Real Estate Agents

With an eye for potential and a gift for math, Michelle knows how to spot value for her clients. Her father, a long-time investor in local real estate, taught her how to think beyond the short-term. She is passionate about helping every client gain long-term wins from the sale or purchase of their property.

“I’m not thinking about tomorrow,” she says, “I’m thinking about years to come.”

Michelle Centanni was born and raised in Kenner. She attended Archbishop Chapelle, where she held leadership positions and discovered her interest in education. These activities created a vibrant social life, and to this day she continues to make her relationships a cherished priority.

She majored in Elementary Education at LSU, and she continues to stay involved with her Kappa Delta sorority sisters.

Throughout her twenties, Michelle worked for American All-Star where she was a dance coach, choreographer, and role model for young dancers. She always sought to instill leadership, teamwork, and a positive mental attitude in her trainees. These values continue to guide her work as a REALTOR®.

Michelle eventually became a teacher and a math tutor at St. Dominic in Lakeview, where she built strong relationships with the students and their families. As many of her friends are first-time home buyers, she came to realize that she could better serve her community as a REALTOR®.

The high value she places on community led Michelle to join the Athena team.

“I chose Athena,” she says, “because they understand that less is more. It’s a very close-knit group. Instead of signing as many agents as possible, they focus on quality over quantity.”

Michelle is a newlywed who lives right on the border of Kenner and Metairie with her husband, a golden retriever named Luna, and a rescue cat named Roux. Today, she continues to draw upon her teaching experience to network and build relationships. She helps her clients make big choices that will benefit them over the long term.

Alaine Wehlen is a natural-born educator. The skills she’s gained in eight years of teaching have carried over to her real estate career, where she acts as a trusted guide and wealth of information for a small group of loyal clients.

Buying or selling real estate is rarely a simple process, but Alaine stands by her clients, providing critical guidance and working behind the scenes to ensure success. Because she only works with a few clients at a time, she can provide a much more thoughtful, personalized experience.

Alaine is passionate about the many neighborhoods of New Orleans and well educated on their differences. She’s also a staging expert, with a keen eye for the subtle changes that make a big difference to potential buyers. She enjoys the process of working with a seller to make their home show as well as possible and ultimately sell for a high price.

Alaine was raised in New Orleans and attended LSU. She is a teacher at St. Dominic, where her three daughters also attend. She’s been married to her husband, Nick, for 15 years, and in the spring of 2020, they added a new member to their family — a rescue dog named Trooper.

Corynne started her real estate career working for a local title company and quickly learned about the industry as she began meeting agents. She soon realized her passion was on the other side of the table–representing families buying and selling their homes.  With a strong background in marketing and relevant experience in the industry, Corynne has all it takes to be a top real estate agent in the Greater New Orleans area.

An LSU graduate and North Shore native, Corynne has ten years of experience in the South Shore, both professionally and as a homeowner. She enjoys taking her kids to City Park for beignets. She loves outdoor festivals, live music, and almost any outdoor activity New Orleans has to offer.

Corynne chose to work with Athena because she felt there was a good fit. “When I worked in the title world, I was exposed to a lot of different brokerages and I could see where I felt I fit the most. A lot of my clientele are in Lakeview and Metairie, and that’s where Athena thrives. I also knew a lot of the agents, so I had a community already. I feel like Athena really is a family more than a brokerage.”

Although Corynne has made the South Shore her home, she hasn’t forgotten her North Shore roots, and this means she can offer her clients the best of both worlds.

“I’m able to speak to the North Shore side because I’m very familiar with the neighborhoods and the schools over there. If a client wants to buy on the North Shore, I can quickly give them intel and find exactly what they need but can speak to the South Shore side as well.”

We are pleased to announce that Stacie Carubba has been named an Athena 2020 Top Producer!

Stacie grew up in Metairie and attended Mt. Carmel Academy then Louisiana State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science with a minor in Business Administration. Having garnered an admirable reputation as a realtor with Athena Real Estate since 2015, Stacie has remained a top producing agent in the city year after year.

