For decades, Leslie Appleton-Young has been one of the most influential voices in real estate. As the longtime Chief Economist for the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.), co-founder of WomanUP!®, and now Chief Economist at First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) in Atlanta, Leslie has blended data-driven insight with a deep commitment to equity, mentorship, and leadership.

In this candid conversation, Leslie reflects on her journey into economics, her groundbreaking career at C.A.R., and the lessons she’s carried into her role today. She opens up about staying true to her values, mentoring the next generation of women leaders, and navigating an industry that’s both evolving and grappling with big challenges.

Highlights from the Episode

From Love of Literature to Economics

Leslie’s academic path began with a passion for English literature, but she chose economics for its mix of history, sociology, math, and philosophy. That decision set the foundation for her lifelong focus on understanding—and explaining—market trends.

Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Field

Leslie candidly shares what it was like to pursue economics as a woman in the 1970s and 80s—a field rife with exclusion and harassment. Her story is one of resilience, finding mentorship in unexpected places, and ultimately redefining what it means to be an economist: not just crunching numbers, but educating and empowering others.

Housing Affordability: A National Crisis

From California to Barcelona, Leslie highlights how housing affordability has become a global challenge. She underscores how today’s affordability crisis is reshaping who can buy homes, where people choose to live, and what the future of real estate looks like.

Professionalism in Real Estate

Drawing on decades of experience, Leslie speaks candidly about the persistent gaps in professionalism and ethics across the industry. While organized real estate has tools to raise standards, she argues that true accountability comes when consumers are empowered with transparency around things like total transactions an agent has managed.

Women in Leadership & Mentorship

As co-founder of WomanUP!Ⓡ, Leslie has spent years advocating for women to take up leadership space in real estate. She urges women not only to tell their own stories but to mentor others and create opportunities. Her advice? “Do esteemable acts”—and invite others in.

A Career of Impact & What’s Next

Looking back, Leslie is proudest of launching WomanUP!Ⓡ, and building meaningful platforms for brokers and agents to connect. Today, she’s enjoying her role at FMLS, spending time with family, and continuing to mentor the next generation of leaders.

Resources

• WomanUP!® – C.A.R.’s initiative supporting women brokerage leaders
• We Need to Talk by Celeste Headlee
• Hate the Game by Daryl Fairweather
• Humans Are Underrated by Geoff Colvin

About Leslie Appleton-Young

Leslie Appleton-Young is Chief Economist at First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) in Atlanta. She previously served as Chief Economist at the California Association of Realtors, where she became one of the most respected voices on housing markets, economic cycles, and real estate policy. She co-founded WomanUP!®, an initiative to mentor and elevate women leaders in real estate, and continues to champion equity, transparency, and professionalism in the industry.