As a private banker at First Chicago Bank, Joanne Kersten Hudson longed both to work in an energetic and challenging industry and to be compensated directly for her efforts. Hudson found exactly what she was looking for in real estate.

Hudson has been in real estate for 28 years and regularly ranks among the top 1 percent of brokers in the nation. She works with buyers and sellers of private residences as well as developers. “I love my clients and the challenges this career offers,” she says. “I feel an incredible sense of fulfillment when I know that my clients are happy and I’ve helped them achieve their goals.”

Hudson and her husband, Steve, opened The Hudson Company in 2001 and sold their business to Compass last July. “It’s been a perfect fit,” she says. “And our team is still together and growing.”

One major accomplishment for Hudson was selling 5 Indian Hill Road in Winnetka, the longest listing she ever had, this past year. It was a tricky sale because the home had been renovated and expanded and was in a high price bracket that isn’t seeing a lot of demand in the current market. “I held office meetings there, used drone photography, hosted many open houses and even had a video made in the house, which showed the home through the eyes of two kids playing hide-and-seek,” she recalls. “Eventually, a wonderful family fell in love with it.”

At the start of 2019, Hudson decided to take time out at the end of each day to post on Facebook about a person who has enriched her life. Although she has missed a few days, overall, she’s kept her commitment. The practice has made her realize how many wonderful people she knows.

Hudson is active in Christ Church in Winnetka as well as many other charitable organizations on the North Shore. She loves music — particularly playing piano and participating in the church’s bell choir — and spending time with family. “I am thrilled our son is joining us in the business,” she says, adding that “our daughter shares our enthusiasm from the sidelines.”