Stribling Insiders: Elizabeth Ann Stribling-Kivlan
As the President of Stribling & Associates, Elizabeth Ann (or EA as she is often called) is the face of the company. She took on this role in 2012, when her mother and founder of the firm, Elizabeth Stribling, became Chairman. And while it’s not always easy to take a legacy brand that’s already great and make it even better, EA has certainly set the firm on a course for unprecedented success. Under her leadership, Stribling has been consistently ranked among the top 5 residential brokerages in New York City — and with about 25% of the agents as some of the larger agencies. She’s also a huge social justice advocate in the LGBTQ community, and recently redrafted the agent/employee handbooks to be gender neutral so that everyone can feel welcome. We caught up with EA to chat about how she got into the family business, her favorite travel destination, and her signature dance move.
When did you first get into residential real estate and why?
After college. Technically in 2001, as an assistant to a top producer at Pacific Union in San Francisco after deciding culinary school wasn’t for me. I did it to pay the bills and I loved it! But in reality I grew up in the industry with my mother talking about real estate and I was always hanging around the offices.
What is your favorite part about your job?
Interacting with the agents. I love the agents at Stribling and I love helping people solve problems. My favorite part of the day is just coming into the office and running into different people and chatting about real estate — or not — but just having a good chat.
Why did you choose Stribling & Associates?
They were the only ones who gave me a job! But seriously, Stribling seemed like the logical choice for me as it’s my family owned company. I think even if I hadn’t been in the familial situation that I am in, I would have chosen to work here anyway because there is an incredible sense of culture here — the best people — most incredible agents, most incredible staff. My goal as president is to make everyone feel like they’re in an environment where they feel safe and if you feel safe and you feel comfortable, I think you can be the best version of you both personally and professionally.
Do you have a favorite neighborhood and why?
Dumbo because it’s such an evolving neighborhood and I live on the corner of Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights. (Also, Flushing if you’re looking for the best dumplings.)
If you weren’t in real estate, what career would you choose?
Rockstar…. or in banking. Maybe in hedge funds. I am very interested in finance.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Free time? What’s that! Kidding aside, I love to read and cook!
Favorite book?
The Secret History by Donna Tartt (Fiction)
Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky (Non-fiction)
Favorite movie?
Drop dead Gorgeous
Favorite travel destination?
Australia!
Favorite meal?
Sushi
**Lightning Round**
If animals could talk, which would be the rudest?
Ostrich
What’s the most ridiculous fact you know?
The male duckbill platypus is one of the only venomous mammals in the world.
Favorite Animal?
Quokka
Pineapple on pizza?
Yes
What would you name your boat if you had one?
Money Pit
What’s the closest thing to real magic?
True love
Your most useless talent?
Being able to identify animals (like types of snakes)
Signature dance move?
Yes — the inflatable tube person dance (usually seen at car dealerships)
