In many ways, for Leanna Hill, real estate was a rebirth. Before venturing into the industry, Leanna was struggling to find her purpose. She had been working as a court reporter/stenographer for ten years and was feeling extremely burnt out. She was also experiencing some difficulty trying to start a family. Then the pandemic hit, and her thoughts and emotions about her job came flooding to the surface. 

“Court reporting was taking a toll on me both mentally and physically,” Leanna explains.  

Leanna had gotten into court reporting after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign with a degree in human development and family studies in 2008. 

“I had a family friend who was a court reporter, and it seemed like something I’d enjoy—I’ve been known as ‘the grammar police,’” Leanna shares, laughing. “Plus, a lot of friends were struggling to find jobs at the time, so continuing on with school felt like the way to go.” 

While Leanna always had an interest in real estate, that interest peaked in 2017 when she sold her first condo in Bucktown. She loved the whole process—from coming up with the listing price to staging the photos. By nature, and with being a court reporter, she was already very detail-oriented, as well as a very good listener. She saw and knew within herself that she could excel in real estate.

Leanna was also looking for something new. After years of recording testimonies in the courtroom, at law firms, and even at the county jail, she now found herself wanting a career that got her out from behind a computer, where she could showcase her personality and work more with people. 

Leanna grew up in a hospitality-driven, people-first environment. Raised in Park Ridge, Leanna comes from a big, Greek family, who often meet at their family restaurant, Papa Chris’ Place, located on the northwest side of Chicago. “The restaurant,” as it is affectionately referred to by Leanna’s family, was started by her grandfather thirty-eight years ago, and it is now run by Leanna’s uncle. 

“The success of the restaurant is a true testament to my grandfather's hard work and ability to always make customers feel at home,” Leanna emphasizes. “Everyone who walks in the door is greeted by one of my family members, and, in turn, they have become like part of our family. Having that ability to make others feel so loved and comfortable is very special.”

For Leanna, real estate was an opportunity for her to get back to her family roots and embrace her true self. And that’s exactly what she did. Although giving up her professional court reporter identity and her identity as a prospective mother was scary for Leanna, once she began focusing on herself, making her mind and body a priority both inside and outside of real estate, things began to change. 

“My business began to grow within the same time that our beautiful baby, Mia, decided to come into our lives. Now that I look back, that concurrence was more than perfect. I learned a lot about releasing control during that time, and that has helped me immensely as a REALTOR® when navigating deals with clients. You can control your own actions, but you can't control those of others,” Leanna shares. 

As a member of the PAK Group with @properties today, Leanna is most passionate about finding the perfect places for her clients to call home and being that source of support for them throughout the process of buying, selling, and moving. For Leanna, there is nothing better than to hear her clients say, “We found our dream home thanks to you,” or “You knew this was the right home for me, and I’m so grateful you found it.”

Looking into the future, Leanna plans to continue on the path she’s on: growing her business year after year, and turning more and more people into clients and friends with the PAK Group. “The team I am a part of is truly like a family, and I love being part of this team,” she says. “We have recently started hosting many fun events for our clients, as well as engaging with colleagues more and more, and I look forward to what the future has in store for us.”

When Leanna is not working, you can find her in Park Ridge on Saturdays, frequenting the farmer’s market during the summer, and spending as much time as possible with Mia and her husband, Bob. She also loves reading and spending a day at the spa for some rest and relaxation. For exercise, she enjoys going to the Sanctuary in Edison Park for yoga and to powHerhouse in Park Ridge for personal training. 

A huge proponent of healthy living, Leanna is an advocate for using nontoxic products and all-natural, holistic medicine whenever possible. In fact, her friends and clients often call her for advice on which products to use when cleaning their home, which remedies to use for their kids’ ailments, which make-up has the least amount of chemicals, and more.   

“Success to me is happiness and health!” Leanna emphasizes.

For Leanna, real estate is not just a career but a vibrant journey of renewal and personal fulfillment, echoing the timeless rhythms of rebirth and new beginnings. As she continues to weave her unique blend of passion and expertise into the lives of her clients, she embodies the essence of rejuvenation, proving that every challenge is a precursor to a new chapter.