For Gianna Ricci, real estate is the only career she has ever known, and it’s been ingrained in her directly and indirectly for the greater part of her life. “It’s in my genetic makeup,” says Ricci, a district vice president for the near west region at Coldwell Banker Realty. “I spent the first 18 years of my career selling residential real estate in the western suburbs. I worked with my mother and business partner, Nikki Ricci, for 15 of those years. While she did not push me, I watched her build a business, and I understood I wanted to be a business owner.”

As a district vice president, Ricci leads a team of eight branch leaders and no longer sells homes. This leadership role requires adapting to help many different personality types succeed professionally. “I want my team to be passionate about their work and have fun,” she remarks, “but ultimately our purpose is to drive growth and perform.”

Ricci’s past clients would describe her as accessible, a good listener and someone who has a fierce understanding of the market. These are all traits that have contributed to her success in her leadership position. Even though she no longer works with buyers and sellers directly, she advises that a successful client relationship begins with the first meeting. “Within that meeting, it is our moment to set the tone as to how the process works,” she explains. “As professionals, we need to educate our clients.”

Assuming a leadership role during the pandemic was a position that was both challenging and rewarding for her to navigate. “I returned to my role as district VP just shy of 40 days before the pandemic,” she says. “Bringing my team together has been my biggest accomplishment.”

Ricci lives in Elmhurst with her husband, Craig, and their 4-year-old daughter.