“Success isn’t a ‘place.’ It’s a feeling—knowing that you’ve made your mark both professionally and personally, and that people will remember you for how you made them feel," says REALTORⓇ Donna Glazer of Keller Williams Experience in Downers Grove. 

Donna’s clear confidence is much in thanks to her close-knit family, but especially her grandmother, Elise, a central figure in Donna's formative years. Elsie instilled a sense of empowerment and resilience in her granddaughter. 

“Grandma always made sure that I knew I was just as good, important, and capable as anyone else,” Donna says. 

It was this self-assurance that would guide Donna through the twists and turns of her professional life. Initially following her passion for fashion, Donna advanced to a general manager position at a contemporary clothing store. But a chance encounter with a wealthy customer inspired her to change her career path. 

“She explained that I could make more money as a REALTORⓇ than I could making commission on selling clothes,” Donna remembers. “Her bill rang up to over $4,000 and she didn’t bat an eye. That opened my eyes.”

The brief exchange lit a fire in Donna. She became licensed in 1994, working in real estate part-time while also working as a server. One day at the restaurant, a difficult customer condescendingly remarked that her server job was “the lowest of the low.” That moment cemented Donna’s decision to pursue real estate full-time. 

But like many, she soon faced some challenges. In particular, she often had clients question her credibility because of her young age. 

“One client said, ‘You’re the same age as my kid, and my kid is in jail. Why should I trust you?’” Donna shares. “To compensate, I started wearing business suits, tons of makeup, high heels, and I enhanced my vocabulary to sound more polished and poised. But because that wasn’t me, I felt uncomfortable.”

It didn’t take long, however, for Donna to realize that success came when she was authentically herself. So instead of focusing on appearance, she dedicated herself to mastering the intricacies of real estate and building genuine relationships with her clients.

Today, the Donna Glazer Team embodies her values of authenticity, dedication, and collaboration, and what she calls “the ABCs of success.”

“All you need to do to succeed is follow the ABCs: always be authentic; be present; consistency is key,” she affirms.

Through these ABCs, this close-knit team of women shares a common mission: provide top-tier service while genuinely caring about their clients.

“Vicky Bedlek, who has been with me since 2011, is my assistant and director of operations,” says Donna. “She oversees everything from listings to closing contracts and manages the team's Forever Client program. Danielle Victor, our buyer specialist, is known for her bubbly personality and years of experience in property management. Clients love her warm approach; she has a real ability to make them feel comfortable.” 

Donna emphasizes that her team works in harmony—they’re always collaborating, never competing. As a women-owned and run team, they pride themselves on breaking boundaries and empowering one another.

She offers an example of their team dynamics: “One week, each person on the team was working on a transaction that was particularly difficult for its own reason. We sat down together, and everyone explained their particular difficulties. We brainstormed as a team, each person bringing their own expertise and perspective to the table. It was a wonderful and productive meeting that brought all the difficult transactions to a close.”

Looking to the future, Donna has big plans for her team. She looks to expand her team organically, with a focus on maintaining the strong relationships that have been at the heart of their success. 

“Eighty-nine percent of my business comes from past clients or referrals,” she says with pride. 

 

Outside of work, Donna’s life revolves around her family. Her husband, Art, owns a successful restaurant in Orland Park, and their two teenage children, Gabi and Zach, keep her busy and fill her with pride. When she’s not cheering on Gabi’s softball team or admiring Zach’s latest gardening efforts, Donna finds peace at the beach. “It’s my happy place,” she says. 

Donna is passionate about passing on Elsie’s teachings too: “I strive to empower all the women in my life, and that starts with empowering girls. Girls need to know that they can do anything that they set their minds to,” she says. 

Whether soaking up the sun, enjoying family time, or giving to others, Donna knows the importance of balancing her drive for success, fortified by her ABCs, with moments of relaxation and joy. For Donna, real estate isn’t just a job—it’s her passion, her dream, and her way of leaving a legacy of trust and empowerment.