The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has announced the appointment of Matthew Cenedella as its new chief financial officer (CFO), effective March 19. Cenedella will succeed longtime CFO John Pierpoint, who is set to retire at the end of the month.
Cenedella brings extensive experience in financial strategy and operational leadership, having held senior roles in multiple organizations, including major audit firms, corporations, and global associations.
Most recently, he served as chief operating officer and treasurer for the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), the governing body of professional women's tennis. Under his leadership, the WTA's revenues increased from $40 million to more than $125 million, driven by the strategic growth of media, events, and owned assets. He also oversaw the expansion of the association's data division to more than $32 million and helped establish WTA Ventures, valued at $750 million as the first commercial entity dedicated to women’s tennis.
“Matthew's versatility and his extensive background in finance, strategic planning, and operational leadership roles will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our financial strategies, propel NAR toward a higher-performing workplace, and deliver greater value to our members," said NAR CEO Nykia Wright.
Before his tenure as COO at the WTA, Cenedella served as the organization’s chief administrative officer, overseeing finance, treasury, human resources, compliance, information technology, and onsite operations. He previously held finance roles at IMG Worldwide, American Greetings, Nestlé Waters, Reader’s Digest Association, and Deloitte & Touche.
Cenedella holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Business Administration from New York University. He is a certified public accountant (CPA) and a certified internal auditor (CIA). Additionally, he serves as treasurer for the U.S. Center for SafeSport, an organization dedicated to athlete safety in Olympic and Paralympic sports.
"I am honored to join NAR at such a pivotal time for the real estate industry," said Cenedella. "Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work across diverse financial landscapes, from corporate enterprises to nonprofit associations, and I look forward to leveraging that experience to ensure the organization's financial strength and to position it for strategic growth where it best suits our mission to support NAR's members."
