Long before she was a Realtor, Katie Barreto spent her spare time looking up homes and condos in the area to get familiar with the market. “Real estate was always a passion and very interesting to me,” Barreto says. “I went to real estate school after work, then started part time. After I built up my clientele, I made the jump and haven’t looked back since.”

Fast-forward eight years, and Barreto’s success has had no bounds. She has received numerous designations from RE/MAX, including being a 100% Club member for four years, a 2017 Platinum Club member, a Top 100 agent and a No. 1 commercial individual of the year. She has also made Chicago Agent’s Who’s Who list for four consecutive years and recently achieved her designation as a Seller Representative Specialist.

“My clients know that I care about them and their happiness,” Barreto says. “It’s not a sale. It’s helping them move into the next chapter of their lives. I truly want them to love their home and know that I have their best interests at heart.”

Barreto is actively involved in numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, which holds a particularly special place in her heart, as her father suffers from an advanced stage of the disease. “I hosted a large fundraiser in the community last summer, and it was a huge success,” Barreto says. “Through the generosity of those who attended, as well as those who donated virtually, we raised a significant amount of money for the cause and hope to raise even more going forward.”

Barreto is also a supporter of Angelwish, an organization that grants wishes to children around the world suffering from chronic illnesses. An ardent animal lover, she enjoys taking Henry, her West Highland white terrier, who is in training to be a therapy dog, on walks around the city, including along the Chicago Riverwalk, on architectural excursions and even to restaurants.