Meet Our Team
At Bright Space, we go above and beyond in service of our clients. We want to be your agents for life, and your go-to resource for all things home-related.
Shannon Sansoterra
Licensed Oregon Principal Broker
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A proud queer Realtor and Michigan transplant, I’ve called beautiful Portland home since 1998. I’ve since watched it grow from a quiet little city sandwiched between Seattle and San Francisco to its own distinctly cool enclave with walkable, accessible neighborhoods and a surge of amazing small businesses.
While automotive design work drew me to Portland originally, I worked as a private Pilates instructor and dabbled as a sometimes dancer at Crush Bar (no regrets), and in 2007 I eventually found my way to the career I had wanted since childhood. I have spent the last 15+ years helping urbanites buy and sell in Portland’s inner core. I want you to love your home and I’ll never push you to make a purchase or sale you don’t feel good about. I am here to counsel and advise but, most importantly, I’m here to listen.
Sparked by walks with my aunt along Lake St. Clair and into some of Detroit’s most historic neighborhoods, I became enchanted with the styles of homes in the area. From Tudors to Arts and Crafts and everything in between, these architectural styles inspired my lifelong love of old homes. After moving west, my career in automotive design furthered an appreciation of architecture and modern, clean lines.
I aim to be a trusted resource long after closing, for not just real estate questions, but anything I can do to help make you feel more at home in this city that I love. I’m here for it – whether you’re looking for restaurant recommendations (I’m a big Portland foodie), looking to get out and explore the city on your bike, or a new favorite wine bar, you’re in very good hands. My love for biking and walking around town helps me discover Portland’s hidden treasures and I’m always amazed by the unique spots I find when on foot or two wheels.
I love a good jumpsuit (you may run into me at Wildfang), hiking with my rescue dogs, Murray and Penny, and working hard to make real estate easy for my clients. Whether you’re new to town or a long-time resident, I’ll help you find your perfect Portland oasis!
Charity Chesnek
Licensed Oregon Principal Broker
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After exploring various corners of the country, I found my heart and home in Portland nearly 30 years ago. Portland’s unique neighborhoods, distinctive architecture, and livability captured my imagination and continue to inspire me. I took that love a step further and became a Realtor!
My passion for real estate began when I sold my first house. Experiencing the financial stability that homeownership brought to my family, I became dedicated to helping others find their ideal home and achieve financial independence. Having lived in multiple areas of Portland and managing several remodels and owning investment property, I bring a wealth of local knowledge and practical expertise to the table.
I enjoy partnering with my clients to discover their dream home or investment property, or to seamlessly transition them from their current house to the next chapter of their lives. As a long-time Portland resident and active Realtor, I offer personalized consultations to ensure my clients make informed, confident real estate decisions. With roots in a construction focused family, I have the insider connections for all your repair and remodeling needs.
When I’m not busy matching clients with their homes, I adore Portland’s outdoor adventures, culinary delights, and travel opportunities. I love exploring new places and developing new skills and will usually try to bring my family and friends along for the ride.
Navigating your next real estate transaction with me means a smooth, enjoyable journey. I’m here for you long after your home closes—whether you need a trusted referral, a coffee companion, or tips on the best kayaking spots. Let’s make your Portland real estate dreams a reality!
Laurie Gilmer
Licensed Oregon Principal Broker
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Whether you're buying your first home, your 20th investment property, or anything in between, I will help guide you through the process and always provide my honest opinion and feedback. I have owned fixer uppers, move-in-ready homes, investment properties, and condos. Even after a transaction has closed, I am still available to you on an ongoing basis. I encourage my clients to use me as a resource on remodeling, referrals for tradespeople, or even questioning if now is the right time to buy or sell. I enjoy helping in any way that I can.
I have called Oregon my home for close to 30 years, after time spent on both coasts. I’ve lived in all quadrants of Portland and experienced them change and evolve, with their own unique personalities. I appreciate all Portland has to offer, from quirky community events and mouth-watering farmers markets, to an abundance of local businesses. My wife, Kellie, our dog Newman (named after one of our favorite shows, Seinfeld), and I currently live in NE Portland and love being able to walk and bike (if you see a lit up bike with streamers and music playing, odds are it’s me) to restaurants, bars, and friends’ homes.
Before becoming a Realtor in 2003, I was a mental health clinician for many years. The skills I used as a therapist - active listening, building a trusting relationship, stress management, and organization - are invaluable to selling real estate. I work hard and take pride in handling every detail of your purchase or sale. 100% of my business is through referrals from satisfied clients and I value my clients’ opinions and confidence in me. I recognize that it is often about more than just real estate: it’s about your life, your money, your goals, and your dreams.
