Meet our team
Susan Mender -- I wanted to just have my bio say LOVER, but my team vetoed me because people would make it weird. But I have been accused of loving everything. I love people and I love houses and I love teaching and I love math. Real Estate seems like a perfect blend of all my loves. I love helping guide people through these sometimes stressful transactions with the overall goal of hearing, "Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy." And I know it is poison, but I love a diet Dr. Pepper. Sorry not sorry.
Sarah Verpooten -- Lover of rescue dogs, Harry Potter and a good Dr. Pepper. I've never met a human I didn't want to hug, but you know, Covid. I got into real estate because I really care for people and want to help them through the biggest purchase of their lives. With ::ahem:: 19 ::ahem:: years of teaching behind me, I love to walk people through a new process and make sure they understand every step of buying or selling a home.
Betty Samples -- As a second generation realtor, I have seen the power of real estate my entire life. After spending the beginning of my career in education, I came back to my roots in real estate because I have a passion to help everyone experience the life changing impact of homeownership. I’m here to take the guesswork out of buying or selling all while keeping transactions successful and as low-stress as possible. I'm a podcast and coffee junkie who loves to cheer on my kids at their games, tackle DIY projects at my own house and take walks with my husband and dog.
Clark St. John - I am excited to be part of Listing Leaders, and Listing Leaders MVPs in particular. Just a little bit about me… I have lived in “The Region” since I was 3 years old. I have lived in Griffith, Schererville, Hammond, Crown Point and Dyer. I enjoy family, friends, golf, the Bears, the Cubs, and Purdue. I owned a business in Highland for many years, and I still own a business- my real estate business. It is my goal to help you, keep you informed during every step of the transaction, and hopefully turn that transaction into a friendship. I’m not in real estate to see how many houses I can sell, but to do my best to help clients achieve their goals. By the way, I like Dr. Pepper, but my go-to is Coca-Cola!
Lisa Blocker - I’m always up for fun and adventure and that includes real estate. Meeting with new buyers and sellers feeds my extroverted soul. My second love is sports, whether that is coaching, watching my kids compete, cheering live or on TV (Go Cubs Go) or playing any chance I get. It’s who I am. Caring for the vulnerable is my family’s passion, along with intentionally being in relationship with our friends and family, even Sox fans … my husband. I am looking forward to being a part of your team and coaching you through your real estate goals. Call me to help with your buying, selling or investing and we will Fly the W.
Michael Elkmann - I’m ready to make your real estate dreams come true, whether you're selling your beloved home or searching for your perfect property. What sets me apart? It's my unwavering commitment to you. I put your needs and preferences first. When you work with me, you're not just getting a business partner who will hustle tirelessly for you—you're gaining a friend who will have your back to the end and be communicative and responsive throughout the entire process. My creativity and expertise in negotiations ensure you get the best deal and the most successful outcome. Plus, as a die-hard Cubs fan, I bring the same passion and energy to winning for you as I do supporting the best baseball team in Chicago. When I'm not working, you can find me spending quality time with my son, hiking the dunes, enjoying live music, or exploring the local food scene. Let's make your real estate journey fun, memorable, and successful. Reach out today, and let's get started on this exciting adventure together!
Jennifer Chapman - Imagine embarking on your real estate adventure with someone who loves helping people find their dream homes just as much as their three Labradors love belly rubs—that’s me! With a passion for helping people and a home full of wagging tails, I bring warmth and dedication to every transaction. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a savvy investor, or ready to sell, I’m here to make your real estate experience as smooth and enjoyable as a walk in the park with my Labs—minus the squirrel chases. Living with three lively Labs has taught me the importance of finding a home that fits everyone, furry friends included. Let’s team up to find your perfect place, filled with personalized solutions and a bit of fun along the way. Let’s make your real estate dreams come true!
