lauren smagacz
After graduating from Bradley University with a degree in Music Business in 2011, Lauren went to work at Kidder Music as the choral music rep for seven years before realizing her career path wasn’t going in the direction she wanted. She left music business and went to work with Realtor Drake Scott, of the Scott Marketing Team. Lauren started out by managing transactions in August of 2020, and went on to become a licensed realtor in May, 2021. She has been working in real estate ever since.
After a few years of working both as an agent, and on the administrative side of real estate transactions, Lauren decided the next stage of her career would be to open her own real estate transaction business. In April 2024, she hung up her license and opened the doors for Pending: Transaction Management, LLC.
Lauren lives in central Illinois with her fiancé, Alex, and their foster fail pittie, Sulley.
KEELY YOUN G
I’m excited to step into my new role as a Transaction Coordinator with Pending: Transaction Management, LLC. I bring five years of experience from Kewanee IHMVCU, where I started as a teller and worked my way up to Loan Officer II. In that role, I handled everything from opening accounts and CDs to processing loan applications ranging from personal loans to auto loans. My time there helped me grow tremendously, both professionally and personally, and gave me a strong foundation in organization, communication, and client service.
I consider myself outgoing, adaptable, and a quick learner. I genuinely enjoy working with people and thrive in collaborative team environments, while also being confident and productive when working independently. I’m someone who can adjust to different personalities and situations while staying grounded in my work ethic and values. I’m especially excited to join PTM and work alongside Lauren, and I’m looking forward to contributing to a strong, supportive team.
Outside of work, my family and my health are my top priorities. I’ve been married to my husband, Levi, for five and a half years, and we’ve been together for nearly twelve. I’m a proud mom to my son, Cooper, and also have a bonus daughter, Zoie. Much of what drives me professionally comes from wanting to be the best version of myself for them. Cooper and I recently started taking Kung Fu classes together and are working toward earning our yellow belts, which has been such a fun and meaningful challenge. When I have quiet time, you’ll usually find me with a good book in hand, or hanging out with my friends and family.
Overall, I strive to grow continuously, stay adaptable, and bring positive energy into every environment I’m part of — both professionally and personally.