Working in the real estate advertising department at the Chicago Sun-Times was Ashley Cox’s introduction to the real estate industry and the Chicago market. This was the role that sparked her interest in the field. She transitioned into higher education for nearly a decade before returning to real estate — only this time, on the sales side. “It wasn’t until I went through the process of purchasing my first home that I seriously considered a career in real estate,” says Cox, a Realtor with d’aprile properties. “I wanted to help buyers and sellers, and I knew I could make their experiences smooth and stress-free if I started with client-specific education, and remained focused on open, honest communication and trust.”

Working with Cox means working with a Realtor who is a fierce advocate for her clients. She’s passionate about consistently delivering positive outcomes. “I’m not afraid to enter into challenging conversations, especially when it comes to protecting a client’s best interests,” she says.

As leader of the Cox|Miller Real Estate Team, Cox’s passion for mentoring new agents has given her a unique perspective. She uses her own industry experience to manage, train and guide other agents through their transactions.

On top of leading a team and being a loyal champion for her clients, Cox also had her first baby at the end of 2019. “My biggest accomplishment was learning how to juggle being a new mom, a top producing agent and seeing a terminally ill parent through their final months of life, all while surviving a global pandemic,” she shares. “2020 taught me a lot about perseverance and resilience in the face of a lot of change and adversity.

As a first-time mom, Cox’s proudest personal accomplishment of 2020 was seeing her daughter through her first year of life. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, getting outdoors and taking advantage of all of the exciting things Chicago has to offer.