2022 40 Under 40: Elyse Riley

Although Elyse Riley is now a full-time Realtor, for a time she pulled double duty in real estate and as a deputy sheriff for Greene County.

When Riley’s workload through Keller Williams Greater Springfield increased beginning in 2015, she went to volunteer-only status for the sheriff’s office until last year, working extra shifts on nights and weekends.

Riley, 35, has been a part of the Associate Leadership Council at Keller Williams and groups such as the KW Rainbow Network and the LGBTQ Real Estate Alliance, aiming to grow diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Additionally, Riley was on the planning committee and served as safety liaison for the Street Fair at Pickwick Place, benefiting local performers and artists. She’s also on the board of Springfield Black Tie, an event benefiting charities serving the LGBTQ community such as AIDS Project of the Ozarks and The Gay and Lesbian Center of the Ozarks.

What about your job would shock people? Realtors who do this job full time don’t really get days off. Between active clients and future clients, our phones are usually ringing or dinging.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Don’t compare yourself and your accomplishments to others. The benchmark is who you are today, so do better than that person tomorrow.