Chicago Agent Magazine

10/18/2026

Growing up in Chicago’s suburbs, Malarie Starosta received her first bit of real estate education from her late father, a licensed Realtor and welder in high-rise construction. Before becoming licensed, she worked at a Gold Coast boutique hotel, nannied, bartended and served as a labor and delivery coach. Each role sharpened her compassion for people and her ability to read a room.

In 2017, Starosta made the bold decision to call around to several real estate brokerages posing as a prospective client — gauging how each treated people — and started her real estate career with the office where she felt most seen. That is what she believes every person buying, selling or renting deserves. Now an experienced broker and member of Home Collective, a top-ranked Compass team with more than $400 million in closed transactions and over 350 clients served, she covers all of Chicago, but specializes in Lincoln Park, West Town, Edgewater, Lakeview and the Gold Coast. Her clients range from first-time buyers to investors and luxury buyers. Most of the people she works with are referrals from past clients.

Malarie Starosta, Licensed Real Estate Broker
Home Collective™, Compass
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2026/malarie-starosta/

10/18/2026

Caleb Jennings and John Kambs were drawn to mortgage lending because it combines finance, problem-solving and helping people achieve the milestone of homeownership.

With 32 years of combined experience, Jennings and Kambs, branch managers of the Kambs Jennings Group at Rate, have seen every market cycle and lending scenario imaginable. Clients benefit from their deep product knowledge, creative problem-solving and access to a wide range of financing solutions. “Because we work with first-time buyers, luxury clients, self-employed borrowers, investors and union members, we have developed expertise across multiple market segments rather than focusing on a single niche,” they explain.

Jennings and Kambs lead a top-producing team focused on delivering exceptional service. Clients regularly describe them as responsive, knowledgeable, transparent and solutions driven.

Caleb Jennings, Branch Manager NMLS # 1688645
John Kambs, Kambs Jennings Group at Rate , Branch Manager NMLS # 224285
Kambs Jennings Group at Rate
Rate - Guaranteed Rate
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2026/kambs-jennings-group/

10/17/2026

Lisa Vaske achieved many milestones this year, winning Agent Magazine’s Loan Officer of the Year honor and entering her 40th year in lending, all with no signs of slowing down. Vaske has a natural talent for building relationships with Realtors and a love for numbers. Senior vice president of mortgage lending at Guaranteed Rate Affinity, she feels privileged to work with a team that includes a dedicated sales assistant, a marketing specialist and processing staff who are among the best in the business. Vaske offers a variety of loans to meet the unique needs of each client, from first-time buyer loans to loans for veterans, and everything in between. A seasoned professional, Vaske educates her clients throughout the process.

Most of Vaske’s business comes from referrals from Realtors, family, friends and past clients, who trust her ability to go above and beyond. “One of the things that keeps people coming back is my excellent communication and attention to detail,” she insists. “It was really ingrained in my brain early on to understand that the customer always comes first. The customer will keep coming back again and again if you treat them right.”

Lisa Vaske Loans, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending
Guaranteed Rate Affinity
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2026/lisa-vaske-3/

10/16/2026

Real estate has always been in Keith McMahon’s blood. Inspired by his mother, a Realtor in Naperville, and his uncle, who worked in commercial real estate, he graduated from DePaul University with a real estate finance and investment degree. Now, almost 16 years in the industry, McMahon’s fiduciary commitment goes beyond the standard sales pitch tactics. “I will actively advise clients against a purchase if the numbers or property conditions do not align with their long-term financial health,” he explains. “My clients get an experienced investment advisor and negotiator, combined with a local community advocate.”

A real estate broker and leader of the Keith McMahon Team with Compass, McMahon ensures every client receives immediate assistance from a licensed local expert. A life-long resident of Naperville and currently raising his family on the north side, he represents clients throughout the western suburbs, including Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield, Lisle, Wheaton, Darien, Oswego and Yorkville. With a background in real estate finance and investment, he is able to recognize real-time inventory shifts and pricing trends before they reflect in general statistics.

