Meet Brett Matsuura, Vice President, Learning and Development, Coldwell Banker Real Estate

New to Coldwell Banker but an experienced training pro, Brett Matsuura brings years of expertise to our brand’s learning team

Coldwell Banker Real Estate recently welcomed Brett Matsuura as the new vice president of Coldwell Banker learning and development as of Jan. 16. Brett has worked with different Anywhere brands beginning in 2017 and is now coming aboard Coldwell Banker. Let’s learn more about Brett. 

Welcome, Brett! Tell us about your new role: 

Thank you, I’m so excited to be here at Coldwell Banker! I will oversee a team of professional trainers as they work to support the Coldwell Banker brand’s network of over 100,000 affiliated agents. 

I am going to focus on strategic learning initiatives that leverage our company’s experienced trainers to empower real estate professionals to grow their businesses, exceed their goals and live exceptional lives by offering world-class coaching, education and support enabling them to make a lasting impact on their communities and around the world. 

What were you up to before joining Coldwell Banker? 

I was most recently on the Anywhere client success team as a senior trainer for Sotheby’s International Realty (SIR) and established a robust and thriving learning and development program that serves SIR company-owned and franchisee-owned businesses and the platform team in the deployment of SIR’s Next Level Learning platform. 

I started my career in real estate 25 years ago as a solo agent after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps. I had eight years of military service as a Small Unit Leader in a light armored reconnaissance unit. In my two and a half decades in real estate, I sold over 1,000 properties across 26 states and have held nearly every leadership position possible within the residential real estate space, including that of independent owner.  

My first position at Anywhere Real Estate was as a Franchise Sales Representative for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, a role that informed my perspective on both affiliate- and company-owned operations. Following franchise sales, I was named Director of Recruiting and Agent Development for a large CENTURY 21 affiliate, after which I briefly left Anywhere for a competitor to serve as CEO of a large 220-agent office in California. 

Today, I am co-chair of the Anywhere Service ERG where I support Anywhere-employed military veterans and those with family members who have served or are actively serving.  

Why are you excited to join Coldwell Banker? 

I am excited to join Coldwell Banker because it is a well-respected and established company with a strong commitment to its agents and clients. I’m looking forward to utilizing my skills and experience to help develop and implement innovative learning programs that will benefit the entire organization. In addition, I am excited to be part of a company that values diversity and inclusion and actively works to make a positive impact in the communities it serves. 

What’s the best professional advice you ever received?  

It’s often said, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” and one of the best pieces of business advice that I have ever received is to focus on building strong relationships. I’m living proof that strong relationships are essential for building trust, and achieving long-term success in life, and essential for a rewarding career in any business. 

Tell us more about you. 

I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah.  grew up with a passion for Martial Arts, and my first independent contractor job was being the head instructor of a local marital arts studio which is also where I found my passion for teaching. I find it rewarding to help people achieve their goals. I currently live in Orange County, California with my wonderful wife, and my two amazing children. 

Athena Snow

Senior Manager, Public Relations & Giving for Coldwell Banker. Grew up in Sarasota and attended college at Western Carolina University. Athena wanted to wake up in that city that doesn’t sleep so headed to Madison Avenue to start her marketing career. She has been with this awesome brand for more than 15 years and can be found generating buzz about CB in every way possible. Athena helps to grow the brand’s position as the most storied real estate company within the industry and has led many high-profile endeavors; she was at the forefront of the brand’s pioneering smart home campaign, raised $6 million in two years to build 130 Habitat for Humanity homes, and led the Homes for Dogs program in partnership with Adopt-a-Pet.com that resulted in tens-of-thousands of dogs finding their furever home. She currently leads the CB Supports St. Jude program, which encourages the Coldwell Banker network’s 96,000+ real estate agents to make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for every real estate transaction they represent. In her spare time, you can find her either digging up a new area in her yard for another flower bed or planning her next travel adventure. She's the proud mom of three cats Jolene, Ziggy and Lucy.