Jenn Quader

Jenn leads Team Smart, spearheading the agency’s innovative PR, content, and marketing strategies to deliver bottom line results to many of the most significant CRE, retail and finance companies in the U.S.

A veteran communicator, Jenn has worked across a wide variety of CRE sectors, including retail, brokerage, development, capital markets, debt and structured finance, asset and property management, fund management, and construction, among others. Her experience spans multifamily, retail, office, and industrial product.

Jenn holds a master’s degree in global communications and honed her skills working on behalf of major national and international companies including Fox/MGM Entertainment, Ford Motor Company, Michelin, and Mazda, among others.

She has served as an Executive Board Member and Chapter Director for Commercial Real Estate Women, Orange County (CREW-OC) and a featured speaker for IREM, the Commercial Real Estate Lending Conference (CRELC), and the OC Marketing & Advertising Association.

Jenn recently gave a TEDx Talk in Paris, France on the topic of resilience. See it on YouTube here. She is the co-host of Resiliency the Podcast – tune in here.

Renee Gibson-Milch

A former advertising account executive and experienced sales representative for over a decade at a Fortune-500 publisher, Renee brings a unique depth of business knowledge and a wealth of professional finesse to Team Smart.

As Vice President, Operations, she wears many professional hats. Renee oversees human resources, supervises office culture, and orchestrates and directs all company events. She supervises Client invoicing processes and consults on New Business endeavors.

In addition, she manages relationships with a myriad of business partners and vendors, and drives company processes forward to ensure Client goals are met and expectations exceeded.

Renee earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and graduated with academic honors receiving the ‘Chancelor’s Marshal’ award from the University of California, Los Angeles. Go Bruins!

Elisabeth Manville

Elisabeth leads strategic communications programs for Clients across the commercial real estate, finance, and professional services industries. With a deep background in B2B public relations and over eight years of experience, Elisabeth specializes in media relations, brand messaging, content strategy, and integrated marketing communications.

Before joining The Smart Agency, Elisabeth built her career at several top-tier agencies, where she developed and executed campaigns for national and global brands. She’s particularly skilled at turning complex industry insights into compelling stories that drive visibility, build credibility, and deliver real business results.

Elisabeth holds a Master’s degree in Media and Public Relations from Newcastle University in the UK and a B.A. in Journalism and History from California State University, Long Beach. Known for her sharp communication skills, collaborative spirit, and strategic mindset, she’s a trusted advisor to Clients and a core member of Team Smart.

Sophia Reznicek

Sophia is a seasoned communications strategist and licensed California Realtor  with expertise spanning corporate communications, media relations, and real estate investment.

Her professional acumen was honed at global financial services company, Experian and global real estate giant, Coldwell Banker Realty.

Today, Sophia leads strategy and storytelling for many of The Smart Agency’s prestigious Clients, working across major national commercial real estate companies investing in industrial, office, retail, multifamily and alt property types.

Sophia holds a degree in Public Relations and Communications from California State University, Fullerton. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is committed to continuous learning and traveling the world with her family.

Arleeny Escarcega

Arleeny is an experienced and bilingual PR, social media and communications strategist specializing in commercial real estate, retail and finance Clients throughout the United States.

With a professional background in event planning, graphic design and marketing, Arleeny began her work in the public sector, supporting press and social media initiatives for the County of Orange and a local non-profit organization.

Today, she draws upon her talents to craft compelling content and media strategies that help drive Client business goals forward.

With experience spanning retail, brokerage, investment, development, and others, Arleeny delivers strong strategic media relations, content, and marketing skills to The Smart Agency’s Clients.

Arleeny holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from California State University, Fullerton.

Samantha Chagollan

Sam is a gifted storyteller, author, and corporate communications strategist with deep expertise crafting compelling narratives for Clients across the finance and commercial real estate sector.

Sam spent nearly a decade building her skills in financial services marketing as a strategist with SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. Prior to that, she directed more than 40 books from concept to publication with Walter Foster Publishing.

Today, Sam delivers thoughtful strategy and bottom-line results to The Smart Agency’s clients across commercial real estate finance, construction, and investment strategies including industrial, flex/R&D, retail, multifamily, office and alt property types.

Sam holds a B.A. in English Literature from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt and a Certificate of Marketing from the University of California, Irvine (UCI).

