CMLS CEO wants MLSs to break down silos

For Jessica Edgerton, the multiple listing service MLS) is far more than a conduit for listing information — it’s the foundation of a functioning housing market.Edgerton took over as CEO of the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) in July 2026, succeeding long-time leader Denee Evans. Prior to leading CMLS, she built a prominent career at the intersection of real estate law, compliance and professional development, most recently serving as chief legal officer for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.Now, she’s on a mission to break down silos that have long defined the industry, ensure MLSs have a strong advocacy voice on listing transparency legislation and warn that diluting the MLS ecosystem could ultimately break the American dream of homeownership. She sat down with HousingWire to discuss those initiatives and much more. Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Jonathan Delozier: You took over at CMLS earlier this year at a moment when the industry is questioning a lot of longstanding status quo assumptions. What are some things that you think CMLS needs to change in tandem over the next few years? Jessica Edgerton: One of the big init...