With the support of her brokerage and her colleagues, coupled with her unstoppable “Results, not Excuses” motto, Stacie has risen to the status of mega-agent. She consistently closes multi-millions each year and has topped $10 million in sales volume for the past two years.

In a whirlwind finale to 2020, when Stacie was married, she also achieved her associate broker status in December.  She has since been made a partner of Athena, where her talents, ambition, and spirit will always be cherished.

Congratulations to Katie O’Leary, one of our four Top Producers for 2020!

Katie helps her clients buy and sell in the greater New Orleans area.  As an attorney, Katie offers her clients an informed understanding of the finer points of homeownership. And as a ballet instructor, she has an eye for elegance.

Athena is proud of all our New Orleans realtors, and Katie O’Leary is one of the best in the business.

Congratulations to Claudine Christiansen on being one of our four Top Producers for 2020!

An intrepid New Orleans Realtor, Claudine fights to get her clients into the right house. She is especially enthusiastic about young couples and first-time buyers.

“I try to get my clients into a home that feels like a home, not just a house,” Claudine says, and she aligns her work with the hashtag #LoveWhereYouLive.  Claudine Christiansen was born and grew up in Lakeview. She is fond of selling Lakeview homes to newlyweds and couples who are ready to expand their families.

Claudine attributes her success this year to the patience and support she has received from her family, friends, and colleagues. She considers Athena Real Estate to be a part of this network.  “It’s nice when you’re working for a brokerage that’s so supportive.”

Whether dealing in Lakeview homes or any New Orleans real estate, Claudine plans to build on her momentum in 2021. “I really care about my clients. I want to build more connections.”

Congratulations to Chris Serio, one of our top producing realtors in 2020!

Chris is a skilled New Orleans realtor who specializes in strategic marketing for vintage New Orleans homes.

Chris uses his own video production company, Streetcar Films, to create stunning video and other visual tools to sell New Orleans real estate.

Chris bought and renovated a commercial building and now uses the lessons from this experience to better serve his clients. He has an eye for architectural buildings, and he knows the ins and outs of renovation.

“The home buying and selling experience are deeply emotional,” Chris says. “My focus is to guide my clients confidently in the right direction.”

It’s creative, high-producing Realtors like Chris Serio who make Athena great.

Austin grew up in Old Metairie and went to Brother Martin High School, but his work ethic and ambition soon led him to discover the other neighborhoods of New Orleans.

At the age of 15 he worked at the Canseco’s in Old Metairie, and later he took jobs at places like the airport in Kenner and a restaurant in downtown New Orleans. Long before graduating from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Austin learned about our city from the ground up.

“I’ve worked in every suburb and neighborhood in New Orleans to the point I know what each part of our city has to offer. I know the benefits of each area and why people would want to live there.”

Austin has a special passion for investment property in the French Quarter. He has invested his own time and money into this niche, and is eager to help his clients do the same.  “If investors want to get in there as well, I can show them my numbers and how I’m doing it and teach them if they’re interested.”

Taking care of investors was Austin’s primary goal as he signed with Athena, and he never felt the need to look at other brokers. “Everyone at Athena seemed professional. I like their mentorship program. It seemed like the right fit.”

Austin enjoys fishing in St. Bernard, spending time with his wife and their young son, and playing with his two dogs. He likes to show visitors the Old Metairie boat launch and Freret Street in Uptown New Orleans.

“I want anyone I help to be profitable. I want them to be grateful that they trusted me when they start making money.”

Athena Real Estate is delighted to announce that Stacie Carubba has been made a partner of the brokerage.

Stacie, whose business philosophy relentlessly focuses on delivering “results, not excuses,” has a reputation for going above and beyond to get the job done. She is a dynamic agent with a contemporary approach to real estate and marketing.  Through the organizational systems Stacie has developed to run her business efficiently, Stacie manages her time to ensure her clients get the individualized attention they need and deserve.

Stacie grew up in Metairie and attended Mt. Carmel Academy then Louisiana State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles, Apparel and Merchandising with a minor in Business Administration.  Having garnered an admirable reputation as a realtor with Athena Real Estate since 2015, Stacie has remained a top producing agent in the city year after year.

