Igor Jokanovic holds a B.A. in Business Management from Rockford University and a M.B.A. in International Finance from Loyola University Chicago. He served as a Senior Relationship Banker at LaSalle Bank before founding Arete Renovators with his family and friend in 2002. Igor worked as a financial advisor for Morgan Stanley before going full time as an entrepreneur in 2008. Arete Renovators evolved in 2014 to a design and build firm with a full design studio center in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Igor is also the founder of the American Southeast Europe Chamber of Commerce whose goal is to promote charitable endeavors and meaningful relationships between the southeastern region of Europe and the United States. In 2016, along with his wife and brother, Igor formed the new Board Of Directors at Council Oak Montessori School in Blue Island, IL. The school is thriving today and helping to shape its local community for many future generations.

Arete’ Enterprise (Arete’) today includes Arete Fund Management - private equity fund, Arete Homes - buy and sell properties, and Arete Property Development - property management company. Arete’ is in a position today to provide clients a full real estate solution.

Igor lives in Blue Island, IL with his wife Lila, and their children Sara and Miles.

In his own words:

“We separate our business and personal lives but we shouldn’t separate our approach to life. Challenges present themselves no matter what is going on in our worlds. What makes the difference is the people, the family and community, you have built around you that will help you get through to the other side of any challenge. If I know anything it’s that as long as we stand together, we have already succeeded. That’s how I’ve led my life, and this company, and how I will continue to do so."

Davor received his first degree from Boylan High School in Rockford while successfully playing on their varsity basketball team all four years. He then completed his Bachelor of Science degree from DePaul University in Chicago with a major in finance and went on to tenure with Chase Bank in their finance and derivatives department. In 2002, he co-founded Areté Renovators with his brother, Igor, to give their father Jovo an outlet to market his skills as a master carpenter. Davor left the finance industry in 2006 to focus on Areté Renovators full time as the Vice President. During the 2008 real estate market crash, Areté found opportunity and business by working with property management companies and clients who needed to complete mandatory repairs, such as drywall replacement or repairing a leaking toilet. Those clients have continued to support Areté throughout the years by becoming repeat clients. Over the last 15 years, Davor has overseen the successful completion of thousands of remodeling and construction projects throughout the Chicagoland area. In addition to Areté Renovators, Davor has co-founded and oversees the daily management of the Areté group of companies serving as Vice President – Areté The Art of Design (showroom and design center), Areté Realty (in-house property management of investment properties), and Areté Investment Fund (real estate investment fund). Davor also serves on the Board of Directors at Council Oak Montessori School in Blue Island.

As Co-Founder and Project Manager of Areté Renovators, Jovo has been managing real estate construction and remodeling for over forty years. In addition to Areté Renovators, Jovo is also Founder of Areté Realty, Areté Contractors, and Areté The Art of Design. Jovo, his wife, and his two sons, Igor and Davor, came over to the United States in 1995 and built a name for themselves from the ground up. His experience with carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and much more has helped Areté become what it is today. In his free time, he enjoys cooking for his family, watching sports, and relaxing.

Coming soon!

Steliana joined Areté in 2015. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate Economics from the University of Economics in Sofia, Bulgaria. After graduating, she worked for two years in one of the largest real estate agencies in Varna, Bulgaria before moving to Chicago permanently in 2014. Beginning as a Project Coordinator with Areté she now leads the Areté’s Property Development division and also heads Areté Homes having obtained her real estate license in 2023. In her free time, she loves to go to concerts, travel to sunny weather destinations, and spend as much time as she can with her three-year-old son, Evan.

Gina joined the Areté Renovators and Areté The Art of Design teams in 2017 after moving to Chicago from Naples, Florida. She graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a degree in Communications and Public Relations. Prior to joining Areté she worked as Director of Corporate Administration for a community management company assisting with Human Resources and team culture, marketing, client onboarding, and managing upwards of 500 condominiums and single-family homes with operating budgets in excess of $5MM. Gina is a creator and driven by change. She thrives on creating a client experience from first contact through project completion. In her spare time, Gina enjoys travelling, staying on top of fashion and home trends, red wine, and experiencing the Chicago culture and food scene.

