Melissa Archer-Wirtz, CMO
Drussy Hernandez, Managing Broker
Rachael Mann, Managing Director of The North Shore

CONLON: A Real Estate Company/Christie’s International Real Estate

Inspiring agents has long been part of the CONLON/Christie’s cache, with 2015 being a notable year of growth throughout the company. Led by three outstanding women — Melissa Archer-Wirtz, Drussy Hernandez and Rachel Mann — these leaders help agents use their most influential experiences to create rewarding careers serving clients and the community.

Archer-Wirtz, the brokerage’s CMO, has two degrees from the University of Iowa and used her education as a Peace Corps volunteer on behalf of special projects in Africa. Always inspired by her understanding of community development, she built her career by using her skills to craft innovative marketing strategies for companies that specialize property development. Over the past 11 years, she has truly honed her talent in real estate marketing, bringing CONLON/Christie’s to a new level. She is credited for initiatives like new community start-up campaigns, global branding projects and individual broker marketing. “I work closely with the talented agents at CONLON/Christie’s,” says Archer-Wirtz, adding that she strives to maximize the return on any marketing budget even as she easily adapts to shifting priorities to meet myriad professional demands.

Balancing the many demands on her time, Archer-Wirtz remains civically engaged. She hosts an annual charitable golf function for nearly 350 participants while earning industry accolades like placement on Michigan Avenue Magazine’s “The List” in 2014. “I believe that everyone has something to give, whether it’s a donation of time or money.”

Hernandez, CONLON/Christie’s highly respected Managing Broker, also utilizes skills from a previous profession. Her background as a social worker allows her special insight to the challenges that her agents face when working with clients. She often finds herself offering guidance and counsel like she did in her former role. “I make certain that my agents have someone they can go to when they need to resolve issues for their clients and with other brokers,” she explains. “They can trust that I’ll support their efforts because they’re my Number 1 priority.” In addition to supporting her team of professionals, Hernandez actively helps family and friends buy and sell property, giving her a front line understanding of market issues. She continues her own education adding multiple designations including certifications in short sales, foreclosure and relocation.

A member of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and the Chicago Association of Realtors, Hernandez believes in candid communication to avoid unexpected challenges. “I believe that being straightforward creates a positive professional environment.” Moreover, she celebrates her team’s successes as a way to continuously inspire her agents.

Mann, now CONLON/Christie’s Managing Director of The North Shore, first completed law degree studies as she was drawn to the notion that she would be able to use creativity and intellect to solve problems. Rather than become a practicing attorney, she opted to become a real estate professional where she is able to meet multiple challenges head on.

Mann also points to the importance of teamwork when it comes to ensuring that CONLON/Christie’s clients fulfill their real estate goals. A member of the North Shore-Barrington Association of Realtors, she says that collaboration is key when working with buyers, sellers, developers and investors. “I approach my work by establishing partnerships rooted in trust and an understanding of what my agents and clients need,” she says. This allows her to better manage expectations and help those with whom she collaborates to prioritize needs versus wants.

While the roles they play vary, these colleagues no doubt possess a shared goal and unified drive to make certain that the CONLON/Christie’s name is synonymous with excellence.