After 10 years as a vice president in commercial banking in Chicago, Susan Sondag took a leap of faith and moved to Manhattan. “I had to recreate my professional life in New York City, so I decided to launch a career in real estate,” says Sondag. “Most people start off on teams to be mentored, but that wasn’t the case for me. I already had experience in cold calling, negotiating contracts and managing banking relationships with C-level executives, so I knew that I had the business acumen and poise to make it independently. That fast-paced, global real estate environment was the absolute best place to learn the business.”
Eight years later, Sondag has continued her success back in Chicago. She is a member of Baird & Warner’s Vice President’s Club, is a certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert and continues to maintain her New York license as a referral agent with Douglas Elliman. “Serving my clients’ needs requires a symphony of steps to orchestrate to a successful close, and I consider it to be the highest honor and opportunity to serve.”
Often described as trustworthy, professional and sharp, Sondag strives to go above and beyond her sellers’ expectations. Her astute real estate skills and in-depth knowledge of the Chicago market, along with her ability to analyze data, allow her to educate her buyers and sellers and position them for successful negotiations.
Originally from Iowa, Sondag balances hard work with daily meditation and an active lifestyle on the lakefront with Sophie, her goldendoodle. She dedicates a great deal of her time and resources to volunteering for CMA International Foundation and the Global SELF Foundation, and she offers private consulting through her company, Elite Excellence Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Iowa, which she financed on her own through grit and determination.