Ivana joined Areté Renovators 6 years ago as a Project Coordinator managing the construction process from initial client consultation through final punch list, before changing roles to join Areté The Art of Design as a Design Consultant. With Ivana’s background in construction and 3 years of experience in design, she has successfully completed a wide range of projects from designing rental units to single family gut rehabs. She is communicative and detail driven. She finds her design inspiration through fashion, staying on top of the latest and upcoming design trends, and keeping an eye on what other designers are doing coast to coast. Having immigrated to the United States in 2012, Ivana always remembers what it first felt like moving somewhere new and not feeling at home in her space. She finds value and the greatest fulfillment in creating a home for her clients.

Waseem obtained his Masters in Commerce in India in 2011. Since, he has worked in multiple industries such as accounting & auditing, food service, catering, healthcare, clothing/apparel and insurance. He's also held positions in multinational countries (India & Saudi Arabia) in various finance & accounting roles. He would describe himself as focused, reliable, as well as detailed oriented. He Immigrated to Chicago in 2016 and began his career as a full-charge bookkeeper, and since, he has been developing his career within the world of accounting. Waseem is always eager to learn and grow within multiple business industries. Currently, he has three kids, (which can be more than a handful) so he's always completing lots of chores and errands throughout his day. In his free time, he plays with his kids and supports his family through their day-to-day tasks.

Amari originally joined Areté Renovators as the Marketing Manager in 2022. Within this role, Amari is in charge of overseeing marketing for the Areté Enterprise businesses. He is dedicated to both maintaining and promoting Areté’s standard of excellence. He graduated from Roosevelt University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Amari has an extensive background in freelance graphic and web design for individuals and small businesses alike.

Amari is a creative in every aspect. His priority is finding “the story” within all of his projects. He believes storytelling is the common thread that weaves together all of humanity.

In his free time, Amari enjoys singing and acting professionally, cooking, and curating his ever-growing collection of vinyls.

Grace Juracka joined the Areté team after working in the film industry. She graduated from DePaul University's School of Cinematic Arts in 2020 with a degree in Film and Television production. After graduation, she served as a studio coordinator and social media manager for a commercial production company and film studio based here in Chicago. Grace’s experience allows her to excel in gathering on set footage and curating videos to draw people in and get them excited about the behind the scenes process. In her spare time, Grace enjoys sitting on the beach, cooking new recipes with her boyfriend, and spending time with her triplet siblings and family.

Vasilka realized early on that the most significant details make for an astonishing design. In Europe, she attended the Faculty of Design and Technology of Furniture and Interior and is a Certified Interior Designer (CID) from ITAcademy in Serbia. Growing up in a family rich with artistic talents – writers, architects, carpenters, chefs, and seamstresses – her talent and skills brought her to Areté The Art of Design where she turns her clients’ homes into a luxurious living experience working as a Design Consultant. She is often inspired by ancient architecture and enjoys creating elegant designs with contemporary elements. Her curious nature has led her on other creative avenues including social media marketing, logo design, incredible DIY fashion projects, and incorporating creativity and the right ingredients to make a killer good cocktail.

Benjamin's passion and relationship with drawings, proportion, symmetry, and design began early and continues to grow today. He started studying technical drawings at 12 and continued for three years during high school. He continued learning and training in computer science when he applied to design and architecture school at the TecNM in Mexico. There, he specialized in the design of livable spaces. His first architectural design accomplishment was at the age of 20 when he designed a custom single-family home from A to Z. Ever since, his determination to keep educating himself has played a significant role in his personal life and professional career and has brought him into this amazing team at Areté. His mission is to provide a top design experience, create functional and harmonious spaces and develop meaningful relationships with every client he meets.

Sarek is originally from Cambridge, MA. He has been living in Chicago for almost six years, having moved back in 2018, and he loves it there. He attended the University of Massachusetts, where he pursued a degree in Writing/English Composition. For the past decade, he has worked in fashion and has a passion for all things design, including fashion, art, architecture, interior design, and, perhaps most importantly, food. He also enjoys getting outside and spending time in nature whenever possible. Travel is very important to him, and hiking and camping are among his all-time favorite activities. His goal is to visit all of the U.S. national parks, having visited 6 out of 63 so far. Overall, he loves meeting new people and making new connections, always pushing himself outside of his comfort zone to gain new experiences and learn new skills. Having a personal and professional growth mindset is very important to him.

