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Emily Meersand Russum
Owner / Real Estate Investor, Real Estate Agent, Yoga Teacher and Retreat Leader
Professional Background
Emily Meersand Russum is a seasoned professional in the real estate sector, boasting over a decade of extensive experience that spans sales, growth, training, and support functions within high-growth startups. Currently serving in a hybrid role at Hawaii Life, she specializes in single-family homes, investment opportunities, and property management. Emily's personal journey into real estate ownership is a testament to her belief that real estate can be a conduit for improving one's life. This passion fuels her dedication to helping clients purchase their dream homes, invest in cash-flowing rental properties, and manage their rental portfolios effectively.
Emily's solid foundation in the tech landscape is outlined by her impressive tenure at Yelp, where she played a pivotal role in the company's growth from pre-IPO status to an impressive workforce of over 5,000 employees by the time she departed in 2017. During her time at Yelp, she not only contributed to but also managed the training and development of over 2,000 employees, honing her skills in leadership and mentorship.
Taking her growth mindset further, Emily joined Hipcamp in 2017. In her role as Head of Supply Growth, she significantly impacted the company's trajectory, achieving a remarkable 5.6x year-over-year growth in her first year. Her expertise in growth strategy led her to Sonder in 2019, where she integrated her acumen in real estate with marketing and operational strategies to enhance the company's real estate team’s performance.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Emily is also a beloved real estate investor and a co-founder of Russum Investments. Her company focuses on partnering with everyday investors eager to earn passive income through real estate, particularly emphasizing long-distance single-family investing. Emily expertly employs a blend of her own capital investment and deal syndication strategies to optimize cash flow for her business partners.
In addition to her roles in real estate, Emily is a committed angel investor and advisor to early-stage startups. She thrives on the opportunity to work closely with founders, aiding them in team-building, system development, and the establishment of financial and growth strategies that enhance their overall business efficacy.
Education and Achievements
Emily's educational journey is as diverse as her career. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business-Economics from UC Santa Barbara, where she also served as a Business-Economics Teaching Assistant. Her academic pursuits advanced further as she engaged in International Business studies at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, broadening her global business perspective.
In her commitment to personal development and holistic wellness, Emily completed a rigorous 200 Hour Registered Yoga Training in Vinyasa Yoga at Yoga Alliance. Her training has equipped her to lead group yoga classes and organize surf and yoga retreats worldwide, blending her passion for real estate with a fulfilling personal life.
Notable Accomplishments
Emily Meersand Russum's career is marked by several notable achievements:
- Growth at Yelp: Played a crucial role in scaling Yelp's workforce to over 5,000 employees and managing the training of 2,000+ staff members.
- Success at Hipcamp: Instrumental in achieving impressive growth metrics, including a 5.6x year-over-year increase in her first year in charge of Supply Growth.
- Leadership at Sonder: Merged her skillset in leading Growth, Marketing, Support, and Operations within the Real Estate team, enhancing their performance significantly.
- Real Estate Investment: Co-founded Russum Investments, focusing on creating passive income opportunities through strategic real estate partnerships.
- Mentorship and Advisory Roles: Active advisor and angel investor, empowering early-stage startups to realize their potential and thrive in competitive markets.
Outside of business, Emily's commitment to health and well-being shines through her yoga practice. As a yoga teacher, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining a fulfilling life outside of career commitments, fostering success and balance in both personal and professional realms.
