Women In Real Estate: Jessica Averbuch

Charles Williams | January 14, 2021

Jessica Averbuch grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and received her Bachelor of Arts from Washington University with a major in anthropology and a minor in psychology. Then she received a Masters degree in anthropology from the University of Texas.

She began her real estate career in 2001 as an Affiliate Broker with Shirley Zeitlin & Company Realtors.  In 2007, she assumed the role of Vice President of Education for the firm.  She became a partner in the company in the same year and begin her involvement in integral processes within the company.  In 2011, she became the Managing Broker of the firm’s largest office.  As Managing Broker, she was responsible for recruiting and retention of agents, education and mentorship, as well as coordinating team-building and philanthropic events.  In 2016, Jessica became the CEO tasked with leading the company into the future in a dynamic industry in a rapidly growing region.  The company’s affiliation with Sotheby’s International Realty in 2018 was a strategic move to align Zeitlin’s locally respected name a well-recognized global brand.   Following this move, a local independent brokerage was acquired allowing the firm to establish an office in Belle Meade and grow their ranks of experienced agents.  

Throughout her 20 year tenure, Jessica has continued to sell real estate and serve as an advocate for her loyal client base.  She is passionate about building upon her skills and knowledge to guide her clients and agents.   She loves being in a business where her clients and colleagues are a part of her extended family.    She is also committed to playing an active role in the Realtor professional organization on the local, state and national level.   She has been on the Board of Directors for the Greater Nashville Realtors professional association, on committees with the Tennessee Association of Realtors and received the Award of Excellence numerous times.  Jessica has also represented her profession as the recipient of the Nashville Emerging Leaders Award in 2010 in the real estate division and has served as a Judge in the subsequent years.  She is proud to be consistently ranked in the Nashville Business Journal Book of Lists as one of the top  female owned businesses, family owned businesses and residential real estate firms.  

One of Jessica’s passions is playing an active role in her community.  She leads the Zeitlin Charitable Fund initiatives that raises money for several local non-profits including Second Harvest, Our Kids, Bridges of Williamson County and Shower Up.  She is also involved in the following civic organizations: Nashville Downtown Rotary, Nashville Downtown Partnership, Nashville Chamber of Commerce and Williamson Inc.  Several other non-profits she supports include Book’em, Gilda’s Club of Middle Tennessee, Renewal House and Jewish Federation of Nashville.  She is currently serving as a board of director for The Downtown Partnership, Nashville Downtown Rotary and Gilda’s Club of Middle Tennessee.  Jessica was recognized in 2020 as Habitat for Humanity Groundbreaker.  As a graduate of Leadership Nashville, Jessica uses the experience and knowledge she gained through the program to further her commitment to community service and engagement.  

Jessica and her husband live in the Hillsboro West End neighborhood with their children who attend University School of Nashville and Hume Fogg. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, being outside on Nashville’s greenways and participating in running races of all distances.

 What would you like to say about your career in Real Estate?

I had no idea that I would end up in real estate and I consider it one of my life’s greatest blessings that I found my way into this career which I love.

Anything else you want to talk about that has brought you success or to the place you are today.

I think that finding something that challenges you is the best pathway to success.  Along each step of the way of my career, I stepped into unchartered territory without looking back and it has allowed me to grow and stay excited about what I do every day.