About
Donna Gilmore
Director of Operations · COAST brokered by eXp Realty
Most real estate businesses don't need more effort — they need better systems. Donna Gilmore is the Director of Operations for COAST, the #1 eXp Realty team in South Carolina, where she builds AI-driven infrastructure that allows luxury real estate businesses, agents, and teams to grow without relying on constant hustle.
$1B+
Sales Volume
#1
eXp Team in SC
The Story
Real Estate, AI Operations
& Business Growth
Donna operates at the intersection of luxury real estate, AI-powered operations, and scalable team growth. Her philosophy is simple and deliberate: build the infrastructure first, then allow the business to grow into it — calmly, compliantly, and with intention.
In luxury real estate, Donna specializes in Hilton Head Island's most prestigious communities, including Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, Berkeley Hall, and Palmetto Bluff. She brings a measured, strategic approach to high-end coastal transactions, combining deep market knowledge with thoughtful marketing and steady negotiation. The result is a client experience that feels clear, informed, and quietly confident from first conversation through closing.
As the creator of the Systems to Scale™ methodology, Donna focuses on removing friction from real estate operations. She designs AI-powered workflows that connect lead generation, CRM intelligence, marketing automation, agent onboarding, compliance, contracts, and closing into one cohesive system. Using tools such as Power Automate, intelligent CRM architecture, and predictive analytics, she has helped transform COAST from a high-performing team into a business that scales predictably and sustainably.
In leadership, Donna is responsible for the operational backbone that supports one of South Carolina's top-performing real estate organizations. Through her partnership with Jay Kinder and Honeybadger Nation, agents gain access to proven systems, marketing leverage, coaching, and long-term growth models — creating a clear, supported path from solo agent to confident team leader.
Director of Operations, COAST brokered by eXp Realty
Case Study
From Manual Checklist to
15 Agents Per Week
Before
Manual
Paper checklists
Solution
Power Automate
AI-powered workflows
Result
15+/week
Agents onboarded
When COAST began scaling rapidly, the agent onboarding process — which included both COAST-specific and eXp Realty steps — was managed through manual checklists. As the team grew from a handful of agents to onboarding 15+ new agents per week, this manual approach created bottlenecks, inconsistencies, and frustration.
Donna designed and implemented a fully automated onboarding workflow using Power Automate. When a new agent is entered into the tracking spreadsheet, the system automatically triggers welcome emails, assigns tasks to admin staff, creates tracking entries, and generates a real-time dashboard for monitoring progress. The result: consistent, professional onboarding that scales without adding headcount.
This case study exemplifies the System to Scale methodology — identifying manual bottlenecks, designing automated solutions, and creating scalable systems that free people to focus on relationships and results.
Expertise
What Sets Donna Apart
Market Intelligence
Deep understanding of Hilton Head Island's micro-markets, pricing trends, seasonal patterns, and investment opportunities across every community.
White-Glove Service
Every client receives personalized attention, regular communication, and the kind of meticulous care that luxury real estate demands.
Technology Integration
Leveraging AI, automation, and data analytics to streamline transactions, enhance marketing, and deliver faster, better results.
Business Scaling
Proven frameworks for scaling real estate businesses from solo agent to team leader, including automated onboarding, marketing systems, and revenue share models.
Podcast Host
Three Shows, One Mission
Donna hosts three podcasts covering the full real estate journey — from passing the exam to building a scalable business.
Get Started
Ready to Work Together?
Whether you are buying, selling, or building a real estate business, Donna is here to help.