Leadership

Lew Geffen

Chairman

Lew Geffen, often referred to as “ the maverick” in various circles, is a well-known figure in the real estate industry, particularly in South Africa. He gained recognition not only for his business acumen but also for his bold and unconventional approach to real estate.

Geffen is the founder of Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty, one of South Africa’s most prominent luxury real estate agencies. His Moniker,” The Maverick " likely stems from his reputation for challenging norms of the industry. Geffen is known for his innovative marketing strategies and his ability to identify emerging trends in the real estate market. He also stands out for his willingness to speak his mind, often offering candid commentary on both the market and broader economic issues.

Geffens success has been driven by his ability to combine traditional real estate expertise with forward thinking practices. Under his leadership his agency has grown into a powerful brand with a focus on high-end properties. His willingness to take risks and embrace new technology has helped solidify his place as a leader in the luxurious real estate market.

Beyond business, Geffen is also known for his philanthropic efforts and being a larger- than- life personality, making him a well regarded figure in South African business and beyond.

Yael Geffen

Chief Executive Officer

Aside from having a love affair with sloths, Yael Geffen is the CEO and a shareholder of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty as well as a member of the Europe, Middle East, India and Africa region task force for Sotheby’s International Realty. She grew up in a real estate dynasty established by her grandmother, Aida, and, prior to joining the family business in 2009, she acquired extensive real estate marketing, brand building and business development experience in the United States. Yael is the winner of the 2020 Standard Bank’s prestigious Top Woman in Property Award and is the 2023 winner of Woman of Stature’s CEO of the Year. She was chosen to represent South Africa as a speaker for the World Leaders Summit in November 2021. She is a mental health advocate and is passionate about authentic leadership.

Neethesh Haripersad

Chief Operations Officer

Neethesh has been with the company from inception, starting as the accountant and progressing to Group Financial Manager and further to his current position of Chief Operations Officer. Neethesh has a B.Comm (Honours) degree from the University of South Africa and is integral to the growth and management of the company.

Jaco Smit

Chief Information Officer at GIRF Franchise Network

Jaco Smit serves as the Chief Information Officer for the GIRF Franchise Network, where he is responsible for developing and implementing the digital strategy across the network. With 15 years of experience in corporate environments, Jaco has managed large online marketing accounts and led digital strategies for major clients in South Africa and the UK.

He is a Google-certified online marketing specialist with a background extending over 20 years in the field. In addition to his marketing expertise, Jaco is a senior developer with a focus on open source technology. His academic background includes a degree in Information Technology and Biochemistry, and he is also a certified PHP developer through UNISA.