6 important things everyone should know about Robert Reffkin, who left a successful career at Goldman Sachs to take a chance on real estate – and is now poised to become America’s youngest Black billionaire

6 important things everyone should know about Robert Reffkin, who left a successful career at Goldman Sachs to take a chance on real estate – and is now poised to become America’s youngest Black billionaire

Robert Reffkin may soon be the youngest Black billionaire in the US after taking his real-estate startup Compass public on Thursday. 

The 41-year-old cofounder and CEO has risen to prominence quickly. From growing up in Berkeley, CA with a single mom, to becoming a White House fellow and rising through the ranks at Goldman Sachs before launching Compass, here are some things to know about the up-and-coming executive.

The women in his life have inspired him

Reffkin grew up in Berkeley, CA, as an only child with a single mom, who is now a real estate agent for Compass. In a LinkedIn post Thursday after his company went public on the New York Stock Exchange, Reffkin said, "I started Compass because of my mom, Ruth, a single mom who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit."

Today, Reffkin lives in New York City with his wife, Benis Reffkin, who is a business and life coach. He dubbed her the "most important person" in his life and an inspiration, in a LinkedIn post from Mother's Day 2019 that documented how she lived the American Dream. The couple have three kids together. 

He's been a founder before

Reffkin started his first business when he was just 15 years old, according to