Rainy Hake Austin is President of The Agency, a globally recognised luxury real estate brokerage with operations spanning residential sales, ancillary services, and an international franchise network. With 25 years of experience at the highest levels of the industry, she has held senior leadership roles at Alain Pinel Realtors and Compass, and holds an MBA from the University of Oxford with a focus on international marketing and strategy.

Named Executive of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2023 and the recipient of multiple women of influence awards, she is one of the most respected figures in luxury real estate today.

You have spent 25 years building a career at the highest levels of real estate, holding senior roles at Alain Pinel Realtors and Compass before taking the helm as President of The Agency. Looking back, what were the pivotal decisions that shaped your path to leading one of the most recognisable real estate brands in the world?

“If I look back over the past 25 years, it’s less about one defining moment and more about a series of intentional decisions around where I chose to grow and who I chose to learn from. Early in my career at Alain Pinel, I built a strong foundation in service and brand integrity. Moving to Compass was another pivotal step, pushing me to think differently about innovation and scale as the industry evolved.

“The most defining decision, though, was joining The Agency. It was an opportunity to help shape a brand that is both entrepreneurial and deeply human, and to build something global without losing the culture and collaboration that matter most.”

The Agency has built an impressive global presence spanning residential sales, ancillary services, and franchise operations. What has driven that growth, and how have you created the kind of culture and foundations that allow a business of this scale to continue to flourish?

“What’s driven our growth at The Agency is actually quite simple. We’ve been incredibly disciplined about building a brand that people want to be part of, not just work for.

“From day one, we’ve focused on culture as a business strategy. That means prioritising collaboration over competition, investing in our people, and creating an environment where agents and partners feel genuinely supported, whether that’s through our ancillary services and new business verticals like The Agency Art House, our new development offering or our global franchise network. Growth has been a natural by product of that, not the goal in and of itself.

“We’ve also been very intentional about how we scale. Every new office, every new partner, has to align with our values and our standard of excellence. In fact, I personally meet and interview every prospective partner before we move forward. That consistency is what allows us to expand globally without diluting the brand.”

Luxury real estate is a sector where clients have the highest of expectations, and The Agency has built a reputation for meeting them. What does exceptional client experience look like at this level, and what role have you played in shaping the standards the brand is known for?

“At the luxury level, exceptional client experience isn’t just about service, it’s about anticipation. It’s understanding what a client needs before they have to ask, and delivering it in a way that feels seamless, highly personalised, and completely tailored to their lifestyle.

“At The Agency, that standard is deeply embedded in how we operate. It’s not just about the transaction, it’s about being a trusted advisor across every touchpoint, from how a home is positioned in the market to how we guide clients through complex, often emotional decisions with discretion and care.

“My role has really been about helping define and protect that standard as we scale. As you grow, it becomes even more important to create clear expectations around what excellence looks like, and to ensure our agents and staff have the tools, resources, and support to deliver at that level consistently. That includes in-depth training opportunities with industry experts and luxury brands on best practices. 

“Ultimately, luxury today is less about price point and more about experience. For us, that means creating something that feels effortless for the client, even though there’s an extraordinary amount of intention behind the scenes.”

Women are making significant strides in senior leadership across the real estate industry, and you stand as a prominent example of what that looks like at the highest level. As President of one of the world’s most recognised real estate brokerages, what opportunities do you see for women building careers in this sector, and what advice would you give to those with ambitions to lead?

“What’s exciting about this moment is that the industry is finally catching up to what strong leadership actually looks like. It’s not about who’s the loudest in the room or who closes the most deals in isolation. It’s about building teams, earning trust, and creating cultures where people do their best work. Women who have been leading that way for years are now getting the recognition they always deserved.

“At The Agency, we’ve been very intentional about creating pathways for growth and leadership, and I believe the opportunity for women in this industry is only continuing to expand, across brokerage, development, marketing, and beyond.

