Congratulations to Kendra Murray on her appointment as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® (GAAR) and Southwest Multiple Listing Service (SWMLS)! I have had the pleasure of working with Kendra in several of her previous leadership positions, and I could not be happier to see her take on this exciting new opportunity.

Kendra brings a terrific combination of association management expertise and MLS leadership experience. Those are two very different disciplines, and finding an executive who understands both equally well is not always easy. Kendra has spent more than 20 years building that expertise, leading REALTOR® associations in Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. Most recently, she served as CEO of the Vail Board of REALTORS®, following leadership positions with Incline Village REALTORS® in Nevada and the Carbon-Emery Board of REALTORS® in Utah.

What I have always appreciated about Kendra is her collaborative leadership style, her commitment to the organizations she serves, and her ability to work effectively with volunteer leaders and staff. She brings a strong understanding of governance, financial management, advocacy, technology, and the increasingly complex challenges facing associations and MLSs.

Her arrival comes at an especially exciting time for Southwest MLS. Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of facilitating the strategic planning process for SWMLS. I was impressed by the forward-thinking approach of its leadership team and Board of Directors. The group developed an ambitious strategy designed to strengthen the organization’s future, protect the valuable listing data entrusted to it by brokers, embrace artificial intelligence, and help subscribers get much more business value from the impressive suite of technology tools already available to them.

The resulting SWMLS 2026–2027 Strategic Roadmap focuses on modernizing MLS operations and governance, strengthening customer service and training, expanding responsible use of AI, and helping brokers and agents achieve greater business success.

SWMLS is already putting several of those priorities into motion, including initiatives to strengthen data distribution and protection, expand AI-enabled capabilities, and increase subscribers’ understanding and utilization of the MLS’s technology offerings.

Kendra is stepping into an organization with an exciting vision and a clear direction. Her experience navigating the distinct responsibilities of associations and MLSs, while finding opportunities for productive collaboration between them, should be particularly valuable as GAAR and SWMLS pursue their respective strategic priorities.

I believe GAAR and SWMLS are extremely well positioned for continued growth and innovation with Kendra at the helm. They have strong strategic foundations, committed volunteer leadership, and now an experienced CEO who understands how to turn organizational priorities into meaningful results for members and subscribers.

Congratulations, Kendra! I am so happy for you and for the entire Albuquerque real estate community. I look forward to watching all that you, your Boards, and your teams accomplish together!

Full Press Release

Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® and Southwest Multiple Listing Service

Kendra Murray Brings 20+ Years of Association Leadership to Albuquerque

The Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® (GAAR) and Southwest Multiple Listing Service (SWMLS) are pleased to announce Kendra Murray as their next Chief Executive Officer. Murray will begin her tenure in Albuquerque on Monday, October 12, 2026, bringing more than two decades of REALTOR® association and MLS leadership experience to both organizations.

Her appointment marks an exciting new chapter for GAAR and SWMLS as the organizations continue their commitment to delivering value, strengthening services and resources, and positioning members and subscribers for success in an evolving real estate industry.

Kendra joins GAAR and SWMLS with extensive experience leading REALTOR® associations across Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. Her background in association governance, strategic planning, MLS administration, advocacy, member engagement, and organizational development will support GAAR as it continues to evolve alongside the needs of its members and the real estate industry.

As CEO, Kendra will work closely with both the GAAR and SWMLS Boards of Directors, along with staff, volunteer leaders, members, Participants, Subscribers, and community partners. Her collaborative approach to leadership aligns with both organizations’ focus on strong communication, transparent decision-making, innovation, and providing meaningful value to the real estate professionals they serve.

Kendra’s MLS experience will also play an important role in supporting SWMLS and its strategic priorities. Working alongside the SWMLS Board of Directors and staff, she will help guide efforts surrounding data integrity, technology, targeted engagement, support, and training. Her experience navigating the relationship between REALTOR® associations and MLS organizations will help strengthen collaboration between GAAR and SWMLS while recognizing the distinct roles and priorities of each organization.

GAAR and SWMLS look forward to welcoming Kendra to Albuquerque and introducing her to members and subscribers in the weeks ahead. There will be opportunities to meet Kendra, learn more about her leadership approach, and welcome her to the Greater Albuquerque real estate community following her arrival in October.

Meet Kendra Murray

Kendra Murray brings more than 20 years of experience in REALTOR® association management, with a proven track record of organizational leadership, strategic planning, member engagement, and industry advocacy. She joins the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® (GAAR) after serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Vail Board of REALTORS® in Colorado. Previously, she served as CEO of Incline Village REALTORS® in Nevada and the Carbon-Emery Board of REALTORS® in Utah.

Throughout her career, Kendra has strengthened REALTOR® associations through collaborative leadership, sound financial management, innovative member services, and meaningful industry partnerships. Her experience spans association governance, MLS administration, advocacy, strategic planning, and organizational development. She holds the REALTOR® Certified Executive (RCE) designation, reflecting her dedication to professional excellence in association management.

Kendra is passionate about building strong relationships with members, volunteer leaders, staff, and community partners. She believes successful associations are built on collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to providing value to their members. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes empowering others, embracing new opportunities, and positioning associations to meet the evolving needs of the real estate industry.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Kendra values community involvement and believes REALTORS® play a vital role in strengthening the communities they serve.

As she steps into her new role at GAAR, Kendra looks forward to connecting with members, supporting the Board of Directors and staff, and building on the Association’s successes. She is excited to become part of the Greater Albuquerque community and contribute to the continued growth, innovation, and success of GAAR and its members.

Original announcement: https://www.gaar.com/swmls/blog/article/gaar-welcomes-kendra-murray-as-chief-executive-officer

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