Vivian Liu

A driven and passionate professional, Vivian is known for her authentic storytelling and ability to create meaningful opportunities for companies across commercial real estate, finance, and non-profit sectors.

Vivian’s professional background in strategic media relations across entertainment, technology, public affairs, and real estate enables her to deliver creative and impactful results for The Smart Agency’s Clients across a wide variety of investment strategies, including multifamily and affordable housing, office, mixed-use, industrial, retail, and nonprofit sectors.

Before joining The Smart Agency, Vivian worked at a woman- and minority-owned public relations agency in Hollywood where she formed strategic relationships with influencers, top-tier brands, elected and appointed officials, and other diverse organizations throughout the U.S.

Vivian holds a degree in Communication and Media Studies from California State University, Long Beach, with a minor in Photography.

Alyse Kiekenapp

Alyse is an accomplished social media strategist and content marketing expert with a decade of professional experience spanning several top-tier marketing agencies and ecommerce companies.

This work carved Alyse’s deep expertise in digital storytelling, brand engagement, and B2B communications strategies.

For The Smart Agency, Alyse guides the vision and strategy for Clients across institutional fund management, capital markets and finance, brokerage, property management, and investment spanning multifamily, industrial, office, retail and alt investment products.

She is recognized for her innovative approach to social media management, leveraging data-driven strategies to optimize campaign performance and achieve Client objectives.

Alyse holds a degree in Journalism and PR from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Allison Walton

Allison is a web designer and developer with over 15 years of professional experience across diverse industries.

With a background in advertising and marketing, she brings a unique and versatile skill set to Team Smart, delivering creative solutions that help businesses grow.

Allison is the Lead Web Developer for Team Smart and an expert in the WordPress Content Management System.  She has a proven ability to consistently identify the technological needs of our Clients and deliver results-driven website solutions that engage the user and enhance the brand.

Allison holds a B.A. in Advertising and Multimedia Design from Pepperdine University, and a professional certificate in Integrated Online Strategies from University of San Francisco.

Richie Watts

Richie is a gifted artist, illustrator, animator, and graphic designer, blending deep imagination with thoughtful strategic communications expertise.

For The Smart Agency, he creates a wide variety of creative elements to support the visual storytelling and strategic communications of companies across a range of sectors, including institutional fund management, development, investment, capital markets and finance, brokerage, construction, and property management, among others.

Richie is also a creative contributor to The Smart Agency. His unique research-based personality workplace theory entitled Your Brain Inc. was featured in the Agency’s SmartSpeech series. (Watch it here.)

Prior to joining The Smart Agency, Richie honed his design skills in narrative illustration working for creative content producer Auntie LouLou, Inc.

Richie holds a degree from Weber State University and studied animation, graphic design, and interactive technology at Brigham Young University.

Jaz Burke

Jaz is a highly adaptable administrative professional, driving efficiency and excellence across all of The Smart Agency’s daily business functions.

A trusted point of continuity for Team Smart, Jaz harnesses deep organizational skills and a perpetual positive demeanor to support the team across internal processes and cross-department workflows.

Jaz is also a creative contributor to The Smart Agency. Her unique research-based personality workplace theory entitled Your Brain Inc. was featured in the Agency’s SmartSpeech series. (Watch it here.)

Prior to joining The Smart Agency, Jaz worked as a teacher in K-9 education, where she cultivated her ability to combine structure and creativity within a collaborative work environment. She attended Weber State University with a focus on childhood education and arts learning.

Jennie Sumampong

Jennie is a trusted administrative professional with nearly a decade of professional experience across real estate, communications, and financial services.

For The Smart Agency, she seamlessly blends precise organizational accuracy with a warm, collaborative spirit to keep everyone on track, informed, and supported.

Prior to joining The Smart Agency, Jennie honed her skills in business operations support with a diverse range of companies, including a global telecommunications provider, a national mortgage lender, a regional insurance provider, and a local Jewish community center.

Jennie holds a degree in Mass Communication from Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Griffin

Griffin brings a FUR-ocious focus to The Smart Agency’s Clients.

As head of Pup-lick Relations, he oversees all treat-related communications with internal and external audiences.

Griffin’s professional background includes eight years of experience patrolling the office halls, handling pesky lunch leftovers, and inspiring the team with gentle nudges.

A winner of the “Most Persistent Pitbull/Chihuahua” award, Griffin teaches us all that ‘he who asks enough times ends up with the bone.’