Kamini Lane didn’t follow a traditional path to real estate. She leapt into the industry from tech and branding—and then kept leaping. Today, she’s the President and CEO of Coldwell Banker Realty, one of the most recognized names in real estate. But her leadership story isn’t just about titles or vertical climbs. It’s about courage, clarity, and choosing yourself—even when the timing isn’t perfect.
From Strategy Decks to Real Estate Grit
Kamini’s early career spanned brand strategy at Interbrand and executive marketing roles in Silicon Valley, including at eBay and Tradesy. She hadn’t bought or sold a home when she was recruited into a GM role at Compass. “I didn’t even know what a real estate commission was,” she recalls with a laugh. But she saw something bigger: an industry built on people, relationships, and impact.
That leap came during a personal storm—grieving her father, caring for a sick mother, and raising a toddler solo. “Everything else felt hard,” she says. “I needed to feel proud of myself.” The job shift became a metaphor for choosing growth amid grief.
Redefining Readiness
A second leap came when Kamini was tapped to lead Coldwell Banker Realty. She was pregnant, already leading Sotheby’s International Realty, and instinctively wanted to say no. But with support from her husband, she said yes—on her own terms. “It’s never the perfect time,” she reflects. “But I was going to make it work for me.”
Her decision signals something powerful for women leaders: readiness isn’t about perfection—it’s about belief, boundaries, and values.
Turning Pain Into Power
Kamini opens up about a pivotal moment in her career—when a global CEO told her she was “too pretty to be taken seriously.” The fallout was public. She was pregnant and doubting her prospects. But the arrival of her daughter reframed everything. “What story am I modeling for her?” she asked herself. Kamini left that company, joined a woman-founded startup, and rebuilt with purpose.
That moment didn’t define her. But her response did.
Leadership That’s Human First
Kamini leads with a blend of data and deep care. During COVID, she resisted the dehumanizing pull of spreadsheets and instead chose to see people as individuals. “That wasn’t a popular decision,” she admits. “But it was the right one.”
Her leadership philosophy? Know your people. Prime them to listen. Give feedback with care, and receive it with curiosity. And most importantly—model the honesty you want from your team.
The Art of Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy is a skill Kamini learned to master. She teaches women leaders to build a “library of impact”—a personal file of wins, problem-solving moments, and business contributions. “When you have receipts,” she says, “you can show up with confidence.”
Creating Space to Thrive
Kamini doesn’t chase balance. She builds a life that works. From napping on her office couch to hiring home support, she unapologetically structures her world around energy—not ego. “I need eight hours of sleep,” she says. “And I make sure I get them.”
Trusting the Click
If she could advise her younger self, it’d be simple: trust the click. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. And when it does? Go all in. “So much of leadership is about knowing yourself—and trusting yourself,” she says.
About Kamini Lane
Kamini Lane is the President and CEO of Coldwell Banker Realty. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Prior to real estate, Kamini built her career in brand strategy and executive marketing roles in tech. She is known for her people-first leadership style, operational excellence, and clarity under pressure.