Assisting and supporting people as they fulfill their dreams is a value I hold dearly. In 2001, I helped establish a non-profit (originally Oregon Cultural Access) connecting people living with a mental or physical disability to the arts. In this capacity, I ran a theater company for people living with mental illness. I actively participated on the board for 22 years until we decided to turn over the programs to other non-profits. I continue to actively contribute and participate in a number of local non-profits. My dedication to giving back to our community will always be an important part of my professional and personal life.
When I am not working, my passions include traveling, scuba diving, exploring our beautiful state, cooking, live music and festivals (I am a dedicated Phish Phan), “glamping” in our adorable teardrop trailer, hanging in our backyard adult treehouse, coming up with new cocktails at our home bar, eating and drinking my way through Portland, and spending time with friends and family. I look forward to helping you achieve your real estate dreams!
Laura Wood
Licensed Oregon Principal Broker
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I moved to Portland in the 80s, a refugee of Chicago winters, and can’t imagine living anywhere else. I selflessly and tirelessly visit restaurants, coffee shops, tile stores, shoe stores, etc. to make sure I know what’s going on in Portland’s many distinct neighborhoods. I’m passionate about making Portland the most pet friendly city in the country. Before selling real estate I worked for seventeen years as an emergency/critical care veterinarian. There is absolutely no better negotiation training-ground than dealing with life and death situations involving large amounts of money with people you just met, all at three in the morning. None.
I’m fascinated with homes and how we live – figuring out what’s important and bringing that front and center, whether it’s a neighborhood with the highest walkability score, a kitchen for two to cook in and room to entertain friends , space for a garden and all the pets, a fixer you can fix exactly the way you want or maybe a clean, modern condo that makes no demands. Whatever we tell ourselves about how we want our life to be I’m all for seeing how close you can get and giving it a try. Life is short – why not aim for making it as sweet as possible?
I love Portland, love houses and relish being an insider in the Portland real estate market. I’ve rehabbed houses and owned rentals for years and still think real estate is the most solid long-term investment you can make (everyone should consider the rental as college fund idea!). My business is 100% referral and I keep my clients by helping them buy and sell smart; sometimes the house you fall in love with is not the right house for you. My clients are lifetime clients – they refer parents, sisters and friends in New York considering a move to Portland (we’re the New Yorker’s version of a fairy tale – a creative city with cool, walkable neighborhoods and affordable housing). I want clients to call me during a renovation to make sure they’re making the right choices, call with questions about their garden, for reassurance that they’ve found just the right shade of green, advice on what kind of dog they should get…no one has ever accused me of not having an opinion.
I live in the Clinton/Division neighborhood with my partner Martina in a 1909 Craftsman full of pets, too many plants in the garden and never enough books. I love being home, picking out yet another set of color, planning the next remodeling project and one day finishing my novel (set in Burger King in the 70s – can’t wait to read it, can you?) and always, always thinking about houses.
Emily Bates
Licensed Office Manager
EmilyBatesPDX@gmail.com
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Hails from: Lancaster, England
Passions: I love painting, podcasts and going to comedy shows.
Home Is: Where my husband is and always full of art, plants and animals
Joe Harmon
Licensed Assistant
JoeHarmonPDX@gmail.com
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Hails from: Nottingham, New Hampshire
Passions: Dogs, Books & Beer
Home Is: Wherever Nat (my love) and Sam (my dog) are.
Previous high-stress careers have honed us into top-notch organizers and multitaskers and seasoned negotiators. Almost 100% of our business comes from referrals. We want you to be a client for life!
For buyers, our goal is to help you find a property you love and make sure it’s a good financial investment. We aim to make your experience as stress-free as possible and we’ll remind you that buying a house is exciting and should be fun. We care deeply about how happy you are in your house, not only when you get the keys but also five to ten or more years down the road. We want to be your resource for all things home-related for years to come. Think of us when you need a contractor recommendation, when you’re curious about how much your house is worth and when it’s time for the next move.
For sellers, we’ll help you determine the best price for your home, assist you in making smart decisions to get your house in the best showing condition. We want you to spend money on things that matter and save money when you can. Our listings are known amongst other realtors for being ready for the market and sure to dazzle buyers. We are active listeners and work hard to build a trusting relationship; we’ll support you through every step of the process. We take pride in getting you the most money in the shortest period of time.