Joan Docktor

Joan Docktor took away a lot from her time as a special-education teacher for emotionally disturbed boys. “It was quite a handful, but I certainly learned to treat each person differently,” she says. 

And it’s helped Docktor thrive in her new career, even if she never really saw herself in sales. “I’m really good at helping people figure out what they want, and listening really well and negotiating,” she says. “I just kept taking on more responsibility—and I’ve loved every minute of it.” 

Now, as president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors, she oversees 64 offices and 4,600 agents. “My overall responsibility is to attract the best agents to our business and give them the service and tools they need to succeed,” she says. “That’s how I see my purpose.” 

Photo by Tessa Marie Images