Meet the Team
Claudia Mills
FounderClaudia Mills is known for the exceptional properties she brings to market and her ability to achieve outstanding results for her clients. Recognized by her local professional association as one of four "Mega Agents" in 2019, she also ranks in the top 0.5% of agents nationally by RealTrends as featured in The Wall Street Journal. In 2025, Claudia represented four of Oakland's highest residential sales, further solidifying her reputation for expertly positioning and marketing distinctive homes at the highest level of the market.
As a founding member of Bay Area Portfolio — the luxury division of Keller Williams, the largest real estate brokerage in the United States — Claudia serves as a Bay Area ambassador for Keller Williams Luxury, a national platform representing tens of billions of dollars in annual residential sales. This affiliation gives Claudia the unique ability to promote her listings far beyond the East Bay, connecting exceptional local properties with qualified buyers across the country when the opportunity warrants it.
Highly regarded for her exceptional client service, market expertise, and refined design eye, Claudia has a unique ability to bridge the gap between design intent and buyer expectations. Her perspective ensures that each property resonates with today's market while maintaining the integrity and character of the home itself.
Claudia is especially known for transforming and presenting properties as elevated luxury retail products. Combined with strategic, targeted marketing, her approach consistently helps sellers meet — and often surpass — their goals.
Realtor PartnerJennifer Thibodeaux
Born and raised in Oakland and Piedmont, Jennifer has a true love for — and deep knowledge of — the Bay Area. She comes from an entrepreneurial family that owned and operated a furniture manufacturing business in Oakland for over 40 years, where she learned firsthand what it means to work hard, wear many hats, and put people first. Before real estate, Jennifer also spent time working in public relations and marketing across the tech and entertainment industries. All of these experiences shaped the way she shows up for her clients today — as a strong advocate and trusted guide.
Jennifer is a first-generation Portuguese American and has been deeply involved in the local Portuguese community throughout the Bay Area, especially in San Leandro, for as long as she can remember. Community has always been at the heart of everything she does, and outside of real estate, she loves volunteering as a 7th and 8th grade girls’ volleyball coach.
Currently, Jennifer lives in the Oakland Hills with her husband, their twin daughters, and their rottweiler. As a mom of twins, she is especially passionate about helping young families and first-time buyers find a place to call home here in the Bay Area.
When she's not working or coaching, you’ll usually find Jennifer at home cooking with her family or out trying new restaurants around the area.
Buyer's Agent Tristan Fong
Raised in Lafayette, Tristan Fong has a longstanding connection to the East Bay and a genuine appreciation for the communities that make the area such a special place to call home. With a background spanning real estate, operations, and creative industries, Tristan brings a thoughtful, organized, and people-focused approach to his work as a Realtor.
Before working in real estate, Tristan spent over five years managing operations across healthcare, design, and creative businesses. His experience taught him how to navigate complex processes, coordinate many moving pieces, and, most importantly, understand what people need to feel supported and taken care of. He brings that same attention to detail and service-minded approach to every client relationship.
As a licensed real estate agent, Tristan has experience representing both buyers and sellers and particularly enjoys helping clients navigate the process of finding a home that fits their needs and lifestyle. He brings an approachable, resourceful, and solutions-oriented perspective to every transaction, with a focus on making the experience feel clear, manageable, and personal from start to finish.
Outside of real estate, Tristan has a background in the entertainment industry and holds a degree in Entertainment Business from The Los Angeles Film School. His creative perspective and entrepreneurial spirit inform the way he approaches his work, and he is excited to help clients find a home that feels right for both where they are today and where they’re headed next.
Head of Marketing & OperationsKatherine Ponec
Katherine Ponec, the marketing vision of the team and Claudia’s daughter, has always loved real estate. After graduating with a degree in Public Relations and Advertising from Chapman University, she then went on to work at Getty Images in a dedicated support role for key accounts. It was there she learned and honed her project management skills, all the while assisting with Claudia’s branding. Now as a full time team member, Katherine’s keen eye for design and nose for current trends ensures every client receives stunning and effective marketing assets. Coupling a modern perspective with fresh business acuity, she brings state-of-the-art marketing practices to all CMRET listings. Outside of work, Katherine loves to practice hot yoga, take her mini labradoodle, Ollie, for hikes, and throw dinner parties with her husband.