Chicago's Top Women in Real Estate

Meet the best of the best in Chicago's competitive residential real estate market

HALL OF FAME FEATURING THE ESTABLISHED ACHIEVERS. THE HEAVY-HITTERS. THE GROUNDBREAKERS.

Jennifer Ames Agent, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; President, Jennifer Ames Chicago (left)
“It was a case of ‘mother knows best,’” says Jennifer Ames of her job choice. Looking for a fresh career move, she was confronted with pressure from a 30-year real estate veteran – her mother. Entering a field with familial ties seems to have influenced Jennifer’s professional priorities. “People are impressed by big trophy sales,” she says, “but the truth is, helping families find the right homes or move on with their lives is meaningful to me.” Family history alone doesn’t earn a top 100 spot twice in the Wall Street Journal for sales volume, however. “I set my expectations very high from my first day in the business,” Ms. Ames says. “I’ve worked this hard for 17 years; there is no coasting.” Average annual sales volume $50 million Years in profession 17

Elizabeth Ballis Broker Associate, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (right)
Since merging her independent brokerage firm, Dayton Realty, Ltd., with Prudential Preferred Property (which became Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in 1998) in 1992, Elizabeth Ballis has been one of their top five city agents for many years. She understands buying or selling a house is an emotional process and needs to be treated as one. “I want my clients to know I care about them and their well-being,” she says. “I want them to know I won’t just sell them anything.” Average annual sales volume $30-40 million Years in profession 30
 

Mary Bennett Sales Associate, Koenig & Strey Real Living (left)
Mary Bennett is not a stranger to real estate – she grew up with it all around her. “One of the reasons I’m in real estate is my mother worked on the business end of it,” she says. “She was a good role model. She was always extremely professional and dedicated to what she was doing.” Ms. Bennett worked at a small brokerage firm before joining Koenig & Strey in 1991. When asked what she’s most proud of in her career, she leaves the figures out of it. “I could go the traditional route and say my biggest accomplishment is ‘I sold this’ or ‘I sold that,’ but, honestly, it’s that I’ve been fortunate enough to work with so many great people.” Average annual sales volume $40 million+ Years in profession 35

Marie Campbell Broker Koenig & Strey Real Living (right)
Once upon a time at 800 North Michigan Avenue, Marie Campbell sold a whole floor of a building before it existed. It takes quite a woman to sell air. Ms. Campbell’s talent is met with equal parts modesty, and she’s eager to giver credit to her mentors. “Charles Clarke, formerly at Sudler, really started me on the road to success,” she says. “I try to emulate him. He found a charming way to be firm.” She also cites Nancy Nagy, senior VP at Koenig & Strey Real Living, among those from whom she forms her winning attitude. “You can’t fake that kind of enthusiasm. She’s my upper.” Regardless of role models, Ms. Campbell’s own talent keeps her among the top in Chicago real estate. Average annual sales volume $20 million Years in profession 21


Katherine Chez Malkin Broker Associate, Coldwell Banker (left)
Although she finds herself among the top 1 percent of the nation’s realtors, Katherine Chez Malkin downplays her success. “It really comes down to ‘customer service with a smile,’” she says. She’s been at Coldwell Banker for over 10 years and is the sales director of the Residences at 900. However, Ms. Chez Malkin says there’s more to being successful than a well-known name. “It’s not so much the company that matters, but how well you conduct yourself and how much integrity you have.” Average annual sales volume $50 million+ Years in profession 30

Eudice Fogel Vice President and Agent, Prudential Rubloff (right)
A real estate agent boasting a average annual sales averaging over $30 million since 2000 is rare; an agent like Eudice Fogel, who achieves those numbers single-handedly, is even rarer. “In 30 years, I’ve never had a team. Nobody else talks to my clients,” Ms. Fogel says. “I’ve stayed at the top of my business while competing with people in teams.” And in her three-decade career, she has yet to lose her giddy enthusiasm. Every year feels like her first, in which her sales placed her in her company’s top 1 percent, as well as in the Chicago Association of Realtors. “Every time I do a deal, I feel like it’s never happened to me before,” Ms. Fogel says. “I’ve brought happiness to the buyer and seller.” Average annual sales volume $30 million Years in profession 30


Colleen Harper Broker, @properties (left)
Colleen Harper opened the first residential brokerage firm south of Roosevelt Road in the South Loop after four years in the real estate industry, and has run her own company for 10 years. And she owns an art gallery, too. Despite a chaotic juggling of professional commitments, Ms. Harper is sincerely dedicated to making strong, personal connections in real estate, and found success in putting the client first. “I give each person undivided attention, whether it’s a $200,000 property or a $2 million property,” she says. “My personal sales were always secondary. I am sure there are many agents who can boast larger yearly volumes, but I feel great because I made a difference in other people’s lives.” Average annual sales volume $17 million Years in profession 15

