
The Foundation of Excellence
Lux Exclusives is built on a simple principle. Excellence is not claimed, it is upheld through every interaction, every relationship, and every decision made within the platform.
From leadership to advisory to technology, each layer is intentionally designed to support a more refined, more controlled, and more elevated experience.
This is not a standard that is introduced. It is one that is consistently maintained.
Advisory Leadership
A carefully selected group of advisors brings depth, perspective, and discretion to Lux Exclusives. Each operates at the highest levels of their respective fields, contributing insight that shapes the platform with intention.
Their collective experience spans real estate, technology, law, wealth strategy, and luxury markets, ensuring that every aspect of Lux Exclusives is guided by expertise, not assumption.

John Eric
Privacy & Data Governance Advisor
With extensive expertise in privacy, data governance, and GDPR compliance, John brings strategic insight and discretion shaped by decades in media, politics, and global luxury real estate. He advises clients with integrity and precision, ensuring ethical data practices and trusted representation across international markets.

Robert "Bob" Grigsby
Family Office Advisor
Bob is a trusted figure in the family office world with extensive experience advising high net worth families and investment groups. He has guided multi generational wealth through complex decisions involving investment strategy growth planning and relationship development. Bob is known for his ability to create meaningful connections that open doors to valuable networks. His insight strengthens our approach to serving family offices and private investors. He adds a relationship driven perspective to our advisory team.

Robert "Bob" Tablak
Software & Operations Advisor
Bob brings more than forty years of experience in software databases and business operations. He has built and led multiple companies while advising executives on technology strategy and organizational growth. Known for his practical approach he helps teams make smart decisions that support long term scale. He blends technical understanding with decades of real world leadership. Bob adds steady operational insight as we grow.

Shannon McCoy
Yacht Advisor
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Shannon learned to love the water at a young age. She was surrounded by water in one of the most beautiful boating destinations in the world. Once boating was in her blood, she knew that this was something that everyone in life should experience. Shannon specializes in yacht ownership through charter and truly enjoys the educating part of the charter and purchase experience. She believes that private yacht charter is the perfect introduction to those who wish to learn more about yacht ownership. Shannon has built a solid reputation amongst her clients and industry peers and is known as one of the industry’s best who is truly committed to her clients for the long term. Taking a team approach with clients wanting to purchase or sell a yacht, she is able to secure the best deal possible with the quickest turn around. Some of Shannon’s most notable sales include MINE GAMES, the 203’ Benetti, now called LUMIERE, HAMPSHIRE I, the 185’ Feadship now called AMBITION and SOTAVENTO, a 164’ Benetti. In Shannon’s personal time (when not boating), she can be found working on community nonprofit initiatives. Shannon serves on the Board for the Selfless Love Foundation and believes in giving back to her community with the focus on children in foster care, children’s education, and making sure that every child has a forever family. Additionally, she leads the committee for the annual yacht event “Waterway Soiree”, a charity event to benefit the Children’s Diagnostic Treatment Center (a division of Broward Health) which was started in 2015. To learn more, please visit BeSelfless.org. Shannon’s knowledge of the yachting industry makes her the perfect choice when contemplating a private yacht vacation, yacht purchase, or to sell your yacht. Her level of professionalism and service has made her one of the most trusted and notable brokers in the industry.