Jarmel Williams - Gary, Indiana born and raised, in the playground was where I spent most of my days! Though I've been all over since (Hammond, Miller, Merrillville, etc.) I grew up in a loving community of people who looked after one another. The impact this had on my upbringing is the reason I'm the driven, creative and positive force I am today. To know me, is to know how much I love a good story, heavily investing into every character and their journey. It’s the same loving and attentive approach I take to making new connections, being knowledgeable in an evolving industry and every transaction. So whether it’s your debut move or trilogy, trust I've got your back from the preroll to the end credits. I'm looking forward to being a part of your story!
Renee Jackson - Hello! Lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana here! I specialize in residential buying and selling in LaPorte, Lake, and Porter counties specifically. Many of my clients become friends, a testament to the trust and rapport we build together. When I'm not busy being a home matchmaker for you, I love to spend quality time with my family! Whether it's hiking the trails or enjoying a beach day at the Dunes, or cheering on my boys at their sports games, these moments recharge and inspire me to bring my best to my work. I take pride in offering guidance and unwavering support. Let's make your real estate journey enjoyable and fulfilling!
Isabella Sanchez - Most people call me Bella, your go-to real estate guru here in Northwest Indiana! I graduated from Chesterton High School, and began my real estate career first thing! Beyond my passion for matching buyers with their dream homes and helping sellers maximize their property's potential, I bring a unique blend of creativity and dedication to the table. I'm also a coffee connoisseur, piano virtuoso (or so I like to think), and a portrait-painting enthusiast. When I'm not crunching numbers or sealing deals, you can find me exploring the local hiking trails or at the beach enjoying sushi while watching the sunset. I'm also a die-hard fan of Twilight—can you guess if I am Team Edward or Team Jacob? (Team Edward obviously.) I am very dedicated to helping our community reach their goals, whether it's finding their dream home, assisting with the sale of their current property, facilitating smooth relocations, or guiding empty nesters through the process of downsizing. Let's chat about your real estate dreams over a cup of coffee!
Sue Matthysse - It is my privilege to be a real estate agent and as well as the Wow Coordinator for Listing Leaders Team MVP. Previous to these awesome jobs my work experience includes being the owner of South Shore Next Door Photos - real estate photography company, director of MomsNation at Faith Church and team leader for several international mission trips. I’m passionate about Jesus and serving people and I'm excited to join you in your real estate journey. Life is full of things that bring me joy but being married to a musician, the mom of three really cool teens, traveling, soaking up the sunshine and eating dark chocolate top my list!
Kevin Rawls - I am very excited to join the Listing Leaders MVP Team. A little insight on me, I have lived in Crown Point and have been employed with NiSource since 2008. I have been married for 22 years, have 2 children, 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 bearded dragons. So you could say I am an animal lover! I love sports, especially watching my children play football, basketball and lacrosse. I belong to Life Well Church in Winfield and play drums in the praise band. I look forward to building relationships and helping people find the home of their dreams!
Neil Csonka - From my days in the Marines to managing teams, I’ve spent the last 20 years helping people tackle tough challenges. As a Northwest Indiana native with expertise in Lake and Porter counties, I make buying or selling a home easy and stress-free. With a commitment to old-school customer service and the Marine Corps motto, ‘Semper Fidelis’ (‘Always Faithful’), you’ll gain a friend and Realtor for life. When I’m not working, you can find me spending time with my family, enjoying the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, or at a live music show. I look forward to working together on your next home journey!
At Listing Leaders MVPs, we know you want to make savvy market decisions, but where to begin?
An MVP agent will walk you through the entire process, introduce you to reliable professionals, and always make sure you know what happens next. We love answering your questions and will go out of our way to be up front, friendly and helpful throughout your journey.
When you work with a Listing Leaders MVP agent, you get someone who is invested in you and finding the best way forward toward your real estate goals. We love to get to know our clients and keep them as friends. In case you couldn’t tell already, our hearts are all in on this business.
Your journey starts with a quick, 15 minute intro call. We’ll try to get some information about your goals and share some of ours as well.
Let’s walk the road home together.
Are you an MVP?
Are you picking up what we’re putting down? Do you focus on collaboration, cooperation and self growth? Are you an agent or thinking about becoming one? Click here for information about what it takes to be an MVP.