Scaling with precision: Ryan Kearns on leadership, leverage and building a high-performance brokerage

Each year, HousingWire’s Rising Stars award recognizes housing professionals ages 40 and under who are driving measurable results across mortgage, real estate and homebuilding. But the real story often unfolds after the recognition — when honorees leverage the recognition to scale teams, refine processes and deepen their industry influence.

Ryan Kearns, managing member and loan originator at Kearns Mortgage Team and a 2025 Rising Star, exemplifies that momentum. Since being named to the list, he has transitioned from hands-on production to building a scalable brokerage model focused on precision, communication and trust. As nominations for the 2026 Rising Stars award remain open, Kearns shares how his role has evolved, the initiatives fueling his growth and the qualities he believes will define the industry’s next generation of leaders.

HousingWire: Since being named a Rising Star, how has your role or career evolved?

Ryan Kearns: Since being named a Rising Star, I have leaned further into building a scalable brokerage that delivers a high-touch client experience without sacrificing speed or precision. My day to day has shifted from doing every file to leading the team, tightening workflows, and creating consistent standards for communication, education and execution. The goal is the same: help families get to the closing table with clarity and confidence, just at a larger scale.

HousingWire: What project, initiative or achievement are you most excited about right now?  

RK: I am most excited about expanding our lead rescue work with referral partners. We take cold or stalled buyer leads, reengage them and turn them into fully qualified, mortgage-ready clients that get handed back to the referring partner. It is a simple value add that helps partners convert more of what they already paid for while improving the consumer experience.

HousingWire: What skills or experiences have been most critical to your growth in the housing industry?

RK: Two things: disciplined execution and clear communication. Mortgage is complex and speed matters, but trust matters more. Being able to structure solutions for real borrowers, set expectations early and communicate proactively has been the biggest driver of both client outcomes and referral growth.

HousingWire: What advice would you give to professionals early in their careers who aspire to make an impact in mortgage, real estate or homebuilding?  

RK: Pick one lane where you can create real leverage, such as a niche, a process or a partner channel, and become excellent at it before you expand. Focus on fundamentals: responsiveness, accuracy and follow-through. Treat every relationship like a long-term asset. The best careers are built on trust, not transactions.

HousingWire: When you think about the next generation of Rising Stars, what qualities or traits do you think set future leaders apart?

RK: Consistency, ownership and the ability to simplify complexity for other people. Future leaders will win by pairing strong execution with strong communication, and by building systems and teams that raise the standard for the client experience, even in challenging markets.

Click here to nominate a 2026 Rising Star.