James is the founder and team leader of Moda Group at Compass. Hailing from the world of fine dining, hospitality is the foundation upon which James has built a thriving real estate career over the last twelve years. Spend an hour with him and you'll understand why his clients and peers rave about his authenticity, knowledge, and dedication to making the process of buying or selling a home as seamless as possible. Spend two hours with him and you’ll walk away with a list of where to get the best dishes in the best restaurants in Chicago.
James’ success as an agent is rooted in his commitment to providing each of his clients - from the first-time homebuyer to the seasoned real estate investor - with the highest level of service and attention to detail at every step in the process. By taking the time to listen to his clients and truly understand what they want and need, James is able to apply his deep knowledge of the Chicago real estate market to get them the best results possible.
James knows that it takes more than just experience to provide his clients with the highest level of service for which he has become known. And that is why he founded the Moda Group, a full-service real estate team dedicated to continually improving the client experience while leveraging the industry’s best tools to maximize the value of every real estate transaction - an approach he likes to call housepitality.
James received his BA in Marketing & Advertising from Columbia College Chicago. He was recognized as a top producer by the Chicago Association of REALTORS® in 2018 and led Moda Group to become a top producing team in 2019 and 2020.
James lives in Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood with his wife, Agnes, and is a proud father to their daughter, Stella. When he's not meeting with clients or mentoring his talented team, he's off on a culinary adventure somewhere in Chicago or halfway around the world.
Agnes brings a unique combination of academic and real-world experience to Moda Group that positions her perfectly for her role as the team’s listing and showing specialist.
Before entering the world of real estate, Agnes earned a BA in marketing from St. Xavier University. She spent years in Chicago’s top fine dining establishments and as a spokesperson representing clients like PepsiCo, Hershey’s, KitchenAid, and ESPN at trade shows. A natural communicator, Agnes loves the listing process and the opportunity to support her clients during a pivotal moment in their lives.
After a decade in the industry, Agnes has the experience to successfully guide our clients through the stressful process of staging and selling their homes. With a keen eye for detail and breadth of market experience, Agnes ensures that the preparations her clients make will garner the greatest return on investment for their sales. When she bought her first home, she had no idea what she was doing, and it felt like a soulless transaction. At Moda Group, Agnes is dedicated to making sure her clients never have the same experience!
Born in Krakow, Poland, Agnes has lived and worked in Chicago for more than 25 years and lives in Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood with her husband, James, and their beautiful daughter, Stella. When she’s not flexing her marketing muscle, Agnes is an excellent guide for all things luxury travel and dining. Whether you’re looking for an alfresco dinner in Chicago or a great place to grab a glass of wine with a view of the Tuscan countryside, Agnes has got you covered.
What do you get when you combine a teacher, a comedian and a COO?
Either the start of a really bad joke or an attentive, knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and entertaining real estate agent. In this case, we’ve got the latter. Lauren Herskovic, founding member of Moda Group at Compass and creator of the popular “Who Wants to be a Homebuyer” Trivia Night, specializes in helping first time homebuyers in Chicago.
The home-buying process is opaque, and the investment is huge, making it scary and overwhelming for first time homebuyers. But Lauren’s focus on educating her clients, constant communication, and utilizing tried and true systems, make for a seamless and (dare we say it?!) fun experience for her clients.
“Lauren was hands down the best resource we could have asked for in looking for our first condo. Not only did she guide us through the whole process smoothly, but every other resource she recommended, from inspectors to lenders to attorneys, was incredible.” - Kelly, First Time Homebuyer in Chicago
“As first time homebuyers, we really enjoyed working with Lauren. She guided us through each step of the process seamlessly, and ensured that we were comfortable and knowledgeable all along the way. Lauren was always available to answer our (many) questions and give great advice. She was also proactive in reaching out to us, rather than waiting for us to come to her, which we really appreciated.” - Kimmie, First Time Homebuyer in Chicago
Background:
Lauren grew up in suburban Detroit and now lives in Logan Square. She got a BA in English and Secondary Education from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). She then served as Editor in Chief for an online women’s magazine in NYC before working as COO for a consulting company based in Chicago, taking the company from a 3-person operation to a team of 100+ with offices in the US and China. In her free time, she plays tennis, takes pictures of her food and binge-watches Bravo withher Toy Poodle, Harvey. If you’re looking for help in finding your next home - whether you’re a first time homebuyer in Chicago or a seasoned real estate investor - call/text/email/send an owl and Lauren will help get you set on that home-buying journey!
