A powerful story of how Ruth Demetriou rose from humble beginnings to become a trusted protector of homeowners, blending leadership, integrity, and community advocacy in every transaction.
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Influential Woman · Real Estate
Ruth Demetriou
Licensed Real Estate Broker / SFR, PMN, Notary Public / Owner, Best Team Realty
Jamaica, NY 11432
1Article published
1Award received
In Conversation
Ruth Demetriou for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Ruth Demetriou: To me, an influential woman is not defined by titles or recognition. She is defined by the impact she makes on others. An influential woman leads with integrity, serves with compassion, and rises with resilience. She inspires through her actions, her character, and her willingness to uplift others. Growing up, I was surrounded by a strong woman whose lives shaped my own. My sister, Congresswoman Dr. Fabiola Salazar Leguia, showed me that leadership is a responsibility, a commitment to unity, service, and honesty. From her example, I learned that influence is not about power. It is about purpose. Today, being an influential woman means carrying my family's legacy with honor, empowering my community through education, helping families build stability through homeownership, and turning every challenge into an opportunity for growth. Influence to me. is measured by how many lives you touch, how many people you live, and how much hope you inspire. If my journey encourages even one person to believe in themselves, then I am fulfilling the mission I was raised for.
What's one piece of advice would you give to younger women chasing their dreams?
Ruth Demetriou: If I could give one piece of advice to younger women chasing their dreams, it would be this Don't be discouraged when life doesn't follow the plans you imagine. Sometimes the path will shift, doors will close, or challenges will rise that you never expected, but those moments do not define you, they shape you. When I arrived in New York, my academic plans did not unfold the way I hoped. I had to start the game, choose a new direction, and rebuild my future with determination. And that detour became the foundation of the life and career I have today. So to every young woman working toward her goals, be resilient. Your strength will grow from every setback. Be flexible. Sometimes a different road leads to an even greater purpose. Keep learning, education, both formal and true life experience, is your strongest tool. Live with integrity. Your values will open doors that tyrants never could. Believe in your word, even when the world tells you otherwise. Chase your dreams with courage, but also with patience. Trust the detours, honor your journey, and never stop moving forward, because the life you are meant to live may be bigger than anything you ever planned.
Full transcript available
Her Story
About Ruth
Ruth Demetriou is a recognized authority in New York real estate — a proven top producer, respected industry leader, and trusted advocate for buyers and sellers alike. With more than 30 years of experience, she has set the standard for professionalism, integrity, and client care across the New York City market.
As the owner of Best Team Realty and 2019 President of the South Queens Chapter of the Long Island Board of Realtors (LIBOR), Ruth is known not only for her sales achievements, but also for her leadership and commitment to elevating industry standards.
Fluent in Spanish and Greek, she has helped over 1,000 families and investors achieve homeownership and build wealth, specializing in short sales, multi-family, mixed-use properties, estates, Residential and commercial real estate. Her clients — many of whom return and refer — value her strategic guidance, fierce representation, and deep sense of responsibility to protect their interests at every step.
A Certified Public Accountant from Lima-Peru with a background in Computer Information Systems from Baruch College, Ruth brings a rare blend of financial expertise, analytical discipline, and negotiation strength to every transaction. She is certified in Short Sales & Foreclosures (SFR), Performance Management (PMN), and is a licensed Notary Public.
Her real estate journey began with General Development Corp, followed by Century 21 Metalios and RE/MAX Metro III Queens, where she quickly emerged as a top-performing agent. She continues to refine her craft through ongoing education with Century 21, RE/MAX International, the Women’s Council of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors and The Howard Britton conferences— always staying ahead of the industry to better serve her clients.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ruth
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong values instilled in me, my genuine love for helping others, and my passion for what I do. My ability to connect with clients in three languages has also been a key part of building trust and lasting relationships.
Much of my drive comes from my father, my mentor and greatest inspiration. He taught me to pursue excellence and to approach every goal with integrity. I also carry the example of my late sister, Dr. Fabiola Salazar Leguía, former Congresswoman of the Amazonas region in Peru. Her compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication to serving others continue to inspire me every day.
Their influence reminds me that true success comes from working with purpose, earning trust, and making a positive difference in people’s lives..
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Loyalty, integrity and hard work.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the real estate industry is to be independent, creative, and committed to acquiring deep knowledge through continuous education in their field. Stay current with technology and the latest industry updates—artificial intelligence and digital tools made our work more efficient. Most importantly, always perform your duties with integrity and compassion. Success in real estate comes not only from knowledge but also from genuine care for your clients and the community you serve.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Technology has completely transformed the way we used to do business. Nowadays, it has made our professional lives much easier and more efficient. As a result, it’s essential to stay current with updates and continuing education to avoid being left behind. Embracing artificial intelligence is no longer optional—it’s a necessity for success in today’s world.
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05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and Ethics are the values I hold most important in both my work and personal life. Because my fiduciary duty is to my clients, I believe in doing what's right even when no one is watching. Upholding honesty, transparency, and accountability ensures trust, which is the foundation of every successful professional and personal relationship.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Ruth
Redefining Real Estate with Heart and Authority
A Story of Leadership, Service, and Community Advocacy
El Poder del Servicio: Cómo Ruth Demetriou Construyó un Legado Inmobiliario con Integridad, Defensa y Liderazgo Comunitario
For many, success is about personal achievement. For Ruth Demetriou, success is measured by how many lives you uplift along the way.
Born in the Amazonas region of Peru, Ruth was raised by parents who led through service, hard work, and generosity. Her father, with only a high school education, built schools, developed farms, and even helped establish an airport — not as a politician, but as a man with purpose. He taught Ruth that true leadership is not given by title; it’s earned through service to others.
Years later, Ruth immigrated to the United States, where she built a professional foundation as a CPA and Controller in New York City. By what she describes as a “beautiful accident,” she entered the world of real estate — and found her true calling.
Standing Up for Communities Others Exploited
Ruth began selling homes in South Jamaica, working closely with Black families who were at risk of losing generational wealth. At the time, many investors were pressuring elderly or uninformed homeowners to sell their properties far below market value, exploiting their lack of guidance.
Ruth refused to stand by. She educated homeowners about the true value of their properties, fought to protect them from predatory offers, and helped them sell at full market price. In doing so, she not only safeguarded their assets — she preserved their legacy.
A Voice for Her Own Community
As a proud Peruvian immigrant, Ruth also dedicated herself to serving her roots. From 2016 to 2018, she served as Vice President of the Peruvian American Chamber of Commerce of Long Island (PACCLI), where she helped raise $15,000 for Peruvian families affected by the devastating Huaicos mudslides and flash floods in Piura.
Her mission was — and continues to be — clear: protect the vulnerable, uplift the underserved, and lead with courage and heart.
A Legacy Built Not on Sales — But on Service
From knocking on doors in immigrant neighborhoods to speaking three languages to connect across cultures, Ruth built her business not through advertising, but through trust. Families didn’t just hire her — they believed in her. They referred her. They helped make her brand unstoppable.
In Queens, Ruth encountered immigrant families from Latin America, Guyana, and the Caribbean — hardworking people, full of dreams, yet lacking guidance. Many did not speak English fluently or understand the complex process of buying a home. They had the desire — but no one to show them the way. Ruth stepped forward.
Today, as the Owner of Best Team Realty and Past President of the South Queens Chapter of LIBOR, Ruth is recognized not just as a top broker, but as a protector, an educator, and a voice for those who needed one.
Her story is a testament to one powerful truth: When you use your success to protect others, your name becomes more than a brand — it becomes a legacy.
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