Embracing change and investing in helping others are both fundamental for Baird & Warner Broker Ashley Thompson. As a key broker in the northwest suburbs, she was awarded the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors Gold Award in 2021 after her sales placed her in the top 3% for transactions. Additionally, for the third year in a row, Thompson was recently recognized as a member of Baird & Warner’s Founders Club—their top club level.

A former teacher, Thompson has been working in real estate for the past eight years. Throughout those years, she has seen her share of change and emphasizes the need for flexibility. Like others, she has had to recalibrate her professional style since 2019. As she explains, “Covid-19 taught me the power of adaptability. The entire business seemed to change overnight, and I was able to embrace the changes. For the first time, I met with buyers and sellers over Zoom or Facetime instead of in person. I also started adding video tours to my listings since people were not doing in-person showings.”

Compassion is also a driving factor for Thompson. As a broker, she maintains a Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation, which allows her to provide additional support and resources for elderly clients. Speaking of her expertise, she says, “Oftentimes these clients need someone who can not only walk them through the home-selling process, but who can also refer services such as decluttering (especially if they have lived in their home for decades). Additionally, I can refer them to independent or assisted living facilities. Senior clients need an agent who is a good listener, someone who is patient and someone who is also empathetic to the fact that selling their home is often a big change for them.” A natural when it comes to helping people, Thompson is sure to imbue meaningfulness in her relationships to clients throughout her future as a broker.