Julia has a PhD in perseverance (or she would, if those were a thing). After graduating with a double major in Psychology and Women & Gender Studies from Ohio University, she took her passion for people and went to work as a full-time caregiver and house manager in Lincoln Park. Over the course of her five years of caring for 3 children and managing the household for their parents, Julia honed her skills in patience, organization, communication, and, most of all, negotiation. (Have you tried to negotiate with a toddler?)
All of that juggling, organizing, planning and kid-herding has positioned her perfectly for her career in Real Estate and her role on the Moda Group team.
Julia’s professionalism, her commitment to helping others, and her uncanny ability to manage multiple tasks at once are a huge asset to the clients that she serves. But it is her ability to connect with people that really sets her apart. She digs deep with her clients, really understanding their needs, wants and goals, and then works tirelessly to help them get there.
Julia is in love with the Chicago food scene and is quite possibly Sweet Mandy B’s biggest supporter. When she’s not chowing down on those cupcakes, she’s playing with her puppy, Porter.
Born & raised in the Western Suburbs of Chicago, Tiffany spent over a decade living in Bucktown and Logan Square before investing in and rehabbing a multi-unit in Humboldt Park. It was that experience - opening up walls, learning about the bones of a home and managing a property - that hooked her, drawing her away from the hospitality industry and into the clutches of Real Estate.
Tiffany’s passion is and has always been hospitality. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with degrees in Hospitality Management and Business, she went on to work for some of Chicago’s best known restaurants, such as Next and Big Star. She thrived in every position she held thanks to her unparalleled attention to detail and warm personality. These experiences also allowed her to hone the skills that are central to a Real Estate professional and an asset to every client with whom she partners: she’s the queen of multitasking in stressful situations, she has an innate understanding of what people want and need and, possibly most important, she’s an absolute pro at staying calm under pressure.
While Tiffany is fascinated with the design and architectural aspects of Chicago real estate, her joy comes from helping others, especially first-time homebuyers, find their dream homes and investment properties. Her clients quickly and fully trust that she will provide her honest opinion at every stage in the process - from their initial meeting, to their home tours, the closing table and beyond.
When Tiffany’s not advising clients on building construction and pricing strategy, she loves to travel. She strongly believes that one of the most important ways to grow as a person is by experiencing new cultures. Tiffany spent time living in Costa Rica, studying the language and culture, while also volunteering as an English teacher at an elementary school. There, she soaked in their nation’s motto, “pura vida”, which means that life is beautiful and should be lived to the fullest. She continues to adhere to that every day, and inspires those around her to do the same.
Greg grew up on the North Shore of Chicago before heading off to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he graduated with a BS in Financial Planning and minors in Business and Spanish. Upon graduating Greg moved to the city and began his career in commercial real estate, working for one of the top multifamily teams in the country.
After learning the nitty gritty investment side of real estate, Greg realized he derived the most joy from working with clients face-to-face and helping them on a more personal level so he said goodbye to his desk job and “Oh hey!” to residential Real Estate.
Greg has since represented buyers, sellers, investors, and more landlords and tenants than he can begin to count. He combines his love of real estate and relationship-building to make the home-buying or selling process as simple and enjoyable for his clients as possible. By being highly organized, communicative, and ambitious, Greg adapts to his clients’ needs and tailors the process to each individual client.
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a seasoned investor looking for the best return on your investment, Greg has the experience and the skills to get you from A to B as seamlessly as possible, while getting you the best deal (and a few stops to his favorite restaurants and bars) along the way.
When Greg isn’t eating his way through Chicago’s always-growing food scene or sipping on an espresso martini on one Chicago’s many patios (for those few weeks of good weather we get), you can find him walking his corgi Biscuit on the lakeshore path or binge watching Bravo (even though he’s already seen everything...twice).
Hannah has mastered the Spanish language, hip-hop dance and multi-tasking, and while all three of those things are pretty cool, it’s the last one that brought her to Moda Group as the team’s Director of Operations, and what keeps the team running smoothly. (But it’s the dancing that will keep us entertained during long nights in the office.)
Hailing from Springfield, OH, Hannah moved to Illinois after graduating from Miami University with a degree in Spanish and Women’s Gender & Sexuality Studies. She spent her first few years in Naperville, first in the banking industry and then getting her first taste of Real Estate while working as an Assistant Property Manager for a large apartment complex.
In that role, Hannah was required to juggle many responsibilities (and personalities!), which was a perfect intro into the fast-paced world of a top producing Real Estate team. Hannah’s organizational skills, attention to detail, impeccable handwriting, and creative approach to problem solving benefit not only the agents on the team, but all of the clients we serve.
