For Ali Wenzke, becoming a REALTOR® was just another step in her mission to help people through the challenges of moving, a mission that began long before she obtained her license in 2021. 

Having moved ten times in eleven years, Ali developed a passion for sharing her knowledge and experience on everything moving related—from decluttering to home staging to the logistics of moving. She even started a blog and wrote a book called The Art to Happy Moving: How to Declutter, Pack, and Start Over While Maintaining Your Sanity and Finding Happiness.

“We had moving down to a science,” Ali explains. “What I realized, though, is the emotional side of moving was often ignored. I know what it's like to uproot your life and start all over in a new city. As a REALTOR®, I love being there for my clients through the process of buying or selling a house, and then later, as they become part of their new community.”

While becoming a REALTOR® seemed like the next logical step in Ali’s mission, her career path was anything but linear. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Ali looked up to her grandmother for her endless kindness and optimism, even in the face of deteriorating health. Helping others was always at the root of Ali’s aspirations.

After graduating from Harvard College, Ali and her husband, Dan, set out on their ten-year journey, traveling across the country and throughout several different states. Ali graduated from Stanford Law School and was a stay-at-home mom before writing her book. She spent several years sharing her knowledge about moving before obtaining her license and starting a career in real estate. “I decided I wanted to help people on a one-on-one basis, and now, as REALTOR®, I am there every step of the way,” Ali shares. 

While Ali knew how to help people through their move and be there for them, running her own business introduced a host of new challenges. Fortunately, Ali loves to challenge herself. One challenge she faced was pushing herself to be on camera for social media, which Ali feels is an important part of this business. “When I first started on camera, it felt daunting and embarrassing and I did not want to do it,” Ali shares. “But the more I did it, the easier it became.” Ali now finds that she connects with many potential clients through social media and her videos, and she even enjoys the video-making process. 

As an agent with Compass today, Ali is enthusiastic about bringing people together. Whether she’s hosting client events or community events, she loves connecting people who have common interests. “Our business isn't just about finding homes for individuals and families,” Ali emphasizes. “It's about helping them find a community and that sense of belonging. I've lived in many places around the country, and I think the level of community we have here on the North Shore is unparalleled.”

Ali has a deep passion for her community. She supports several local nonprofit organizations, creating awareness for them with social media shout-outs and by hosting activity fairs in Wilmette, where residents can go to learn about volunteer opportunities with nonprofits. These fairs even led to a bi-monthly nonprofit coffee event at the Woman’s Club of Wilmette, where people from various community organizations come together and learn from one another.    

Outside of real estate and volunteer work, Ali’s favorite thing to do is to go to Gillson Beach and walk along Lake Michigan. She also enjoys reading next to a cozy fire, watching stand-up comedy with her husband, having game nights with friends, and eating chocolate chip cookies with her three teenagers. 

At the end of the day, Ali’s goal is to leave the world a little better off than how she found it. “When I look back at my life, I hope I’ve spread kindness and love and that I’ve made a positive impact on the people around me,” Ali shares. “Life is all about the people, and that’s why my family, friends, and community are so important to me.”

As Ali continues helping people one-to-one through all the challenges of buying and selling homes and relocating, there is no doubt she will continue to leave a positive impact on the lives of many.