Keith McMahon - Compass Real Estate, Real Estate Broker, Team Lead
Compass Chicago
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2026/keith-mcmahon-2/

10/16/2026

🥂 Mainstreet Realtors® installed its 2026-2027 board of directors and new president, Greg Phillips, at its annual installation ceremony on Sept. 10. Phillips is Mainstreet’s 106th president.

https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/slideshows/mainstreet-realtors-2026-2027-board-installation/

10/15/2026

🥂 The North Shore-Barrington Association of Realtors® (NSBAR) celebrated its 107th annual installation gala, NSBAR Presents: A Night with the Stars, on Sept. 9 at the Halim Time & Glass Museum in Evanston. The evening brought members and guests together for a celebration featuring the installation of the 2026–2027 board of directors and incoming President Shannon Johnson.

10/15/2026

The youngest of nine siblings in a blended family, Kassie Houlihan learned early the value of relationships, community and making people feel welcome. Growing up around her parents’ successful business, Programmers Investment Corporation, she saw firsthand how trust, authenticity and genuine connection create lasting success. Those lessons continue to shape her approach to real estate today.

A broker with Christie’s International Real Estate, Houlihan serves clients throughout Chicago and the northwest suburbs, with particular expertise in Wildwood, Edgebrook and Sauganash. In addition, she works extensively in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, the Gold Coast, Arlington Heights, Barrington and Palatine, and recently expanded her business into Indiana. A former Spanish teacher and project manager, she brings an educator’s mindset to every transaction, helping clients understand the process, navigate challenges and make confident decisions.

Kassie Houlihan, Broker
atproperties Christie’s International Real Estate
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2026/kassie-houlihan/

10/15/2026

Coldwell Banker Realty - Midwest has promoted Rebecca Thomson to vice president of professional development, where she will oversee agent development and success across the United States.
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2026/10/14/coldwell-banker-promotes-rebecca-thomson-to-vp-of-professional-development/

In her previous role as regional vice president, Thomson was responsible for more than 2,000 agents in Chicago and Milwaukee. She led strategic growth initiatives and developed programs to drive agent productivity, streamline operations and foster sustainable growth.

Coldwell Banker has promoted Rebecca Thomson to VP of professional development, overseeing agent development and success across the U.S.

10/14/2026

For 12 years, transparency, candor and the ability to solve complex borrower problems have been the hallmarks of Hani Ali’s approach to mortgage lending. Consistently ranked among the top loan originators in the country, Ali leveraged his finance education to launch a successful career in the mortgage industry after graduate school.

Because of his extensive knowledge, Ali can quickly identify a client’s financial challenges so that he can tailor a solution to their unique needs. Though discussing challenges can be difficult, Ali has found that having those up-front discussions leads to a better customer relationship, which results in more successful loan closures. “I’m very transparent about the process and talk about the uncomfortable things that many lenders do not want to talk about,” he says.

Hani Ali, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending
Rate - Guaranteed Rate NMLS # 971709
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2026/hani-ali-4/

10/14/2026

Congratulations to all the finalists representing Baird & Warner in the 2026 Chicago Agents' Choice Awards! Winners will be announced Monday November 2nd!

The finalists have been announced for the Chicago Agent Magazine 2026 Agents’ Choice Awards, and we’re thrilled to share that six of our nominees have made it to the next round!

Congratulations, Alice, Patricia, Doreen, Angie, Barbara, and Greg on this well-deserved recognition.

Rookie of the Year, Suburbs
- Alice Huang, Evanston

Best Dressed
- Patricia McGowan, Oak Park/River Forest

Charitable Service Award
- Doreen Booth, Naperville

Managing Broker of the Year, Suburbs
- Angie Golembiewski, Far Northwest

Industry MVP, City
- Barbara O’Connor, Lincoln Square

Industry MVP, Suburbs
- Greg Phillips, Northwest Suburban

Our website, bairdwarner.com, is also nominated for Best Brokerage Website!

The winners will be revealed on Nov. 2, so stay tuned for results.