Kathryn Shafer - the founder of Realty Group LA - has over 26 years of sales, management, and entrepreneurial experience. Originally from Greenwich, Connecticut, Kathryn moved to Los Angeles in 1976. In her early 20’s, she founded one of the first cable television networking companies, Horizon Cable-vision. As one of the first women contractors in the rough-and-tumble cable market, she quickly sec
ured contracts with Group W, Century Cable, as well as numerous others; she oversaw the building of communities throughout the Los Angeles area. In the late 1980’s, Kathryn expanded her successful company into the emerging market of customized audio and video systems; focusing on the installation of home theatre systems for the entertainment community, with such distinguished clients as Barbra Streisand and the Sultan of Brunei. With a focus of working with builders and the top interior designers of the time, Kathryn took the chance to utilize her expert skills in sales and networking and became a licensed Realtor. Within 18 months, Kathryn was the 7th top producer in DBL Realtors. Always forward thinking – in 1997, she saw an opportunity in the fledgling technology industry, where Kathryn became a partner and investor in the successful Internet Company, Bold New World, as Vice President of Sales. In a role of working with high net worth individuals, Kathryn’s focus turned to structuring business opportunities and guidance of idea to execution. With the dilution of the “dot com” and her entrepreneurial spirit, Kathryn re-entered the real estate industry, reuniting with DBL Realtors and regaining her top producer status within six months. In an active M&A time in Real Estate, DBL Realtors was sold to Sotheby’s International Realty, which was owned and operated by NRT. Kathryn, searching for the independent innovative company, discovered Windermere Properties. As its “owner and operator,” she opened the Los Angeles franchise in February of 2005, managing over 100 agents in two offices (Sunset Strip and Studio City). Kathryn is one of the founding board members of GreenWish.org, she is on the committee for the Los Angeles Council for Global Green and has recently joined Raise-A-Child, a non-profit working with foster children and matching with family’s for adoption. She has an extensive reach with International clientele and is Internationally Certified, along with her Build It Green, GREEN Broker designations. She is an avid athlete, competing in marathons and triathlons, and also raises money for Aids Project Los Angeles, as well as, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Commitment to Charity has been a hallmark of Kathryn’s success as a top producer. She contributes 10% of closed commissions to the charity of choice for referrals in real estate and has donated well over $60,000 to local charities in and around Los Angeles. She is a Rotarian with LA 5, and a member of the Los Angeles City Club.
