Tether RE Co-Founder named “crusader” in RISMedia’s 2026 Real Estate Newsmaker Awards
Tether RE joins exclusive group of industry leaders who have made headline-making contributions to the real estate industry
Feb 3, 2026
We are pleased to announce that Vanessa Martin, Tether RE Co-Founder, has been selected as one of RISMedia’s 2026 Real Estate Newsmakers. RISMedia, the leader in U.S. real estate news and information services, officially announced the 2026 class on February 3 via an online directory.
Vanessa joins an elite group of industry influencers distinguished by their impactful contributions to the real estate sector and their commitment to improving the safety and well-being of the communities they serve.
For her tireless advocacy in agent safety, Vanessa has been recognized in the Crusaders category—reserved for "The Champions of a Better Way." This is a mission she leads hand-in-hand with her husband and Tether RE Co-Founder, Scott Martin, and this recognition is a testament to their shared vision of establishing protection as a non-negotiable professional standard.
Vanessa is transforming the real estate industry by turning agent safety from an afterthought into a professional standard. Martin significantly scaled Tether RE’s reach in 2025, securing major partnerships with organizations like Bright MLS, Engel & Völkers Americas, and Lone Wolf Technologies. These agreements, alongside Tether RE’s acceptance into the prestigious 2025 NAR REACH program, have brought layered safety tools—including 24/7 live monitoring and struggle detection—to hundreds of thousands of agents nationwide.
A U.S. Army Combat Veteran and former medic, Vanessa’s dedication to protection is deeply personal. Her mission is driven by a first-hand understanding of high-stakes environments and a desire to ensure real estate professionals—including her own family members—return home safely every day. Beyond the technology itself, Vanessa has spearheaded a national movement through the Tether SAFE Community, collaborating with industry leaders to embed safety protocols into daily workflows. From the stage at NAR NXT to her work on the Annual Safety Committee, Vanessa remains a tireless advocate for the workforce.
“What inspires me most is hearing from agents who share how Tether RE makes them feel safer and more confident in their work,” Vanessa says. “Knowing that our app is being used in real-world situations such as showings, open houses and client meetings—and that it has the potential to save lives—is the most meaningful accomplishment of all.”
RISMedia’s 2026 Real Estate Newsmakers were selected in 2025 by the firm's executive and editorial teams and are showcased in the following categories: Influencers, Trailblazers, Futurists, Achievers, Crusaders, Luminaries and the annual Hall of Fame inductees. Honorees will also be featured in the Q1 issue of RISMedia's flagship publication, Real Estate magazine.
“Through ongoing challenges in 2025, from economic uncertainty to changing rules and regulations, our Newsmakers served as shining examples of what it takes to succeed, come what may,” said RISMedia Founder and CEO John Featherston. “Our 2026 Real Estate Newsmakers demonstrated the dedication, ingenuity and integrity it takes to serve their companies, clients and communities at the highest level. They stand out as true professionals we all can look up to, and I extend my sincere congratulations to each and every one of them.”
Vanessa will be officially honored for her contributions alongside the other 2026 Real Estate Newsmakers at RISMedia's Annual Awards Gala. The event takes place during the 38th Annual CEO & Leadership Exchange, held September 30 to October 2, 2026, at the Fairmont Georgetown in Washington, D.C.
About RISMedia
For more than 45 years, RISMedia has provided the residential real estate industry with news, trends and business development strategies through its flagship publication, Real Estate magazine; its leading website, RISMedia.com; its premium content channel, Premier; and its iconic networking and educational events, including RISMedia’s virtual Real Estate’s Rocking in the New Year; RISMedia's CEO Exchange; and RISMedia's Annual Awards Gala. Visit RISMedia.com for more information.
About RISMedia's Real Estate Newsmakers
RISMedia's Real Estate Newsmakers is designed to recognize those individuals making headlines as a result of their newsworthy contributions to the residential real estate industry, and their efforts to positively affect real estate professionals and the consumers and communities they serve. RISMedia’s Real Estate Newsmakers were chosen based on nominations received through an online nomination process on RISMedia.com, and by nominations from RISMedia’s in-house editorial team and other industry sources. Nominations for RISMedia’s Real Estate Newsmakers are collected on an ongoing basis throughout the course of the year. There is no fee to nominate a Newsmaker or be recognized/featured as a Newsmaker. Due to deadline and production criteria, RISMedia’s 2026 Real Estate Newsmakers Online Directory may not currently be in its final format. Please check back for ongoing updates.
About TETHER RE
Tether RE is an all-in-one safety and productivity platform built exclusively for real estate professionals. The platform combines continuous live safety monitoring with field-ready tools, including proximity timers, SOS alerts, navigation, mileage and expense tracking, and showing management. For more information, visit TetherRE.com.
