From Growth To Execution: Daniel Butbul On Scaling Technology And Leadership

The HousingWire Rising Stars award recognizes emerging leaders 40 and under who are driving measurable progress across mortgage, real estate and homebuilding. These professionals aren’t just advancing their own careers — they’re influencing how teams operate, how technology is deployed and how the housing ecosystem evolves.

With nominations for the 2026 HousingWire Rising Stars Award open through Feb. 28, we’re revisiting conversations with recent honorees to illustrate the real-world impact of this recognition.

In the Q&A below, Daniel Butbul, vice president of technology at Systato, shares how his role has expanded, the initiatives that are energizing his team and the leadership traits he believes will define the industry’s next generation.

HousingWire: Since being named a Rising Star, how has your role or career evolved?

Daniel Butbul: Since being named a Rising Star, my role as vice president at Systato has continued to expand alongside the company’s growth. Over the past year, we’ve nearly doubled our company roster and tripled the size of our technology and software development organization. My focus, alongside growing a world-class group of technical real estate specialists, has increasingly centered on building scalable platforms, leading cross-functional teams, and helping organizations translate automation and data into real operational and financial outcomes.

HousingWire: What project, initiative or achievement are you most excited about right now?

DB: I’m most excited about the work we’re doing to help brokerages and mortgage companies strengthen joint venture and MSA performance. By unifying data from both sides into a shared data layer, we’re giving leaders a clearer understanding of where engagements truly stand at the agent, office, manager and lender level. That visibility allows teams to intervene earlier, improve adoption, and ultimately create more profitable and sustainable mortgage-brokerage partnerships.

HousingWire: What skills or experiences have been most critical to your growth in the housing industry?

DB: Hands-on experience has been foundational to my growth. My philosophy has always been to learn before you delegate. Raising your hand for new challenges, learning how a task actually works, even if you’re not perfect at it, then delegating it effectively has helped me connect dots across operations, technology and leadership. In the age of LLMs, it’s easier than ever to quickly pick up new skills with a chatbot acting as a tutor and research partner, which makes resourcefulness an even more valuable trait.

HousingWire: What advice would you give to professionals early in their careers who aspire to make an impact in mortgage, real estate or homebuilding?

DB: Stay curious and don’t shy away from complexity. The biggest opportunities come from understanding how the business really operates, not just your individual role. Learn the fundamentals, take ownership and focus on solving real problems. Impact follows those who are willing to do the work and continuously improve how it gets done.

HousingWire: When you think about the next generation of Rising Stars, what qualities or traits do you think set future leaders apart?

DB: The next generation of leaders will stand out through adaptability, systems thinking and strong judgment. Comfort with data and emerging tools like AI will matter, but it won’t replace the need for critical thinking, empathy and operational understanding. Those who can balance innovation with execution, and lead people through change rather than just talking about it, will define the future of the industry.

Click here to submit a 2026 Rising Star.