Global Business Council 

 ABOUT GBC

The SFAR Global Business Council is the one-stop shop for international real estate investors and professionals looking to do business in the great city of San Francisco. Through our partnership and collaboration with CAR and NAR, San Francisco GBC serves as a platform for SFAR members and international visitors to connect and learn about all the global opportunities offered. Our members organize and lead international trade events, seminars of global importance, and networking opportunities meant to connect international professionals with everything in San Francisco real estate.

Check below to see a list of upcoming and past events the GBC has coordinated. Some notable past events include APEC, a Korea trip, a Vietnam trip, discussions regarding AI and its impact, and conversations with the SelectUSA Department of Commerce.

Contact our GBC Chair or Vice Chair to learn more about us. You can also follow us on our social media platforms: Facebook Instagram.

Oleg Verbitski is the GBC Chairman as well as a Senior Advisor at the Pacific West Advisory Group at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties. He spent 3 years on the Calgary Real Estate Board and has a residential, a commercial and a rural real estate license for Canada. Oleg has conducted transactions for commercial and residential real estate in Canada and European countries and currently works with multiple foreign investors in the United States and Canada. He has provided business valuation and financial consultancy in both markets. Oleg speaks English, Ukrainian and Russian. Oleg joined the GBC to learn more about international transactions in the Bay Area and to provide his expertise to others where needed. He believes that the Bay Area is not properly promoted and works with the GBC to change that trend.

If you are interested in hearing more about the GBC, please get in touch with Oleg (ID: 02067848) by calling him at his office: 415-236-3767 or on his cell: 415-470-4541, or by emailing him at oleg@thecrevo.com.

Sonny Chan is the GBC Vice Chairman and a seasoned real estate professional with over ten years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, he has specialized in residential properties, leveraging his expertise to deliver exceptional results for his clients.With a track record of success both in buying and selling properties, Sonny has developed a deep understanding of local and international markets. This knowledge allows him to provide valuable insights and guidance to his clients, helping them make informed decisions. Known for his exceptional negotiation skills, Sonny consistently secures lucrative deals, ensuring optimal outcomes for buyers and sellers.

In addition, Sonny actively engages with real estate associations and organizations, recognizing the value of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the industry.

  • 2018, 2019 AREAA San Francisco Peninsula Chapter President
  • 2021 SFAR GBC Chair
  • 2024 AREAA San Francisco Peninsula Chapter Treasurer
  • 2024 AREAA Global Business Development Chair
  • 2024 SFAR GBC Vice Chair
  • 2023-2024 Hong Kong Association Northern California Board of Director

If you are interested in hearing more about Sonny or the GBC, please get in touch with him via email at: sonny@sequoia-re.com

Upcoming Events 

GBC Presents: Sip & Sustain! 
Tuesday, December 17
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
The PLANT Cafe Organic
2335 3rd Street, San Francisco 

Let’s raise a glass to a greener future! Join us at THE PLANT Cafe Organic for an evening of sustainability, networking, and connecting with like-minded realtors dedicated to green sustainability practices in the industry.

With your RSVP to this FREE event, enjoy light bites and a complimentary drink on us. Don’t miss out on this fun and informative event. See you there!

Resources

Amanda Dunn
Currencies Direct
Amanda.dunn@currenciesdirect.com

Cristina Delgado
cristina@elcerroinc.com

Joe Bray
josephmbray@gmail.com.  
916-798-6943

French – Amanda Dunn
Chinese Mandarin – Michael Young
Vietnamese (conversational) – Michael Young
Spanish (basic) – Michael Young
Ukrainian/ Russian – Oleg Verbitski
Mandarrin/Cantonese – Tina Cen
Cantonese – Angela Ma
Fujian – Haley Zhao

 

Ed Diaz

Angela Ma

Weiming Peng

Ron Ricard

Joanne Wong
First American

Past Events

 

GBC Summit 2024
Tuesday, November 19 

Hybrid Event 
Watch the RECORDING

 

 

Real Estate Passport to Europe and Latin America
Friday, September 20
Zoom Webinar
Watch the RECORDING

 

 

Beyond Selling SF – Communities Shaping the Future of the City
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 

In-Person Event

 

 International Insights: Choose Your Brew
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. PST 
Zoom 

View event photo album

 

 

SF Global Summit
Unlock Productivity: AI & Empowering Agents in The Business of Global Real Estate
October 18, 2023
View event photo album

 

Investment Incentives in Panama & Colombia:
The How and The Why
August 17, 2023
Watch the Recorded Webinar

 

International Insights: Choose Your Brew w/Ireland
March 29, 2023

A collaboration with local real estate associations around the U.S. (Austin, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco).
View webinar slides