“My advice is to be very clear about the value you bring and not wait for permission to step into leadership. Seek out environments that support your growth, align yourself with people who challenge and elevate you, and be willing to take on roles that stretch you, even before you feel completely ready. And more importantly, bring your perspective with you. The most impactful leaders aren’t trying to fit a mold, they’re shaping the future of the industry by showing up authentically and building cultures that reflect that.”

You have been named Executive of the Year, received multiple women of influence awards, and are consistently recognised as one of the leading figures in the industry. What does that kind of recognition mean to you, and how does it fuel your ambition for what The Agency can achieve next?

“Recognition is always meaningful, but for me, it’s less about the individual accolade and more about what it represents. These acknowledgments reflect the strength of the team, the culture we’ve built, and the collective work happening every day at The Agency.

“But if I’m being honest, they also raise the stakes. We’re in a position now where The Agency has real momentum, a growing global footprint, a brand that people genuinely want to be part of, and the question I’m focused on is how we use that. How do we become the defining luxury real estate brand of this generation? That’s the ambition. The recognition just confirms we’re on the right track.”

Empowering your team appears to be central to how you lead. How do you approach building a culture where agents, operators, and franchise partners all feel genuinely supported, particularly across a business that spans multiple divisions?

“Empowerment at The Agency really comes down to balance, giving people both the support and the autonomy to do their best work.

“We start with clarity around our vision, values, and expectations so there’s alignment across every division. From there, it’s about staying connected, ensuring our agents, operators, and franchise partners feel supported, resourced, and part of something bigger, no matter where they are.

“Ultimately, it comes down to trust. When you give people the space to lead and remove barriers, you create a culture where they can truly thrive.”

The Agency’s franchise network is one of the most exciting areas of its growth story. What makes the brand so well suited to expansion across diverse markets, and how do you ensure that the same quality and culture that defines the business at its core is carried through as the network continues to grow?

“Our franchise growth at The Agency works because the brand translates across markets. It’s built on collaboration, elevated service, and a strong identity, which resonates whether you’re in a global city or an emerging market.

“We’re also very selective about our partners, ensuring they align with our values and standards. That’s what allows us to scale without diluting the brand.

“From there, it’s about support and connection, giving our partners the infrastructure and resources they need while empowering them to lead locally. That balance is what keeps the experience consistent as we grow.”

The real estate industry is evolving rapidly, driven by technology, shifting buyer behaviour, and new market dynamics. For a brand with The Agency’s reach and reputation, where do you see the greatest opportunities ahead, and how are you positioning the business to capitalise on them?

“The industry is evolving quickly, but for us at The Agency, that creates opportunity. As many brokerages consolidate, we’ve taken a different approach, continuing to expand thoughtfully and positioning ourselves as one of the only true global, boutique luxury brands.

“We’re seeing more cross-market movement and a growing demand for seamless, high-touch experiences, which plays directly to our strengths. Our focus is on investing in the right technology and platform to support our agents while preserving the human connection that defines our business.

“Ultimately, the opportunity is in balancing innovation with experience, staying forward-thinking while continuing to deliver the level of service and trust our clients expect.”

For professionals who aspire to senior leadership in real estate or the broader property sector, what is the most important thing they should focus on developing, and what has your own journey taught you about what it truly takes to lead at this level?

“If I had to distill it down, it’s about moving before you feel ready, because that moment of total readiness rarely comes. I never waited for permission to step into leadership. I backed my own read of a situation, took on roles that stretched me, and figured out things as I went. The confidence didn’t come first, the action did. I think that’s the thing most aspiring leaders underestimate, you don’t build conviction by waiting for it, you build it by doing. 

“Strong leaders aren’t waiting until they have all the answers, they’re willing to step forward, make decisions, and evolve as they go. Growth comes from leaning into challenges, staying curious, and being open to learning at every stage. Leadership at this level is really about backing your perspective while continuing to refine it, and having the resilience to keep moving forward as the business and industry evolve.”