Stefanie Couch
Marketing Brand Advisor
Stefanie Couch is the Founder of Grit Blueprint, a visibility and growth company with a clear promise: We Build Unmistakable Brands. With deep roots in the building and construction industry and a broader track record across legacy businesses, she advises founders, executives, and companies on brand, media, positioning, thought leadership, and strategic growth. Stefanie helps leaders and organizations clarify what makes them matter, strengthen their market presence, and build the systems that amplify trust. Her work spans personal brands, executive visibility, founder-led companies, and business brands. By blending brand strategy, media, AI, and sales enablement, she helps clients stand out in a changing world and turn credibility into momentum. She is also a speaker and media voice known for leading sharp conversations around visibility, leadership, innovation, and the future of legacy industries. Through speaking, podcasting, and event media, she helps shape how businesses and leaders show up in the market and stay relevant as the world changes. As an advisor, she brings sharp market insight, practical judgment, and a builder’s mindset. She sees what others miss, simplifies complexity, and helps organizations move with greater clarity, relevance, and confidence.
Founding Members
A carefully selected group of founding members defines the standard of Lux Exclusives.
Each operates at the highest levels of their market, bringing a rare combination of discretion, insight, and trusted relationships. Their influence extends beyond transactions, shaping how opportunity is accessed, presented, and experienced.
Spanning key luxury markets across the world, they represent a level of expertise and perspective that cannot be replicated, only recognized.

Allison Richards
30A, Florida
Principal of The Richards Group at Compass 30A, Allison leads a dynamic team that has executed over $345 million in real estate transactions in just 4.5 years. Recognized as a top-producing agent and team leader, The Richards Group 30A has been named the #1 Cømpass small team for the past three years. The Richards Group has also been recognized in the top 1% of all sales agents in Northern Florida and is ranked by sales volume in the top 6% of all small teams in Florida. Has earned numerous accolades including "Entrepreneur of the Year," "Shortest Days on Market," and "Highest Average List-To-Sales Price." Her 25 years of experience, interior design expertise, and sophisticated staging capabilities set her apart, achieving nearly 90% list-to-sale price ratios. Allison holds designations including CLHMS, GRI, ABR, and E-Pro, and serves on REALM panels focusing on secondary markets, borderless migration patterns, and AI/technology in real estate marketing.

Ann Dolan
San Miguel, Mexico
Ann Dolan is a renowned Global Luxury Real Estate Advisor at CDR San Miguel | Forbes Global Properties, bringing over 30 years of in-depth local knowledge and an unwavering dedication to her clients. She is a Founding Partner and Advisory Board Member of REALM Global, an invitation-only network uniting the top 1% of real estate agents worldwide. Known for cultivating deeply personal relationships, Ann often counts her clients among lifelong friends. Having witnessed San Miguel de Allende’s transformation over the decades, she possesses a rare, authentic understanding of the town’s unique charm and enduring allure. In 1995, Ann co-founded Casas de San Miguel, the region’s first full-service real estate agency, marking the start of a remarkable career in luxury real estate. After successfully selling the firm in 2000, she focused on her family while remaining deeply connected to the community and the real estate industry. Ann is admired for her integrity, warmth, and passion for introducing others to the town’s vibrant Mexican lifestyle. Her lifestyle platform, San Miguel Life, which she co-founded, celebrates the culture, beauty, and people of the region while highlighting the causes and organizations she actively supports. (sanmiguellife.com) Ann’s influence includes and extends beyond real estate. She currently serves on the Chancellor’s Advisory Board at Texas Christian University. Her past board service includes six years on the CPA Board at Culver Academies in Indiana and over eight years on the Advisory Board of José Vasconcelos, a bilingual, bicultural school in San Miguel that profoundly shaped her children’s lives. Whether guiding a buyer to the perfect home or ensuring a seamless sale, Ann approaches every relationship with insight, heart, and professionalism—always keeping her clients’ best interests at the center. Ann enjoys traveling, entertaining, and spending meaningful time with family and friends. She resides with her husband on a ranch just outside San Miguel de Allende.

