrossCountry Mortgage profile reflects a 4.96 rating across hundreds of verified reviews, and his day-to-day focus spans the products agents rely on most: conventional, jumbo, purchase, refi, and VA. When your deal needs certainty, communication, and speed, Brian’s team is built for exactly that.

Brian’s session promises to be a fast-paced, no-fluff highlight of the day, packed with the same strategies he teaches as a CORE coach and applies with his own team every week. He may cover how temporary buydowns can win tight negotiations, the right way to use down-payment assistance, or how airtight pre-approval processes help listings go pending faster with fewer surprises. However he approaches it, you can count on walking away with financing tactics designed to drive signed listings and closed escrows right now. Don’t miss Brian Sciutto at Fusion Growth Partners’ Real Estate Symposium Rally in Denver on October 24th.

Ryan Lundquist has been appraising homes in the Sacramento area since 2003, but what makes him stand out isn’t just his certifications it’s his gift for making the housing market make sense. A trusted voice to homeowners, agents, attorneys, lenders, and government agencies, Ryan has built a career on providing clarity in complex situations like estate settlements, divorce cases, and pre-listing valuations. He was recognized as Affiliate of the Year by the Sacramento Association of Realtors and named a Notable Business Leader to Watch by Sacramento Magazine, affirming both his credibility and his impact in the industry.

Ryan is also the creator of the Sacramento Appraisal Blog, one of the most widely read real estate blogs in the country. His ability to take raw data charts, comps, and concessions and translate it into clear, engaging insights has earned him a loyal following of agents who rely on his updates to win listings and educate clients. Beyond the blog, he’s a frequent educator, sharing practical, data-driven advice through brokerage trainings, industry conferences, and his regular column in Comstock’s magazine. His approach balances professional rigor with a relatable, human touch that agents trust.

Ryan’s session is set to be a standout—practical, data-savvy, and immediately useful in listing appointments. He may explore how to anticipate and explain buyer behavior, ways to frame comps amid a shifting commission landscape, and how to use visuals that turn market data into persuasive storytelling. However he approaches it, you’ll leave with tools to sharpen credibility, educate sellers, and win more listings with confidence. Don’t miss Ryan Lundquist at Fusion Growth Partners’ Real Estate Symposium Rally in Denver on October 24th.

Rick Warner’s story is fuel for anyone who believes in second chances and big outcomes. A Marin County native who rebuilt his life from early addiction and homelessness, Rick credits a supportive community, daily discipline, and service to others for a 30-plus-year turnaround. That perspective shows up in everything he does from mentoring agents to the way he champions clients and it’s why his coaching rooms feel as real as they are uplifting.

On the business side, Rick is a 20-year Broker Associate serving Marin and Sonoma counties (CA DRE #01438566), a certified Probate & Trust Specialist, and the team leader behind The We Group producing roughly $20–30M in annual volume. He’s known for high-stakes negotiation, complex life-event sales, and a consultative, data-driven approach that’s helped sell 500+ homes across Southern Sonoma and Marin. Agents also know him as a straight-talk coach whose playbooks actually get used on Monday.

Rick’s session is poised to be a can’t-miss experience that blends heart, habit, and hard numbers—delivered through the lens of his own powerful journey. He may share key pieces of his Daily Navigator System (the non-negotiable routine that keeps pipelines full), along with listing scripts, probate and attorney referral frameworks, and accountability tactics that push deals forward fast. He may also touch on the theme that “there is no growth in comfort”—adding extra weight to his story and the strategies he’ll share. Don’t miss Rick Warner at Fusion Growth Partners’ Real Estate Symposium Rally in Denver on October 24th.