“I’m a quintessential New Orleans person. I’ve lived here my whole life, and I know every bit of it inside and out. I love the quirks and the idiosyncrasies; I think that is what makes us special. I love the passion of the people here and just the resilience of the city.”

“Results, not Excuses”

While caring for her grandfather at the end of his life, Stacie learned about the contributions that he made as a band professor. Many of his students reached out and fondly shared his inspiring words, “Results, not excuses.” Stacie knew this was meant to be her tagline and it all clicked.

“It’s a very personal slogan, but it also sets the bar really high. I need to be accountable to my clients and give everything 110%. To this day, I truly believe that much of my success is due to Pappy’s virtue and influence.”

As such, Stacie has acquired and honed her skills to anticipate client needs and remain current on the latest market trends, statistics, and strategies. She uses her ability to manage expectations effectively and to act as a reliable sounding board for her clients.

Real Estate is a Lifestyle

With the support of her brokerage and her colleagues, coupled with her unstoppable “Results, not Excuses” drive, Stacie quickly rose to the status of mega-agent. She consistently closes multi-millions each year and has topped $10 million in sales volume for the past two years.

“I always say real estate is a lifestyle. You have to be in it 24/7. It’s way more than a job for me; it’s definitely my passion. Even though it’s work, it lets me have a creative outlet, it brings me joy, and it makes me feel fulfilled. Once I started building relationships with my clients, I just felt alive and happy. I feel like I’ve finally found my calling.”

Stacie is an alumna of Delta Gamma Fraternity and previously held a leadership position within the organization for many years. She is the Vice President of the Synergy chapter of the Business Network International and she currently volunteers with the Junior League of New Orleans, Immune Deficiency Foundation, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

As a result of her personal success and public contributions, Stacie was inducted into the Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry in November 2020.  In a whirlwind finale to 2020, Stacie also achieved her associate broker status in December one week before her recent nuptials on New Year’s Eve.

Mentoring Future Partners

Athena prides itself on mentoring new agents within the brokerage through scheduled lunches, meetings, and phone calls in an effort to help new agents reach their full potential. Stacie has taken on the role of mentoring new agents, and she is building a new team within the brokerage.

“Athena lets you keep more money in your pocket and be yourself. Athena allows their agents to have more autonomy and carve out their own niche within the community rather than being put into a little corporate box.”

The opportunity to participate in equity with the firm is unique to Athena.  Stacie recalls that “the second that they rolled out the program, I said, ‘I’m going to be the first person to do that.” She is the first, but won’t be the last. Now that she owns a stake in the brokerage, Stacie knows the real meaning behind delivering results, not excuses.

Athena is delighted to welcome veteran agent Lauren Serio to our team!

For Lauren, there’s something special that makes a house a home. Sometimes, it’s a simple fireplace or circle driveway, other times it’s the hidden potential and excitement of what could be created.  Lauren is eager and determined to help her clients with buying or listing their homes.

Lauren grew up in Metairie and graduated from Ridgewood High School. She then went to culinary school and worked at Emeril’s, Muriel’s, and John Besh’s Luke. For success in these high-caliber restaurants, she had to show up with a game plan, communicate effectively, and stay calm under pressure — all skills that have helped her greatly in her real estate career. She started as a realtor in Georgia, working under a high-volume broker that averaged eight listings per day. She recently returned home to New Orleans, after seven years in the Georgia mountains.

Lauren co-owns Mountain Media, a digital media marketing company, with her husband. She’s a skilled marketer with access to the best software and tools, and the marketing she provides for her listing clients is second-to-none.

Lauren lives in Metairie with her husband, Scott, their two children, Hudson and Penelope, and two dogs, Abita and Dooley. She is a proud supporter of the Ronald McDonald House Charity, whose mission and service has directly impacted her own family.

As a mom of two little ones, Lauren knows that home is where life happens and is honored to play a small role in helping her clients on their journey to finding a home. In her free time, she loves to play licks on her saxophone and coordinate kitchen dance parties.