Jean Merkelbach
Lake Tahoe, California & Reno, Nevada
Jean Merkelbach is a powerful leader in luxury real estate whose career is marked by her fierce loyalty and commitment to her clients, with keen negotiating and decision-making skills and a true passion for real estate. Jean has long cultivated the competitive strengths and skills that enable her to meet the expectations of the sophisticated buyers and sellers she represents. A forty-year real estate veteran, Jean's successful career includes being recognized by The Wall Street Journal as both the top producing agent at Lake Tahoe and in the state of Nevada, as well as 46th in the nation. She consistently ranks among the top 20 agents for Engel & Völkers in the Americas. Her commitment to give back to the community includes initiating programs such as Community Service Day, Adopt-A-Family, The Teachers Fund, and Give Back Homes - a community of real estate professionals committed to creating social change by helping build homes for deserving families around the globe. Jean has served on the Board of Directors for the Reno Tahoe International Film Festival, Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Jean is the Corporate Broker for Engel & Völkers in Northern Nevada, whose Lake Tahoe office was the first Engel & Völkers shop to open in the region. Jean is notably only one of a small number of Engel & Völkers brokers to achieve the designation of Private Office Advisor.

John Eric
DMV & London
John Eric is a Californian by birth, a Washingtonian by choice, and a Londoner at heart. Raised in Los Angeles, he entered media early through his family’s publishing company before moving into politics, where he worked on a winning presidential campaign, the Presidential Inaugural Committee, and within an administration—building expertise in negotiation, strategy, and discretion. He later transitioned into national media across TV, radio, and print, sharpening his marketing and brand strategy skills before moving seamlessly into luxury real estate. For more than two decades, he has advised clients in Washington, DC’s most elite markets, holding senior roles at Sotheby’s, Washington Fine Properties, and now Compass as a founding agent, Executive Vice President, and Senior Advisor. Known for confidentiality, precision, and white-glove service, he represents high-net-worth individuals, political leaders, athletes, and media figures. Internationally, John is Director of The Luxury Collective UK, a London-based firm serving American and global buyers seeking U.S.-style fiduciary representation and market intelligence. He also publishes John Eric Home & Lifestyle magazine and hosts The Property Diplomat podcast, with features in major outlets including The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. A frequent speaker, he offers insights on global markets, cross-border investment, and the evolving needs of affluent clients. When not advising clients, John enjoys family time, supports pet adoption, plays tennis, explores global cuisine, and travels widely.

Kelly Swanson
Portugal & Marbella Spain
Founder and CEO of KeyS Global Real Estate based in Quinta do Lago, Portugal, Kelly is a distinguished international luxury real estate professional with nearly 30 years of global experience. Having traveled to over 70 countries across all seven continents, Kelly brings unparalleled cross-cultural expertise and has facilitated the sale of hundreds of millions of dollars in property worldwide. She was elected to serve on the World Council of Brokers for the International Real Estate Federation, contributing to global real estate practices and industry collaboration. Kelly has held multiple designations (GRI, CIPS, RSPS, ABR, ePro, SFR, AHWD, CSW) and maintains operations between Portugal & Spain (specializing in Lisbon/Cascais, the Algarve, Comporta, and Marbella) and Hawaii (Maui), focusing on ultra-high-net-worth clients, family offices, and Golden Visa opportunities.

Lisa Janisch
Minnesota & Wisconsin
Founder and Broker of Janisch Realty, Lisa brings nearly two dozen years of real estate expertise combined with a unique background as a fifth-generation carpenter and former construction superintendent who oversaw a $500M international project. She founded her firm in 2012 to create a real estate experience that was customer relationship centric and data-driven, a community of clients who feel extremely valued and treated with consideration. A licensed pilot and the first female carpenter in the Iron Range Union, Lisa serves on the Minnesota Association of Realtors Professional Standards Committee and exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and operational excellence we value.

Lynda Hester
Lake Burton, Georgia
Lynda Hester is a billion dollar producer with 48 years of proven performance in Georgia’s most coveted lake markets. Based in Rabun County with Rabun Realty, she is the trusted authority for luxury and niche properties on Lake Burton, Lake Rabun, and Waterfall at Lake Burton. Lynda’s track record spans record price listings, discreet off market placements, and meticulous contract execution that delivers clean, on time closings. A former chair of the Georgia Association of REALTORS PAC and a past state director of the Rabun County Board of REALTORS, she is recognized for leadership that elevates industry standards while advocating for her community. Licensed in Georgia since 1978 under number 85751, she brings disciplined valuation, polished negotiation, and a client first approach shaped by hundreds of successful transactions. Colleagues and clients describe her as calm under pressure, optimistic, and relentless about outcomes. Her counsel blends hard won market intelligence with genuine care, turning complex decisions into confident moves and ensuring every detail is handled with precision.

