Leadership

Lew Geffen

Chairman

Lew Geffen has been in the real estate industry since 1972 and is recognised as one of the leading experts in property in South Africa. It was his determination and success at the flagship operation in greater Johannesburg, which served as the springboard for the rollout of the national brand that today boasts throughout South Africa. Lew Geffen was responsible for negotiating the Master Franchise for the Sotheby's International Realty Master Franchise for South Africa and holds many directorships in associated real estate and allied industries.

Jason Rohde

Chief Executive Officer

Jason Rohde was appointed as Chief Executive Officer after fruitful exploits as a property consultant, office manager, principal and successful business owner in his own right. Jason Rohde is a real estate specialist with over 14 years of experience in all aspects of property related transactions.

After immigrating to Perth in the early 1990's, Jason began his for a large multinational developer. Returning to South Africa in 1997, he went into residential sales and quickly established himself as one of Johannesburg's top property consultants.

He established his own niche company in early 2000 and soon became one of the experts in property. 2005 saw the merger with Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty, which firmly established the partnership as a dominant agency and one of the leaders in property sales in the northern reaches of greater Johannesburg.

Sandy Geffen

Executive Director

Sandy Geffen is an Executive Director of Sotheby's International Realty South Africa, and has 30 years of real estate specialist skills with peerless experience in training and human relations. Her dedication and success together with an infinite desire to expand the brand nationally, led her together with her husband Lew, to secure the Sotheby's International Realty® master-license for South Africa.

Sandy spearheads the implementation of a host of marketing and training tools designed to enhance her property consultants' roles as leaders in property sales. She is a highly motivated speaker and is known throughout the network for her energising and focused presentations.

Sandy spends the remainder of her time as an ambassador for the brand dedicating her time to social responsibility. She is a trustee for Women and Men Against Child Abuse and is actively involved with the charity organisation, Operation Hunger. Sandy began her career in the travel industry and then moved on to become a media manager for Kenyon Wiles advertising agency. She joined her husband Lew at Lew Geffen Estates in Johannesburg in 1982, which soon received recognition as one of the in Johannesburg.

Yael Geffen

Executive Director

Yael is an Executive Director of Sotheby's International Realty South Africa and a member of the Board.

Yael has a BA in Communications and Economics and a Master's Degree in Integrated Marketing and Communications Strategy, received from the AAA School of Advertising. She has worked locally and abroad in both New York City and Los Angeles in the marketing and advertising industries on big global accounts such as Microsoft, Pfizer, Electronic Arts and The Academy Awards.

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.