Red Key Realty Leaders

St. Louis Real Estate with a Personal Touch

Sarah Bernard and the RedKey Realty Leaders’ philosophy is simple: clients come first through loving service. We pledge to be in constant communication with our clients, keeping them fully informed throughout the entire buying and selling process. Our team believes that if you’re not left with an amazing experience and a home that inspires you, we haven’t done our job. We don’t measure success through achievements or awards but through client satisfaction. Contact us today for your no-obligation complimentary consultation. 

Sarah Bernard

Team Leader & Listing Agent

MBA, Realtor®, Certified Luxury Home Expert

Sarah Bernard is a trusted St. Louis real estate advisor known for her deep market knowledge, strong negotiation skills, and ability to guide clients through both primary home sales and resort/lifestyle property transactions. Her work spans the Metro St. Louis area, with a particular focus on the Central Corridor, luxury homes, and the Innsbrook Resort market.

Sarah brings a rare combination of residential sales experience, media expertise, hospitality ownership, and investment property knowledge to her clients. From 2008 to 2024, she owned and operated Sarah Bernard Vacation Rentals at Innsbrook, building extensive firsthand expertise in short-term rentals, second homes, guest experience, and the unique economics of resort ownership. She sold the business in 2024, but continues to use that experience to help clients evaluate lifestyle properties, income potential, market positioning, and long-term value.

In addition to her real estate career, Sarah has served the City of St. Louis through STL-TV since 2011, hosting and contributing to programming focused on local issues, community voices, and the people shaping the region. She also coaches agents and team leaders throughout the U.S. and Canada through Workman Success Systems, bringing a broader industry perspective to her work with buyers and sellers. Her media and coaching work reflect the same strengths she brings to real estate: thoughtful communication, preparation, professionalism, and a genuine understanding of the St. Louis community.

Sarah holds certifications in negotiation, vacation and second-home properties, pricing strategy, and luxury home marketing. She is especially skilled at helping sellers prepare, position, and market distinctive homes, and helping buyers make confident decisions in competitive or highly specialized markets.

A St. Louis native who raised her three children in Clayton, Sarah brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to the neighborhoods, schools, lifestyle considerations, and generational decisions that shape a move. Whether working with a luxury seller, an Innsbrook owner, a relocating family, or a client considering a short-term rental investment, Sarah combines practical guidance with seasoned judgment and a clear focus on results.

Team Biographies

Jodi Smith – Operations Manager

Jodi Smith serves as Operations Manager for the Sarah Bernard Realty Team, helping keep the business organized, responsive, and connected long after a transaction is complete. Her role touches many parts of the client experience, from post-closing communication and email marketing to print advertising, office management, vendor relationships, monthly giveaways, and client events.

Jodi brings a strong background in customer service, along with 19 years of experience as an HOA manager and three years in vacation rental management. That combination gives her a practical understanding of property ownership, community relationships, hospitality, and the details that matter to clients, vendors, and homeowners.

Known for leading with kindness, Jodi is a dedicated problem solver who values clear communication, hard work, and anticipating the needs of others. She helps ensure that clients feel supported, vendors stay connected, and the team’s day-to-day operations run smoothly behind the scenes.

Jodi lives in Lake St. Louis and loves her community. Family is her number one priority, and she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and grandchild. Outside of work, she loves reading, days by the lake or beach, and long daily walks in the park with her golden retriever.

Kelsey Hummel – Realtor® | Executive Assistant

Kelsey Hummel serves as Executive Assistant for the Sarah Bernard Realty Team, working closely with clients throughout the listing preparation process. From coordinating vendors and managing timelines to helping ensure each home is thoughtfully prepared for market, Kelsey plays an important role in creating a smooth, organized experience before a listing goes live.

As a licensed Realtor with a background in interior design and operations, Kelsey brings both creativity and structure to every project. She enjoys working with residential properties and understands how the many details of preparation, presentation, and timing come together to support a successful launch. Her attention to detail, proactive approach, and appreciation for beautiful homes help ensure that each listing is carefully and thoughtfully presented.

Kelsey is known for building strong client relationships and being a reliable resource throughout the process. She communicates clearly, stays one step ahead, and handles details with care so clients feel supported, informed, and confident as their home is prepared for the market.

Outside of work, Kelsey loves spending time with her husband and their two young sons. When they are not keeping up with their busy boys, they enjoy exploring area parks, visiting local shops, and taking in the character and architecture that make St. Louis neighborhoods so distinctive.

Shana Karls – Realtor | Transaction Manager

Shana Karls is a licensed Realtor and the owner of Klosing Konnection, a transaction coordination company she founded 17 years ago. As a trusted transaction management partner for the Sarah Bernard Realty Team, Shana supports the majority of the team’s contracts once they are under contract, helping ensure each transaction stays organized, timely, and on track from contract to closing.

With several years of prior experience as a title company closer, Shana brings extensive knowledge of the closing process and a strong eye for detail to every file. She manages contract deadlines, coordinates communication among buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, title companies, and other parties, and helps keep the many moving pieces of a real estate transaction progressing smoothly.

Known for building strong relationships, listening carefully, and taking a proactive approach, Shana is committed to providing outstanding service and reducing stress throughout the closing process. Her steady communication, organization, and problem-solving skills help create a smoother experience for clients and agents alike.

Outside of work, Shana enjoys working out, shopping, cooking, spending time with family, and being outdoors in nature.