Magnus Jennemyr
Miami, Florida
A global real estate broker specializing in exclusive luxury residential and commercial properties across South Florida’s Gold Coast. As the only Engel & Völkers Private Office Advisor in Miami-Dade and Monroe County, he ranks among the top producing brokers nationwide. Before moving to Miami in 2002, Magnus spent 15 years in London working in finance, venture capital, and technology infrastructure. He focused on funding, incubation, business process management, and marketing strategies for emerging tech companies, partnering with firms such as Morgan Stanley, NetScreen, Juniper Networks, Megisto Systems, and Tekever. This foundation in global finance and technology uniquely positioned him to navigate Florida’s fast-moving real estate markets. In 2008, he became Managing Broker for Pointe Group Realty, overseeing statewide commercial assets and completing more than $150 million in transactions before the company’s acquisition by Colliers International in 2014. In 2015, Magnus founded Select Realty Group, a boutique firm serving an international clientele with tailored advisory. After joining Engel & Völkers in 2018, he became a License Partner in 2020 and opened his Coconut Grove shop. Today, he is a trusted advisor to family and multifamily offices, prominent executives, athletes, and celebrities from Key West to Palm Beach. Magnus has closed more than $850 million in real estate for private and institutional clients. Known for discretion, deep market knowledge, and long-term relationships, he continues to build his business through referrals, personal endorsements, and proven results.

Malia Cox Nobrega
Vail, Colorado
Malia Cox Nobrega is a leading real estate advisor in the Vail Valley, known for meticulous attention to detail, exceptional client care, uncompromising integrity, thoughtful candor, and rare intelligence. One of the top-producing agents in the region, she consistently ranks among the top 5 producing agents and has held the No. 1 position. She is currently No. 20 in Colorado and No. 262 in the United States, placing her within the top 300 producing agents nationwide and among the Top 100 Sotheby’s International Realty agents or teams worldwide. Her record-setting achievements include repeatedly topping the highest priced sales for a given year and establishing benchmark prices in multiple towns and neighborhoods across the valley. For her, these accolades are not the target, but a natural result of putting service, honesty, and client interests first. A Vail Valley local with a business degree and a top-of-class law degree, Malia is recognized as a foremost authority on high-end new construction spec homes while also representing buyers and sellers in legacy homes, redevelopment opportunities, and turnkey residences. As a broker with LIV Sotheby’s International Realty and an active member of Realm Global, she connects her clients to one of the most powerful luxury networks in the world, collaborating with elite agents across brands and markets. Her background in law, property management, and construction, combined with advanced digital and AI-driven tools, allows her to identify value, anticipate risk, and create sophisticated marketing that resonates with discerning buyers. She measures success by doing what is right for her clients and treating them the way she would want others to treat her own family, even when that means giving guidance that may not benefit her financially in the short term. *The ranking data is based upon RealTrends & The Thousand & RealTrends’ Verified as well as their legacy designations. This is the most respected source for agent rankings.

Megan Mitchum
Des Moines, Iowa
Founder of Megan Mitchum + CO, Megan is a leading luxury real estate expert serving the greater Des Moines market. Her portfolio includes some of the area's most prestigious properties, with listings regularly exceeding $1-4 million. Megan's market expertise and client-focused approach have established her as a trusted advisor for luxury residential real estate throughout Central Iowa.

Nick Green
New York & Boston
Nick Green connects real estate, lifestyle, and opportunity across New York, Miami, and Boston with a results first approach. He specializes in luxury and Sports and Entertainment clientele, pairing an investor mindset with market fluency to uncover value and deliver with precision and discretion. With more than ten years of New York City sales experience, Nick knows the neighborhoods and the personalities, negotiates for the best possible outcome, and manages every detail so the process stays clear and stress free.

