Sophia Bruner

29 & Counting

Prior to this role, I worked in associations—specifically with ELFA and NACS. When I told people I worked for the National Association of Convenience Stores, they’d often joke about seeing me at their local 7-Eleven. But the truth is, as part of the management team, we were all required to spend two days working in an actual convenience store to better understand our members. I did my time at the Haymarket Sheetz—and let me tell you, it was equal parts exhausting and eye-opening. Two of the toughest (and most fun) days of my career. I came away with a huge amount of respect for the folks behind the counter.

The unmatched ability to connect the right people at the right time—and build relationships that actually stick. Whether it’s clients, colleagues, or partners, Sophia has a sixth sense for bringing people together and making those connections meaningful.

I understand the pressure our clients are under to find the perfect property—because I’ve been in their shoes. I know how important it is to get it right. With deep knowledge of the properties we represent and a clear understanding of what each group needs, I help clients find the ideal match without the stress.

Cooking for others

Chicago

Amalfi Coast, Ireland, Scottland, Croatia...more to come!

Scoops Ice Cream Shot in Skyline Plaza at Bailey’s Crossroads in VA

Popcorn! (Popcorn snob - I make it at home with olive oil)

Waze – I know how to get places, but I use it for traffic updates in the DMV

In my first association job, we held our annual meeting in Maui—and I had the best boss. She insisted we arrive a week early to “acclimate” (yes, really!), followed by eight full days of meetings. After that, we were invited to extend our stay with our spouses at the staff rate. It was one of the most memorable meetings I’ve ever been part of, and if I could recreate that kind of experience with our team today, it would be an absolute dream.

Make a choice to be happy

A dog—loyal, honest, friendly, and always eager to please. Whether it’s chasing down the details or showing up for the team, I bring that same dependable energy to everything I do.

Cappuccino

I’m a huge tennis fan, and Andre Agassi is my all-time favorite sports figure. Let’s just say... if following his career closely counts as stalking, I might be guilty!

Tennis—of course (see above)! But when it comes to football, I’ll always cheer for Washington!