Meet Our Staff

Marci Sepulveda
Publisher
A veteran of the real estate industry, Marci Sepulveda has been an expert in real estate training, sales and marketing for over two decades. Marci has years of experience working with national and regional builders and developers in all phases, including research, strategic planning, design, and plan execution. Currently the publisher of Agent Publishing, Marci co-founded the company with Anne Hartnett in 2003. A devoted mother of two young boys, Marci enjoys reading and going to movies in her rare free time. Email

Anne Hartnett
Publisher
As managing partner of Agent Publishing, Anne Hartnett is responsible for the company’s strategic direction, corporate alliances and marketing efforts. Prior to being a co-founder of Agent Publishing in 2003, Anne successfully founded and grew Luxe Marketing Communications LLC, where she developed marketing and advertising solutions for such leading companies as Hyatt Hotels, U.S. Cellular, Coldwell Banker and several real estate developers. Anne has been a guest speaker at the magazine publishing seminars Folio Magazine’s Folio Show and Folio’s Entrepreneurial Summit. An amateur cook and gardener, Anne likes to vacation on the slopes. Email

Stephanie Sims
Editor
Stephanie Sims is the Managing Editor of Chicago Agent, but started working for the publication in 2006 as a freelance writer. She joined the team full-time in 2011 with both editorial/publishing experience and online marketing experience, which included a stint at Vegas-based online retailer Zappos.com. She has a passion for both the real estate industry and journalism, and in addition to planning editorial calendars and assigning and writing stories, she manages the Chicago Agent website content strategy and social media strategy. When Stephanie isn’t planning and putting together an issue of Chicago Agent, she travels to far and exotic places, socializes with friends and has a love-hate relationship with running. Email

 
Danya Shaikh
Art Director
Danya Shaikh found her calling in graphic design as a graduate student at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University. She studied journalism, but concentrated in graphic design and has been in love with the latter ever since. She moved to Chicago in 2011 to pursue her career in the field of media, and has loved every minute of living in the city. Danya handles the layout of Chicago Agent magazine, as well as other design projects that pop up. In her free time, she enjoys crafts, yoga, spinning, reading and spending time with loved ones. Email.

Peter Ricci
Assistant Editor
In a sense, Peter Ricci never left Chicago Agent. After working as an intern for the magazine in 2009, Peter completed his studies in magazine journalism at Ohio University the following year, only to rejoin the magazine’s operations the following summer as its Assistant Editor. In his position, Peter divides his time between the print publication, where he copyedits and writes stories, and the magazine’s website, where he writes much of the site’s content. In addition, Peter is responsible for the magazine’s Twitter and Facebook accounts, and he assists Agent Publishing with any special publications it may be working on. In his increasingly rare free time, Peter loves to run, watch movies and uphold his adoration for the written word. Email

Kim Jarosz
Assistant to the Publishers
Kim Jarosz graduated from Marquette University with a degree in advertising, and gained valuable marketing – as well as real estate – experience from her first job as an office manager and marketing coordinator for a start-up real estate company. As the assistant to the publishers at Chicago Agent, Kim handles everything from managing advertising eblasts and coordinating with advertisers to helping organize and process the magazine’s client database. She provides support for the publishers and represents them at events and in communication with clients, as well. When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her family and friends and is looking forward to moving to the city of Chicago in the near future. Email

David Wright
Special Projects Manager
Formerly the marketing manager for a top Chicago Realtor, David joined the Chicago Agent team in 2011, bringing along his talent for copywriting, Internet marketing and photo retouching. With a passion for writing and social media, David lends his skills to the company’s Realtor clients as well as the magazine itself. When not in the office, David enjoys running along the lakefront, reading and following politics and current events. Email

Ed Blankenship
Graphic Designer
A native of Ohio, once Ed Blankenship graduated from Kent State University, he headed for the Windy City in search of new challenges and experiences in both life and design. As a graphic designer for Chicago Agent, he primarily works on the magazine’s custom publications. He is responsible for photo retouching, photo editing and graphic design for these publications, and he also creates brochures, print ads, e-blasts, signage and postcards for various clients. When he isn’t working, he likes to write music to play on his guitar, cook and photographing various scenes around the city. Email

Jodi Schallman
Photographer
Jodi Schallman has been photographing events for Chicago Agent since the magazine’s inception in 2003. Her background stems from corporate marketing, photography and graphics. Jodi moved to New York where she worked for a photography and print company, and then returned home to Chicago to pursue her interest in real estate and interior design. In addition to working with the magazine, Jodi has been freelancing as photographer and marketing person for developers, mortgage companies, agents and anyone who needs her assistance.

Dan Machnik
Photographer
Dan Machnik photographed Chicago Agent’s first cover in 2003, and he has been working with the magazine ever since. In addition to covers, Dan also tackles Who’s Who features and some My Styles as well. A seasoned photographer, Dan specializes in shooting people on location. For Chicago Agent, Dan and the magazine work to create the publication’s visual appeal. Outside of work, Dan takes great pleasure in watching his daughter grow up.