Derek began his career in construction with his first property in 2003. Since then, he has purchased and renovated dozens of properties across the United States. Whether it be a gut rehab, full tear down, or smaller projects, the attention to detail and quality of the finish makes his properties very high end. With most of his work being done in the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park, merging his efforts with Areté was a natural pairing. Derek’s passion is helping clients build their dream home with a complete understanding of the process. He is there to walk you through every step of the way and help translate the client’s vision into reality. In his free time, Derek enjoys spending time with family and vacationing in his second home in Florida. Derek is a NARI Certified Professional as a Certified Remodeling Project Manager.

Coming soon!

Brandon joined the team in the Spring of 2021. As transportation director, he is in charge of coordinating with the design consultants to ensure the correct materials arrive on job sites, organizing miscellaneous materials in our showroom, and maintaining an updated list of materials for each client. Brandon is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico and moved to the United States with his family in 2007. He has experience in many different areas including the restaurant and service industries. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, spending time with friends and family, and training his new puppy, Canelo.

Shannon, the newest design consultant, joined the team this past 2023 summer as a design intern. Growing up in Chicago's southwest suburbs, her design journey began at a young age, reconfiguring her friends and families’ rooms and crafting fashion ideas. Shannon's love for transforming spaces and furniture flourished through college, culminating in a degree from the Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design at the University of Arkansas. She studied furniture design in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she crafted her first original chair, which was featured back at her university on display. Now, as part of the Areté the Art of Design team, Shannon brings a fresh, modern approach to her projects. Beyond design, she embraces city living with her sister and sassy husky Ralph, exploring new areas, and trying diverse cuisines. She tries to craft a unique blend of creativity and functionality that transforms spaces into captivating works of art for her clients.

Ivor is a recent bachelor’s graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He integrates a high level of design and critical thinking in order to bring projects and clients' visions to life. Ivor is a first-generation American from Bulgaria, who grew up in Chicago; which is where his love for architecture and design grew. In his free time, Ivor continues to expand his architectural and design knowledge by continually exploring spaces, and outside of work, architectural community activation work.

Esther Mumbi is a multidisciplinary designer who joins us from Minnesota. Her work spans architecture, UX/UI, graphic design, and fashion. Esther grew up in central Kenya, where she was always inspired by local seamstresses and hand-crafted homes, sparking her creative passion. Esther earned a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), where her bed-bench project titled "Public in the Front, Private in the Back" (2023), was featured in the UIC Museum Magazine, “FWD: Museum Journal.” Additionally, Esther served as secretary for the UIC chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students. She organized events, designed flyers, and created social media content to connect architecture students at UIC. Passionate about architecture education, Esther mentors K-12 students through various design and architecture workshops.  Her favorite project is her senior group project titled "Third Spaces of North Lawndale" (2023), which was a community-focused initiative that featured study and play spaces, outdoor performance squares, and green spaces with various edible plants and fruits. The project was showcased at the UIC School of Architecture Year End Show.  In her free time, Esther enjoys embroidery, music production, and exploring new restaurants!

Eric Robbins is a seasoned construction professional with over 40 years of diverse experience spanning project management, site supervision, remodeling and repair, demolition contracting, materials management and electronics systems integration. Renowned for his site specific attention to the scope of work, and unwavering commitment to safety and quality, he consistently delivers projects on time and within budget. His multifaceted expertise allows him to oversee every phase of construction—from initial planning to final handover.

Tom holds a degree in Business Administration from Harper College and has multiple years of experience working as a freelance project manager in the residential design-build industry. With a strong passion for luxury residential remodeling and experience in the interior design world, Tom brings both a strategic and creative perspective to every project. He values building meaningful relationships with coworkers, clients, and trade partners, and is committed to delivering thoughtful, well-executed renovations. Tom continues to build his name in the industry through collaboration, attention to detail, and dedication to client satisfaction.

Sydney joined Areté in early 2026 as the Marketing Coordinator. She brings a creative mindset to the team and helps keep Areté’s image fresh and engaging. From supporting marketing initiatives to contributing new ideas, Sydney enjoys finding ways to make the brand stand out and connect with people in a meaningful way.