TOMMY CHOI
Keller Williams ONEChicago
If you could share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
The direction you travel in is much more important than your speed!
What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen
ANTJE GEHRKEN
A.R.E. Partners
What are you most excited to work on in the year ahead?
Getting more of our great members involved with the association.
If someone is visiting Chicago for the first time, what is the one place they must visit?
Drive the outer drive and go to the lakefront at one, or many, of its excellent spots.
ANTHONY HARDY
Keller Williams ONEChicago
What are you most excited to work on in the year ahead?
Impacting diversity in commercial real estate.
If someone is visiting Chicago for the first time, what is the one place they must visit?
They have to catch a game at Wrigley Field.
DRUSSY HERNANDEZ
Coldwell Banker Realty
If you could share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Remember that real estate is a business. Work on a business plan that you review on a regular basis to measure your successes and keep yourself accountable.
What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
I have a few but Eris Brewery and Cider House has great food, wonderful ambiance and décor and plenty of outdoor seating for those of us who enjoy it. I love supporting the first female-owned brewery in Chicago!
GRACE KAAGE
COMPASS
If you could share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Do the right thing and it will all work out.
What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
Gibson’s on Rush outside with a slightly dirty martini and blue cheese olives.
MARKI LEMONS RYHAL
EXIT Strategy Realty
If you could share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Commit to being a lifelong learner.
What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
Lem’s Bar-B-Q
NICK LIBERT
EXIT Strategy Realty
If you could share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
My biggest piece of advice is to engage with your fellow REALTORS® and the Chicago Association of REALTORS®. This is truly a mastermind of incredible talent and diversity of both knowledge and backgrounds!
If someone is visiting Chicago for the first time, what is the one place they must visit?
An architectural tour on the Chicago River is a must-do. Take a guided tour with a local expert who will narrate the experience for you firsthand.
LUTALO McGEE
Ani Real Estate
What are you most excited to work on in the year ahead?
I am interested in continuing the work CAR has been doing in the area of inclusion and diversity, especially around marginalized groups in commercial real estate. Our association is much stronger when voices and faces from various groups are represented and barriers are torn down. Recent leadership has been great in this area, and I want to do my part to continue that work.
If someone is visiting Chicago for the first time, what is the one place they must visit?
I think everyone has to visit Navy Pier when they come to Chicago. Take a walk and look back on our skyline.
MICHELLE MILLS CLEMENT
Chicago Association of REALTORS®
If someone is visiting Chicago for the first time, what is the one place they must visit?
The Chicago Riverwalk! It’s beautiful, displays the stunning Chicago architecture and has great water views. The buildings reflecting off the river are really cool to see first thing in the morning. All of the restaurants and seating areas are really enjoyable, as well.
What are you most excited to work on in the year ahead?
We’ll be having our first ever Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Summit! I can’t wait to showcase what we’ve been doing in a practical way. Also, I’m excited to enhance our new Legal Library platform for our commercial brokers, which is going to be a game-changer. We’ve worked on this for three years, so to finally be able to launch it and get feedback is really exciting.
NYKEA PIPPION McGRIFF
Coldwell Banker Realty
If you could share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Surround yourself with people who will cheer you on and give you constructive feedback.
If someone is visiting Chicago for the first time, what is the one place they must visit?
Museum of Science and Industry.
CHRIS PEZZA
The Apartment Source
What are you most excited to work on in the year ahead?
Protecting the private property rights of our clients will always be my main focus.
If someone is visiting Chicago for the first time, what is the one place they must visit?
Chicago has so many amazing restaurants, night clubs, museums and venues, but I’d say chill out on Northerly Island and take in the lake air and the amazing views!
AYOUB RABAH
Coldwell Banker Realty
What are you most excited to work on in the year ahead?
Being an advocate for all our membership and providing a voice to the public that continuously promotes homeownership.
What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
Nobu
TRACEY ROYAL
Coldwell Banker Realty
If you could share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Respect this business as a career and not something to do on the side. Give it the attention and skillset it deserves.
What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
RPM
JIMENA SAYAVEDRA
Newmark
What are you most excited to work on in the year ahead?
The opportunity to interact with a diverse group of real estate professionals and the chance to integrate my work in commercial real estate with the real estate community in Chicago.
If someone is visiting Chicago for the first time, what is the one place they must visit?
The lakefront!
RACHEL SCHEID
Coldwell Banker Realty
If you could share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Root yourself in your why and let that lead you and your business into the success you want to see.
What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
It’s a tie between Beatrix in Fulton Market and Warbler in Lincoln Square! The food is fantastic, the vibes are chill and the staff is superb!
ERIK SCHWAB
Corcoran Urban Real Estate
If you could share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Be proud of what you do. The real estate industry is very complex, and REALTORS® provide an incredibly valuable service to clients navigating the industry. Don’t ever discount that, or yourself.
If someone is visiting Chicago for the first time, what is the one place they must visit?
I’d tell them downtown is great but pick any other neighborhood and check it out as well. It’s the individuality and complex mix of neighborhoods that make this city the best in the US.
ANDY SHIPARSKI
COMPASS
What are you most excited to work on in the year ahead?
We are in the middle of one of the most crucial times in our history with social and economic challenges. We have an opportunity to correct the wrongs of the past and create a better future for all who call Chicago home. Working with such a diverse and unified leadership team will empower forward movement, ultimately impacting the 77 neighborhoods that comprise this amazing city. We must continue our efforts by investing in and building all our communities equally.
What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
La Scarola
VICKY SILVANO
COMPASS
If you could share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Persistence and consistency are keys to a successful career. There’ll be ups and downs along your real estate journey. Don’t quit and never give up!
What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
ERIKA VILLEGAS
RE/MAX in the Village
If you could share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Work smarter, not harder.
If someone is visiting Chicago for the first time, what is the one place they must visit?
Go enjoy the Riverwalk.
SARAH WARE
Ware Realty Group
What are you most excited to work on in the year ahead?
Getting more members engaged in committees and at events since our membership is steadily growing. I’m looking forward to making more connections across the city.
What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
I have quite a few favorites but since breakfast is my favorite meal, I am going with a neighborhood favorite: 5 Loaves.