Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Susan’s parents moved their five children to Glencoe in 1964. Having grown up in this community and raised her two children in Glencoe, Susan continues to live in the New Trier School District. Susan is not only selling homes, but sincerely and organically selling the lifestyle that she has loved since childhood.

 

She worked in the corporate world for Sprint for many years, where her job required driving hundreds of miles a week. “After two decades, I decided I would like to have a part-time career and not drive as much,” she explains.

 

Before leaving her role, Susan wanted to take advantage of her excellent health benefits, so she scheduled every kind of doctor check-up possible. At one appointment, they found a lump in one of her breasts. Over the next several months, she underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and recovery. During that time, she had a lot of opportunities to think about what she wanted to do next.

 

“I had been approached by the vice president of a different brokerage for many years about getting into real estate,” says Susan. “Once I was healthy enough, I reached out to him about starting my career.”

 

After only a few weeks as a REALTORⓇ, inspired by her recent recovery from breast cancer, Susan founded a charity called A Million Tomorrows to raise funds for breast cancer research. Over 250 people attended her flagship event in Glencoe where they raised over $80,000. The success of this event launched Susan into the spotlight and jump-started her business.

 

“The event gave me an incredible amount of exposure both in the community at large and among other brokers,” says Susan. “When I look back on it, this one event may have [been what] set me apart in the area.”

 

Along with sharing her personal experiences with surviving cancer, Susan’s goal with her charitable activities has been to help relieve the stresses of others who are going through difficult experiences. In both her philanthropic efforts and in her role as a REALTORⓇ, she aims to encourage people through their anxiety, and she always and looks forward to creating a stress-free and positive experience for her sellers and buyers. 

 

“I’ve spoken with many people who are going through breast cancer, and I feel grateful for the opportunity to help them navigate their illness and express to them that life will turn around and the sun will shine again,” says Susan. “It is tremendously rewarding to feel that you have made a difference in the life of another human being. I feel that not only personally, but also professionally as a real estate broker. I have made many new friendships with my clients and that has also been rewarding.”

 

Several years after her beginnings as a broker, Susan faced and overcame a very challenging situation, both emotionally and professionally, that threatened her burgeoning career. It was 2008, and the market downturn put real estate deals for many agents, including Susan, in trouble, but she pulled through with flying colors with help from her seasoned perseverance.

 

“I was involved in building some new-construction developments and just didn't see the crash coming,” she remembers. “I lost a tremendous amount of money. I could have stayed in bed and never got up, but I kept going, one day at a time, one step at a time, to improve my life and regain my business.”

 

Susan’s success is evident. She not only regained her business in spades, but she also received countless accolades. 

 

Outside of work, Susan and her adult children, Jordan and Mimi, remain close. They frequently travel together and gather for family meals. Currently, the planning of Mimi's upcoming wedding, and the impending birth of Jordan’s twins, keeps Susan’s days full. Yet, even after two decades now as a REALTORⓇ, Susan remains as focused as ever on her business and career. 

 

“I am passionate about continuing to do what I have always done: listening to others and helping them solve problems,” Susan says. “I still love the fact that each and every day provides a new experience and a new opportunity to do just that.  While technology has given us many helpful tools, the personal touch and the ability to understand a client's desires and emotions are irreplaceable.”