Paul Benson
Park City, Utah
Co-founder and CEO of Engel & Völkers Gestalt Group, operates 55 offices across Utah, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, and Idaho. He represents the most exclusive real estate and works with some of the most well-known clients in the world. With his extensive reach in global marketing and local market expertise, he has built the ultimate cross-marketing platform to showcase exceptional homes to the clients who will appreciate them the most. Paul has been regularly ranked the #1 agent in Utah for sales volume, and total career sales of over 3,000 transactions, and $2.8 billion in closed sales. Within the past 6 years, he has been regularly ranked the #1 agent worldwide among the entire Engel & Völkers Network. Through these accomplishments, Paul has built relationships with hundreds of top agents around the world, creating an invaluable network for his clients. After growing up in Vermont, Paul has called Park City home since 2004 and enjoys every season. He is an outdoor enthusiast who loves to cycle, mountain bike, fly fish, ski, and sail. You may also find him eating at the best restaurants and enjoying an amazing new bottle of wine. Paul has four kids and lives with his wife in the year-round Promontory Club.

Somer Padilla
Houston, Texas
Founder and CEO of The Somerlyn Group at Compass, Somer leads one of Houston’s premier luxury real estate teams—ranked the #8 Medium Team in Houston by WSJ RealTrends 2025, Top 1.5% in the Nation, and a Top 25 Team across Compass Houston. With more than 150 years of combined experience, The Somerlyn Group has closed $500M+ in volume. A respected national speaker and advisor within Compass, Somer is recognized for her expertise in luxury marketing, client experience, and innovative business strategy. She trains top agents across the country on elevating brand presence, leveraging media at a high level, and delivering an unparalleled white-glove client experience. Her leadership, high standards, and deep market knowledge make her a preferred advisor for discerning luxury buyers and sellers seeking exceptional representation in The Woodlands and Greater Houston.

Usman Mahmood
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Toronto
Usman Mahmood builds advantage for investors, developers, and institutions across the UAE, with Dubai as his arena. He blends luxury real estate expertise with marketing and consulting acumen earned across the UAE, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada to unlock opportunities where vision, velocity, and global capital converge. Usman structures institutional acquisitions and joint ventures for residential towers, hospitality portfolios, commercial plots, and land banks, aligning landowners, developers, and capital partners to create high return outcomes that serve Dubai’s long term growth. He is equally adept at the private client level, curating access to branded and top tier residences from Vida, Four Seasons, Six Senses, and Baccarat, along with architecturally distinct villas and rare luxury apartments that deliver both lifestyle value and appreciation. For clients seeking accelerated returns, he leads acquire to transform to exit strategies, identifying undervalued assets, directing design forward renovations, and repositioning with precision to achieve profitable sales. Every engagement is guided by discretion, discipline, and detail. Usman believes real estate is a long game and trust is earned in every transaction, and his clients rely on him for clear strategy, flawless execution, and relationships that endure. If you are exploring Dubai or the broader UAE market, he is the partner who understands its nuance, pace, and potential.

Wolfram von der Leyen
Monaco
Through dedication, integrity, and a deep commitment to relationships, Wolfram built a thriving real estate agency serving Monaco and the Côte d’Azur. He founded Wolf & Raven with a vision to redefine the client experience by offering unparalleled market insight, an extensive network, and truly comprehensive service. The Wolf & Raven approach goes beyond transactions: they provide guidance in legal and financial matters, support with community integration, introductions to exclusive clubs, and advice on schooling — ensuring each client enjoys a seamless transition to life in Monaco. Wolfram is privileged to be supported by an exceptional team, including his wonderful wife, Janina. His family proudly shares Monegasque, German, and Austrian roots, and is blessed with two beautiful children — a daughter and a son.



