Natasha Motev Realtor, Koenig & Strey Real Living (right)
Since she joined the business in 1995, Natasha Motev has sold over $600 million in real estate sales, including $90 million in just 2010. Despite her success, she still cites her greatest achievement as assisting her clients. “I love helping my buyers achieve their goals in finding homes of their dreams,” she says. Ms. Motev represents luxury real estate markets in various communities throughout Chicago. She says looking at homes has always been a passion of hers, even as a child. “When I first started selling, I probably worked 12 to 14 hour days non-stop. It’s a lot of work, but it pays off,” she says. “It’s an amazing job. It’s nice to love it. If you love what you do, it really helps you out a lot.” Average annual sales volume $50+ million Years in profession 15





Joanne Nemerovski Vice President & Broker Associate, Prudential Rubloff (left)
After working for years as an attorney, Joanne Nemerovski found her niche in real estate. “I think my greatest achievement is making lifelong friends with a lot of my clients, and the repeat business,” she says. “It’s very rewarding when you find something for someone that’s the perfect fit.” Early in her career, she was the youngest recipient of the Founder’s Award; upon joining the Lincoln Park office of Prudential Rubloff in 2008, she was appointed vice president. She was also named Megabroker of the Midwest by Unique Homes. “Your integrity is everything,” Ms. Nemerovski says. “It’s really not one sale to the next. It’s about your relationships and making sure people feel taken care of.” Average annual sales volume $44 million Years in profession 22

Janet Owen Sales Associate, Sudler Sotheby’s International Realty (right)
Janet Owen, top producer at Sudler Sotheby’s International for 19 consecutive years, contributes her success to caring more about clients than commissions. When mentoring new agents, she tells them to do the same. “It’s absolutely how I feel,” Ms. Owen says. “Put your clients’ needs before your own. It’s proven true time after time.” Ms. Owen has been at Sudler since 1985, and has sold $500 million in residential single-family homes, condominiums, multi-unit dwellings and cooperatives. “Absolute communication is critical all the time, but especially in this particular market,” she says. “I call my clients even when there’s nothing to report. I just want them to hear from me.” Average annual sales volume $30 million Years in profession 25


Millie Rosenbloom Broker Associate, Baird & Warner (left)
Despite being ranked 27th in sales in the Wall Street Journal and a sales volume in the top 1% of the 12,000 members of the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR), Millie Rosenbloom doesn’t cite numbers as her greatest accomplishment. “I was voted MVP in Chicago Agent magazine,” she says. “It wasn’t sales; it was voted in by peers, and that’s a big honor.” Ms. Rosenbloom attributes her success to being tenacious, hardworking and negotiating and listening well – traits that helped her become the third woman president at CAR in 2001. “I’ve done so much when I think about it,” Millie says. “And I still love it. That’s important.” Average annual sales volume $74 million Years in profession 28

Emily Sachs Wong Broker Associate, Koenig & Strey Real Living (right)
Emily Sachs Wong may feel like she’s been in the biz forever, but really, she’s just a natural. After years in the restaurant industry, a call from her Realtor sister prompted a career change. “My sister used to ask me out to lunch all the time. That wasn’t even a possibility,” Ms. Sachs Wong says. “One day, I decided to get into real estate, so I could have more freedom.” She was a President’s Club member in two years. Ms. Sachs Wong contributes her success to hard work and 24/7 availability. “It’s nice to get to know someone and get to go through a process with them.” Average annual sales volume $66 million Years in profession 12


Mildred Shemluck Realtor, Coldwell Banker (left)
Millie Shemluck lives and breathes Chicago; when securing a teaching job meant leaving, she chose real estate. She has over $100 million in sales within the past five years and is on the Governing Board for Women in Real Estate. Her greatest achievement is the Museum Park community. “It’s a new community south of Grant Park and has so many positive things going for it,” Ms. Shemluck says. Her secrets to success include “putting yourself out there” and avoiding assumptions. “You want to make sure you realize everyone’s human,” she says. “We all have chances to stereotype. Not doing that has made me more successful.” Average annual sales volume $20 million+ Years in profession 30

Louise Study Agent, Baird & Warner (right)
Louise Study’s first business partner was an industry veteran. Working with Patricia Study, she was one half of one of Chicago’s first mother/daughter real estate teams. Ms. Study’s familiarity with the history of Gold Coast homes has helped her to be named one of The Merchandise Mart’s Luxe 25 for the last two years. “I demand a great deal from myself,” says Ms. Study. Clients have been expecting quality from Ms. Study since the early ‘90s, and have trusted her with friends and family; she’s done over eight transactions within a single family. “[I feel pleased] when clients ask to work with me again,” Ms. Study says. “It’s a statement that they must be pleased with what I’m doing.” Average annual sales volume $15 million+ Years in profession 17

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