Travel Spotlight: San Francisco
San Francisco was the setting for Sotheby's International Realty's 50th anniversary Global Networking Event, and my fourth GNE!
Since my first GNE in 2019, familiar faces have become friends. I call and I refer clients to these trusted colleagues, and I genuinely look forward to seeing regularly. Reconnecting with agents from across the country and around the world made this milestone gathering especially meaningful.
The week was filled with memorable experiences, including a mansion tour hosted by SF local Mary Lou Castellanos; a city hike lead by SF native Carrie Goodman; a wonderful boat cruise on the Bay hosted by the San Francisco office and a lively dinner with some great New York agents. Each was another reminder that the relationships we build through Sotheby's extend well beyond real estate.
The grand finale was the spectacular black-tie celebration at San Francisco City Hall. The building itself is extraordinary, but seeing it filled with colleagues from around the globe made the evening truly unforgettable. GNE is always a whirlwind, very much like film festivals and markets from my previous career! So many people to see, conversations to squeeze in, events to attend, and never quite enough time.
This year's gathering was particularly significant as our first GNE under Compass International Holdings, opening an exciting new chapter of expanded connections, resources, and opportunities to better serve our clients.
Real estate may be local, but the relationships and opportunities are truly global.
I returned home with new introductions, renewed friendships, and a fresh appreciation for the extraordinary global network I'm fortunate to be part of. After all, real estate may be local, but the relationships and opportunities are truly global.
More from the trip on Instagram: @lissa_lebel.
Around the Table: Balboa Cafe
One of my favorite moments in San Francisco was lunch at the classic Balboa Café, suggested by our San Francisco native and California Collective member Carrie Goodman.
Happy to report our small but mighty California Collective group enjoyed the famous Balboa deviled eggs!
I brought this group together three years ago, and it has given me far more than I could have anticipated: thoughtful colleagues, generous exchanges, and friendships that have grown well beyond our regular calls.
With members spread across California, time together in person is precious. Over lunch, we caught up on our markets and our lives—the kinds of conversations that are harder to fit into a Zoom meeting.
California Collective
I'm delighted to welcome Deborah Greenspan to the California Collective, bringing her La Jolla expertise to our statewide circle.
Deborah began her real estate career in San Francisco before building her practice in Southern California, a fitting connection for a group that brings together local knowledge from across the state.
I've kept the Collective intentionally small. I want to know the people I recommend: how they communicate, how they solve problems, and how they care for their clients.
For anyone considering a move elsewhere in California, those personal relationships give us a useful place to begin.
californiacollectiverealestate.com
Thank You!
Thank you for spending a little time with me. If you have a move on your mind - or a restaurant, neighborhood, or upcoming outing you think I'd enjoy - I'd love to hear from you.
Until next season,
Lissa
More from the Fall 2026 newsletter: Fall 2026 Los Angeles Market Update and An Angeleno's Shortlist: Schindler and the Moon & Chiang Rai.