National Association of REALTORS® President Tracy Kasper has resigned after receiving “a threat to disclose a past personal, non-financial matter unless she compromised her position at NAR,” the organization announced Monday.

The threat was reported to law enforcement, and the NAR leadership team “is taking steps to protect the integrity of the organization,” according to a news release.

NAR did not share further details about the nature of the threat. “NAR appreciates Ms. Kasper’s service and her years of dedication to the association, and in particular her commitment to advocating for homeownership for all,” the news release said.

Kasper said her resignation comes with “a mix of gratitude and a heavy heart.”

“As president and a long-time member of NAR, I always have put the interests of NAR first,” Kasper said in the news release. “As a result of the recent threat and given the significance of this moment for myself, my family and the organization, it is again time for me to put the interests of NAR first. 

“So, it is with a mix of gratitude and a heavy heart that I submit my resignation as your president effective immediately. In doing so, it gives our leadership team the ability to take the reins and forge forward in effecting the change that we all have worked so hard over the past few months to begin. I know I leave our members, our staff and our association in good hands.”

NAR President-elect Kevin Sears will move into the role of president, effective immediately. Sears is a REALTOR® from Springfield, Mass., and is broker/partner of Sears Real Estate, specializing in single-family brokerage and property management. He previously served as NAR’s president’s liaison in 2019 and as NAR vice president of government affairs in 2017.

Kasper was promoted from the role president-elect to president in August, after then-President Kenny Parcell resigned in the wake of a New York Times report detailing widespread allegations of sexual harassment at the association.

In November, NAR named Nykia Wright its interim CEO, replacing the retiring Bob Goldberg.