Xun Del Sesto is not in real estate to just sell neighborhood homes; her mission is to build a bridge from Chicago to the rest of the world. An esteemed Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty agent and winner of their prestigious Huzenis Award in 2019, Xun utilizes her extensive experience on the world stage to act as an ambassador for the city of Chicago, bolstering its status within the international marketplace. 

Not one to ever settle for less or be limited, Xun has always reached for more in life. Born and raised in downtown Shanghai, she was not given much growing up and had to figure things out for herself; her diplomat parents were often assigned overseas postings.

“I was raised by my grandmother, who was illiterate, and though she did her best to feed me, she was in no position to support me, help me, or assist me on a larger scale to achieve the goals I set for myself,” explains Xun. 

Xun was one of the select twenty freshmen from across the nation who earned a spot at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing with the Chinese investment company CITIC Group’s inaugural scholarship program; the students’ tuition was fully paid all four years and they were guaranteed a job with CITIC Group upon graduation.  

After graduating in 1989 with a bachelor’s in economics, she started her career as a commercial real estate agent, serving Fortune 200 companies in Beijing. After attending a three-month training program, sponsored by CITIC Real Estate Inc., in West Palm Beach 1992, Xun was determined to find her way back to the US, so she switched to working for international companies so she could quickly accumulate enough funds to sponsor graduate study here. She assumed the position Country Manager for some prestigious European machinery manufacturers and spearheaded their operations in China—she set up representative offices, established distribution channels, and later identified joint-venture partners for local production.

The next twenty years saw Xun move from Beijing to Florida, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore, earn a master’s degree in international business administration, and accumulate invaluable experience in international business, sales and marketing, management consulting, and real estate along the way. 

When Xun and her family decided to settle in Chicago in 2013, she shifted her focus to raising her three kids and volunteering in the community, while freelancing on the side—working on international business development initiatives. During this time, Xun served on the local school council and the board of Friends of Lincoln Park High School.

In 2016, while chairing the Lion Pride Spring Gala for Lincoln Park High School and spearheading the Lincoln International Festival for Abraham Lincoln Elementary School (an established tradition today), Xun connected with a fellow volunteer who was also a REALTOR®. Seeing Xun’s natural leadership ability and captivating personality, she encouraged Xun to obtain her broker’s license and enter residential real estate.

Xun started her residential career in 2017, and although she was with another broker briefly, she soon aligned herself with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. She embraced the company wholeheartedly, and quickly set herself apart with her mixture of professionalism, kindness, talent, and grace. Detail-oriented and extremely hands-on, Xun creates a customized game plan for each of her clients that she then executes with integrity, expertise, and empathy. A certified relocation specialist as well as a ninja of Larry Kendall’s Ninja Selling, Xun is recognized by clients and peers alike for her exemplary service.

Today, Xun’s passion is in being an advocate for Chicago and representing the city on the world stage. “My goal is to promote Chicago property in the world marketplace and elevate its status as a global city,” she says. “I have lived in five countries and traveled the world, am multicultural and multilingual, and am very experienced in buying, selling, and renting homes. Real estate is one of those industries that by helping your clients, you are impacting their lives, and I plan to make an impact on a global scale.”

In 2023, Xun was honored to participate in Sotheby's International Realty's Global Networking Event 2023 (GNE2023) conference where she was on a panel titled “From Ordinary to Extraordinary". In addition to her, four other panelists shared their best practices with conference attendees.

As important as it is for Xun to promote Chicago real estate in the world marketplace, she works just as hard to make an impact within her local community and is a huge advocate for fair housing and economic development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she used her connections to source personal protective equipment from China and then donated it to medical facilities on the South Side and to fellow agents across the country. 

In addition, Xun serves on the Diversity 77 committee as well as the Global Real Estate Council committee for Chicago Association of REALTORS®, and she is a member of Asian Real Estate Association of America. 

Xun’s heart for Chicago is boundless. Even outside of the real estate, she loves nothing more than to walk the city, taking in all the sights and sounds and delicious food. As a “foodie” family, Xun and her husband, Tony, and their three kids, Chiara, Gianni, and Tony, love exploring all the different restaurants in the city, as well as utilizing their own skills in the kitchen, cooking up amazing meals for the whole family to enjoy.

 

From her humble beginnings in Shanghai to her notable and decorated path through international markets, Xun has proven that passion, dedication, and a relentless drive can shape not just careers but also communities. While her prowess in real estate is unquestionable, what stands out is her genuine commitment to Chicago and her continuous efforts to foster connections, both locally and internationally. As she represents Chicago on the global stage, with her heart anchored within its streets and communities, Xun embodies the essence of global thinking with local action.