Born and raised in the picturesque waterfront community of Douglaston, Phyllis Gallaway developed an early appreciation for craftsmanship, beauty, and the character of exceptional homes. After graduate school, she moved to Manhattan, where her creative instincts, love of design, and natural eye for detail evolved into a distinguished real estate career that now spans more than four decades.
A Senior Global Real Estate Advisor and Associate Broker with Sotheby’s International Realty since 1983, Phyllis has closed over $2 billion in career sales and is widely regarded as one of New York’s most trusted luxury real estate professionals. Her expertise spans high‑end condominiums, new development, townhouses, and cooperative residences across Manhattan’s East and West Sides, as well as premier properties throughout New York and The Hamptons.
Renowned for her strategic insight, impeccable negotiation skills, and global perspective, Phyllis advises clients with the sophistication, discretion, and white‑glove service that define the Sotheby’s brand. She is also a recognized authority on pet‑friendly buildings, a specialty shaped by her decades of living and working in Manhattan and her deep understanding of the city’s most coveted addresses.
Phyllis’s creative background is a defining strength. She has studied jewelry making with precious metals and is actively involved with the Isabel O’Neil Studio Workshop, where she paints exquisite faux finishes on objets d’art. This artistic discipline sharpens her eye for detail, enriches her design sensibility, and elevates the bespoke service she brings to every client. She also loves the strategy and joy of playing tennis, a passion that mirrors her competitive drive and focus.
Today, Phyllis is a core pillar of SamplePowers — the powerhouse partnership of Elizabeth Sample, Brenda Powers, and Phyllis Gallaway — an unbeatable, supersonic team delivering unmatched market intelligence, record‑setting results, and a seamless luxury experience across the world’s most competitive real estate markets.
Beyond her professional achievements, Phyllis is deeply committed to giving back. For 19 years, she has volunteered at Sky High Hope Camp in Colorado, a ten‑day summer program for children with cancer and their siblings, sponsored by the Ronald McDonald Foundation. Her work there remains one of her greatest joys and reflects her warmth, compassion, and belief in meaningful service.
