SEATTLE, August 11, 2015 – Zillow®, the leading real estate information and home related marketplace, today announced leadership changes to its economic research team. Dr. Svenja Gudell has been promoted to Zillow’s Chief Economist. Zillow’s former Chief Economist, Dr. Stan Humphries, has expanded his role to become Zillow Group Chief Analytics Officer and Chief Economist.

Humphries was one of Zillow’s earliest pre-launch employees and is the creator of the Zestimate. In his new role, Humphries oversees the company’s financial planning and analysis, corporate strategy, economic research, data science and engineering, marketing and business analytics, and pricing analytics. In his additional role as Chief Economist of Zillow Group, Humphries will continue to serve as a thought leader and national expert on housing policy.

“I have worked closely with Svenja for the past four years, and I’m thrilled to promote her to this new role,” Humphries said. “Zillow’s economic research team is focused on providing homeowners, buyers and sellers with valuable and actionable insight, based on rigorous data analysis. Svenja is well-suited to continue that work.”

Gudell, who joined Zillow in 2011, was formerly Zillow’s Senior Director of Economic Research. In her new role, Gudell will be the face of Zillow’s housing research as she continues to lead Zillow’s economic research team as it produces monthly reports on housing trends for more than 450 metros nationwide, as well as original research on the country’s most important housing topics.

Gudell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Rochester, a Master of Arts in Economics from New York University, a Master of Science in Business Administration from the University of Rochester, and a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Rochester. Prior to her work at Zillow, Gudell did economic, financial and strategy consulting for Analysis Group and was an Assistant Economist in the Research Group of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

“I’m honored and excited to take on the role of Zillow’s Chief Economist to advance the national conversation about housing and economics,” Gudell said. “Today’s housing market faces some new challenges. Millions of Americans remain upside-down on their mortgages. Some who are shopping for a home can’t find one to buy within their budget. Rents are increasing rapidly, but incomes aren’t keeping up. These and other challenges continue to keep housing top of mind for consumers. Zillow’s mission, first and foremost, is to empower consumers to make informed housing decisions. I’m passionate about pursuing this goal as Chief Economist.”

Humphries is the New York Times best-selling author of “Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate” and a member of Fannie Mae’s Affordable Housing Advisory Council and the Commerce Department’s Data Advisory Council. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College, a Master’s of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, and a Ph.D. in Government from the University of Virginia.

About Zillow

Zillow® is the leading real estate and rental marketplace dedicated to empowering consumers with data, inspiration and knowledge around the place they call home, and connecting them with the best local professionals who can help. In addition, Zillow operates an industry-leading economics and analytics bureau led by Zillow's Chief Economist Dr. Svenja Gudell. Dr. Gudell and her team of economists and data analysts produce extensive housing data and research covering more than 450 markets at Zillow Real Estate Research. Zillow also sponsors the quarterly Zillow Home Price Expectations Survey, which asks more than 100 leading economists, real estate experts and investment and market strategists to predict the path of the Zillow Home Value Index over the next five years. Zillow also sponsors the bi-annual Zillow Housing Confidence Index (ZHCI) which measures consumer confidence in local housing markets, both currently and over time. Launched in 2006, Zillow is owned and operated by Zillow Group (NASDAQ: Z), and headquartered in Seattle.

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