As Moda Group’s Director of Operations, Hannah handles, well, everything! She’s Oz behind the curtain, executing systems to support the team, allowing Moda Group agents to focus more time on their clients. If our clients have a smooth, seamless transaction, it is because of the work Hannah does both behind the scenes and directly with them. We’re not quite sure how she juggles it all, but we’revery glad she does.
Hannah has recently made her way to Chicago and lives in Logan Square where she’s still getting the hang of parallel parking. While she’s settling in nicely and making her way through the endless list of bars and restaurants the rest of the team recommends, she’s hard pressed to forget her Ohio roots and, much to Lauren’s chagrin, still cheers for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Todd is a true renaissance man. When we say he can do anything, we mean anything. He knows photography, he knows nature, he knows wine, he knows hospitality, he knows homes… he even knows how to drive a zamboni! And he brings that breadth of experience and knowledge to the Moda Group and his clients as a Real Estate Broker.
Well, everything besides the zamboni part; he hasn’t needed to use that (yet!) in this role.
After graduating from Columbia College, Todd spent 16 years in the wine industry, traveling the country to visit people’s homes and assess and inventory their private cellars. He loved meeting and helping new people every day, but wanted to do something closer to home. So he leaned into another passion - mid-century homes - and got his Home Inspection license. He spent 5 years inspecting homes across the Chicagoland area, getting into every nook, cranny and sewer line. While he loved helping people with a very important step in the home buying process, Todd realized he could use that vast knowledge of home construction to provide even more value as a Real Estate Broker. And he was right! It is that knowledge, paired with his strong work ethic, laser-focused attention to detail, and genuinely caring nature make him an incredible advocate for his clients.
Todd lives in Oak Park with his son, Henry, where he spends his time cooking, shooting and developing black and white film, and buying/selling mid-century furniture. When he’s not there, he’s off on a hiking and camping adventure, probably cooking up something tasty on a campfire.
If you want to be the best, you have to learn from the best, and that means it can’t get much better than Vita Pavlyuk. Before joining the Moda Group, Vita spent nearly five years at Compass as an Agent Experience Manager, supporting Chicago’s top and most respected agents in their day-to-day operations. They not only inspired her to become an agent herself but also taught her everything she needed to be the best agent and advocate for her clients.
In addition to her inside-out and upside-down knowledge of Real Estate, Vita's bachelor's degree in Psychology from Illinois State (Go Redbirds!) equips her with a unique ability to connect with people on a deeper level, understand their specific needs, and guide them through the emotional aspects of Real Estate transactions. We often joke that our job is one part Real Estate and 5 parts Therapist… and Vita’s got what it takes to handle it all.
Vita was born in Ukraine and moved to Chicago at the age of six. She spent most of her childhood in Downers Grove and later moved to the city, where she has lived in various neighborhoods including Lincoln Park, Streeterville, and Gold Coast. Currently, she calls Bucktown (and, more specifically, Club Lucky) home. Vita's intimate knowledge of these neighborhoods and the western suburbs, along with her love for exploring the city's diverse communities, makes her a local expert who can guide clients to their ideal location. And her bi-lingual proficiency in English and Ukrainian broadens her ability to connect with a diverse clientele.
As an avid foodie, Vita loves seeking out new restaurants, exploring Chicago’s street festivals, and discovering new local breweries. In her downtime, you can often find her binge-watching her favorite shows, relaxing on a sunny patio, or walking the 606 trail with her dog, Bentley.
Leslie brings a wealth of knowledge and corporate insight to the Chicago real estate scene. After growing up in Evergreen Park on the southwest side of Chicago, Leslie attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she earned a degree in Marketing from the College of Business. After graduation, Leslie spent 8.5 years in corporate roles where she gained a wide span of leadership experience in sales, marketing, general management, and operations.
As a current resident of Wicker Park, Leslie's firsthand experience as a landlord and with home renovations has fostered a nuanced perspective on property management and the intricacies of home ownership and the real estate landscape. Her deep understanding of the care and love a home needs helps guide her clients before, during, and after their home buying or selling process.
Recognized for a client-focused and detail-oriented approach, Leslie prioritizes transparency and effective communication, ensuring that clients are well-informed and empowered throughout their real estate journey. With a genuine passion for helping others achieve their real estate goals, Leslie is dedicated to providing a seamless and enriching experience, tailored to each client's unique needs.
When Leslie is not helping her clients find their dream homes, you can usually find her at a concert or working her way through the “Best Burgers in Chicago” list (for the millionth time). Her #1 (for now, at least)? Gretel in Logan Square.
Compass
2350 N Lincoln Ave
Ste 3 Chicago, IL 60614
Moda Group
