Meet the Laura Lester Team

The Laura Lester Team is led by one of The Phoenix Business Journal’s top
residential agents, Laura Lester, who has been involved in over $1.5 billion
in real estate sales and has personally sold over $400 million. The Laura
Lester team was founded on the core values of integrity, gratitude, and
optimism. This talented group of luxury real estate advisors with diverse
backgrounds and expertise work together to ensure a trusted team member is always available to you

Meet the Laura Lester Team

Laura Lester

As one of The Phoenix Business Journal’s top residential agents, Laura has been involved in over 1.5 Billion in sales and personally sold over $350 million.

From her design and construction experience, while working as the liaison between the sales team, construction team and the buyers in both Desert Mountain and then Silverleaf to her transition into sales at Silverleaf Realty in 2008, Laura’s passion for- and extensive knowledge of – the North Scottsdale market, especially in the DC Ranch and Silverleaf communities is unparalleled.

Over 26 plus years in the industry (18 of them at Silverleaf!), Laura’s worked with hundreds of buyers and sellers, giving her an inside peek into the community like no other. But it is her integrity, commitment, professionalism, and gratitude to and for her clients that play the most integral part of her success in real estate.

Rhonda Claxton

With more than 20 years of luxury real estate experience in the prestigious markets of North Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and the Silverleaf community, Silverleaf Realty Sales Associate Rhonda Claxton provides clients with in-depth industry knowledge and a strong focus on client service and satisfaction.

Having held high-level marketing positions for renowned Valley developers including Lyle Anderson Companies and Crown Realty and Development, Rhonda has an extensive background in creating innovative marketing strategies and ideas to drive lead generation and luxury real estate sales. She has also been a part of the Silverleaf Realty team for more than nine years marketing real estate listings and promoting the brokerage locally, nationally, and internationally. Rhonda has been a licensed real estate agent for 10 years.

Rhonda’s goal is to provide an exceptional home buying or selling experience by offering a level of client satisfaction that exceeds expectations through clear communication, unsurpassed attention to detail, and an innate understanding of the clients’ tastes and preferences.

Connor Sabanosh

After living out his dream of playing professional baseball for 3 years with the San Francisco Giants, Connor has partnered with one of The Phoenix Business Journal’s Top Residential Agents, Laura Lester, at Silverleaf Realty. Named Real Estate Rookie of the Year in 2019 for his own accomplishments in the real estate industry, Connor prides himself on integrity, commitment to excellence, professionalism and gratitude to those that put their trust in him to guide them through the real estate process with confidence.

Connor graduated from Ohio State University in 2015 after being named Captain of the baseball team and academic All-Big 10 for two years. He grew up in North Scottsdale and enjoys golfing, working out, and meeting new people.

Please give Connor a call today to deliver the homerun results you deserve!

Shelli Manji

Shelli is a true leader. She had many successful and rewarding years in the dental industry. After working in a high-profile private practice, Shelli went on to become an executive with a leading continuing education provider. She was instrumental in developing and launching their most-attended and most highly-regarded workshop events, eventually hosting more than 20,000 graduates. Her duties included sales, speaking, event planning and hosting. To date, this company is the largest dental continuing education provider in the world!

Shelli entered the real estate profession in 2011. She was the 2016 President of the Women’s Council of Realtors, Scottsdale Network where she once again did event planning, hosting and speaking for over 2 years. Bringing new and exciting education to her fellow realtors.

Shelli currently sits on the board of the United School for Autism that opened in Scottsdale August of 2018. Having family members who are diagnosed on the spectrum of Autism, Shelli is very passionate about helping these blessed and amazing individuals live their fullest, happiest, most productive lives. Shelli was also a founding board member of the dental charity called “Open Wide Foundation”. In June, 2011the movement to promote significant, measurable, and lasting change to the state of oral health in the developing world, specifically the country of Guatemala, began.

Shelli applies the qualities that made her successful in her previous profession—enthusiasm, creative thinking, attention to detail, and above all her passion for helping clients—to her Real Estate career.

Cynthia Kleerup

Cynthia Kleerup is an active resident and member of the DC Ranch and Silverleaf community. A resident of DC Ranch since 1998, Cynthia has specialized in the luxury real estate market for over 26 years. Hired by DMB and Associates in 1996 as part of the original sales team for DC Ranch, Cynthia has an extensive and vast background in the real estate industry. She was an integral part of the team that created Silverleaf Realty, which is responsible for over $1.2 billion in sales project to date.

Her sales team was also responsible for selling 250 custom homesites for over $62 million in DC Ranch from 1997-2001 and for selling all developer custom lots and builder homes in Silverleaf totaling approximately $900 million.

In the past few years, Cynthia has further broadened her expertise into the luxury condominium sales area at Icon Silverleaf, a joint venture between DMB and Associates and The New Home Company and sold over $20 million in Icon condo sales in 2019.

Jennifer Van Moorlehem

Jen Van Moorlehem has joined Silverleaf Realty and the Laura Lester Team, partnering with one of The Phoenix Business Journal’s top residential agents, as a Luxury Sales Associate. She is a California native that upon moving to Arizona, quickly fell in love with the desert lifestyle. She is an active resident of Silverleaf at DC Ranch community since 2008 and a Silverleaf Club member. After graduating from UCLA, she started her career with JRK Property Holdings working in their multifamily asset management division. She quickly developed a love for sales and parlayed her abilities into a sales role in their Santa Monica based hotel. The Westin Kierland recruited her to join their team in Scottsdale where she spent five years working with their top-performing sales group. She has over 15 years of hospitality sales experience working with Luxury Arizona Resorts. Prior to joining Silverleaf Realty in 2021, Jen owned and operated her own consulting business. She maintained clients ranging from the Sydell Group hotel and restaurant conglomerate to several international nonprofits. She has helped to strategically reposition properties post-renovation, as well as helped to gain exposure and broaden market-share for her clients. Jen currently sits on the board of Nourish Every Child, an Arizona-based nonprofit providing educational scholarships and critical nutrition to underserved communities in Haiti. As their Corporate Sponsorship Chair and Events Director, she has helped them to grow their scholarship fund from 36 to nearly 180 students since 2017. Her breadth of experience in the local luxury market, her standing in the community-at-large as well as her familiarity with the construction and build process makes her a fantastic advocate for any buyer or seller in the Valley.

Amanda Bruen

With her notable experience within the luxury club and upscale hospitality industries, Amanda has joined Silverleaf Realty and the team of Laura Lester, one of The Phoenix Business Journal’s Top Residential agents.  Having spent more than a decade working in the luxury market including special event sales and membership relations at Desert Mountain Club in north Scottsdale and at the Omni Montelucia in Paradise Valley, Amanda’s background will help provide her clients with exceptional service, dedication, and a joyful experience whether it’s finding their dream home or selling their current one. Amanda is committed to understanding what her client’s wants and needs are while delivering excellent customer service and clear, efficient communication. An Arizona native, Amanda grew up in Cave Creek and loves hiking and exploring her beautiful home state, spending time with her family and friends, enjoying good food and wine, and traveling. Connect with Amanda and look forward to a long-lasting partnership while she takes care of all your real estate needs now and for years to come!