May 01, 2026

The REALTORS® to Watch award honors REALTORS® under 40 for exemplary leadership, community involvement, and professionalism. Texas REALTORS® has named six exceptional members as 2025 REALTORS® to Watch.

“This year’s honorees have distinguished themselves not just as professionals, but as leaders in their communities,” says 2026 Texas REALTORS® Chairman Jennifer Wauhob. “They will be shaping the future of the REALTOR® association and the markets they serve for years to come.”

Years of experience

more than 10 years at age 29

Anastasia Pena

Anastasia Pena graduated high school at 16, started working as a receptionist for a real estate school, and got her license at 18.

“Growing up in poverty and the desire to pull yourself up to get your family into a better life has pushed me every day since I was 16 years old,” she says.

When she was starting out, it was hard to convince clients to entrust their largest financial purchase to a teenager.

After working as a broker and team lead, the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program graduate is now a compliance manager for Better Homes and Gardens Gary Greene assisting agents with complex transactions and issues. She also co-founded a Houston-area property management company, Maven Property Care.

Pena has also been active in her local and state YPN and is serving as 2026 HAR YPN chair. She has also been involved with the Women’s Council of REALTORS®.

“I demonstrate my leadership through applying myself and being a servant leader,” she explains. “My team relies on me to help them navigate tough situations with their clients.”

AWARD WINNER

Hambright won the 2023 Texas REALTORS® Grassroots Advocate of the Year for her work impacting tax transparency in Tom Green County.

Ashley Hambright

Volunteering with the REALTOR® association has been a priority for Ashley Hambright. The 2023 San Angelo Association of REALTORS® chairman has served on numerous local committees and is a Texas REALTORS® director and TREPAC trustee.

“Get involved—whether it’s at the local, state, or national level—at whatever level you feel confident. It will feed your soul, bring happiness, and deepen the fulfillment you feel as a professional,” says the TRLP graduate.

She credits her involvement with growing her professional network, strengthening her leadership and communication skills, and giving her a broader perspective.

Hambright strives to be the agent she wishes she’d had when she and her husband bought their first home. The process left them feeling uneasy at times with many questions and few answers.

“I want to be that person who provides clarity, support, and guidance during what is an exciting, and at times overwhelming, chapter in life,” the sales associate says.

Volunteering

Jane Around the World, Project C.U.R.E., Kids’ Meals, BEAR

Jenniffer Burnley

“Real estate offers me the opportunity to merge my skills with my passion for connecting with people,” says Jenniffer Burnley.

The lead associate brings an analytical, tech-savvy perspective to her Houston-area business by drawing on her computer science degree and banking management experience.

When she moved to Houston, she did not have any family or close personal connections in the city. She worked hard to grow her sphere of influence.

Burnley has learned that real estate is about trust, connection, and consistency. Going the extra mile for clients and nurturing relationships over time leads to repeat business and referrals. “As a proud Latina professional from Peru, I understand the challenges and dreams of individuals from diverse backgrounds, especially those who might be navigating the complexities of real estate for the first time,” says the TRLP graduate. “It is incredibly rewarding to serve as a trusted guide for my clients in achieving their real estate goals and creating wealth.”

Designations

ABR, CRB, ePRO, GRI, HFR, PSA, RENE, TRLP

Joseph Towns

Broker Associate Joseph Towns says optimism is a strategy, not a result. “Wealth is keeping your fire lit so you can light others’ fires,” he adds.

The Five Points Board of REALTORS® president-elect says his success in real estate is completely dependent on showing up, proximity to other leaders, excellent affiliate relationships, and his supportive and encouraging wife.

Towns continues his education through classes with his local REALTOR® association, local title companies and lenders, and state and national conferences. He volunteers with his church and local organizations. Towns has served on several committees with his local REALTOR® board, including the Strategic Planning Task Force, Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Finance Committee. He has also been a TREPAC major investor since 2019/2020.

“As a leader on my local REALTOR® board, I’ve learned that nothing I do is worth anything unless I also prepare the way for future leaders by paving the road, casting a vision, and growing the next leader to pass the torch,” he says.

Major Investor

Miller says she invests in TREPAC to support advocacy efforts that protect the industry and clients’ property rights.

Karla Miller

Karla Miller has learned that success comes from action. “In real estate, you have to have grit and the determination to figure things out, even when no one is there to guide you,” the sales associate says.

Prior to becoming a real estate agent, Miller had been a licensed insurance agent and agency owner. She was looking for a career that highlighted her strengths while giving her the flexibility to be there for her children. “As a mom of three and a full-time agent, I’ve had to learn how to manage my time, stay organized, and keep pushing forward even on the hardest days,” she says.

As a director and YPN committee chair, she has led initiatives that support local causes and showcase how members give back.

In 2025, she was honored as REALTOR® of the Year by the Harlingen Board of REALTORS®. She has already earned her ABR, C2EX, and AHWD certifications and plans to continue growing through education, mentorship, and leadership roles within the Harlingen Board of REALTORS® and YPN.

Other Businesses

Kreis also owns two candy stores and a gift shop in Oklahoma.

Tyler Kreis

Flipping houses with his father-in-law taught Tyler Kreis how real estate could change lives and create long-term wealth and the freedom to pursue new opportunities. Kreis went into real estate to give these things to his family and to guide clients, investors, and eventually other agents toward success, too.

In addition to closing his own transactions, Kreis mentors and sponsors 18 agents as a designated broker/owner. “When I launched TK Realty, I quickly realized that success was no longer just about my own production but about creating systems, culture, and mentorship that allowed other agents to thrive,” he says. He serves as a director of the MetroTex Association of REALTORS® and Texas REALTORS®. He was also the MetroTex YPN chair in 2024 and 2025.

The TRLP graduate is active in community and charity events such as Celebrate Roanoke and Roanoke Trunk or Treat. “The roles that have impacted me the most are the ones where I see the direct results of service, whether feeding families, sponsoring local kids’ programs, or mentoring agents who also pour into their communities.”