Baird & Warner, Illinois’ largest family-owned independent real estate services company, today announced the promotion of Kate O’Neill to vice president, sales manager of its North Center office in Chicago. O’Neill joined Baird & Warner in 2020 as a broker associate at the firm’s Lincoln Park office.
“Kate’s rapid professional trajectory from homeowner to landlord to broker to manager is a testament to her wealth of experience, passion for the industry, work ethic and leadership,” said Laura Ellis, president of residential sales and executive vice president of Baird & Warner. “As an agent, Kate utilized her relationship-building skills and passion for educating her clients to successfully navigate the housing market. Now, she uses those same skills to train and support both new and experienced agents.”
A Midwest native originally from Milwaukee, O’Neill spent time in Washington, D.C. before settling in Chicago. She has a degree in business management from American University and over a decade of business management experience prior to joining Baird & Warner.
In her new role at Baird & Warner, O’Neill will build off of her experience at the Lincoln Park office, where she excelled in training and mentoring fellow agents. As opposed to other real estate companies that allow their managers to buy and sell in competition with their agents, Baird & Warner’s managers, like O’Neill, focus entirely on the development and success of the agents in their office.
“As an independent brokerage with more than 165 years of experience, Baird & Warner allowed me to enter the real estate industry and leverage my business acumen into a position where I can help my fellow agents live the life they dream of,” said O’Neill. “The focus on taking care of your most critical asset – your people – is what sets Baird & Warner apart from its peers, and our customers notice the difference.”
An avid baker and reader, O’Neill enjoys spending her free time outside with her dog and exploring the city of Chicago.
Baird & Warner North Center has served Chicago’s northern neighborhoods for more than 25 years, including the communities of North Center, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Lakeview, Rogers Park and Edgewater.
About Baird & Warner Real Estate, Inc.:
Established in 1855, Baird & Warner is Illinois’ largest family-owned independent real estate services company. The Baird & Warner brand has been synonymous with making real estate easier through experience, innovation and integrity for more than 160 years. Steve Baird, the firm’s fifth-generation owner, has been consistently recognized among the industry’s most influential leaders. Baird & Warner has been named a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for eight years in a row. With more than 2,500 broker associates in 28 offices and comprehensive mortgage, title and relocation services, Baird & Warner ranks among the nation’s top real estate firms. In 2022, Baird & Warner received the Most Innovative Brokerage Award from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, a global network of 550 leading independent real estate firms. Learn more at BairdWarner.com.
