Photo by: Capehart
Sonja Stevens is a Senior Global Real Estate Advisor with Sotheby’s International Realty in Palm Beach, bringing over 20 years of expertise in serving high-net-worth clients in Palm Beach and surrounding areas. Fluent in Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish, Sonja’s international upbringing—spending every summer in Norway during her youth—adds a unique global perspective to her work.
Before transitioning into real estate, Sonja had a distinguished career in the fashion industry. She worked closely with renowned designer Alfred Fiandaca and later ran a successful Fashion Coordinating business, organizing large fashion shows for major department stores and various organizations.
In 1984, while living in Duxbury, Massachusetts, Sonja founded a committee to raise AIDS awareness in the early days of the crisis. She also served on The Council of Churches in Duxbury and organized a fundraiser for the Amaryllis Foundation, which supported AIDS victims and their families, featuring a runway show with Alfred Fiandaca Fashions.
Since moving to Palm Beach in 2001, Sonja has been an active supporter of various community and civic organizations. She served as Chairwoman of the Annual Compass Gala at Club Colette from 2006 to 2012 and was the honorary chair from 2013 to 2019. In addition, Sonja served on the Board of the YWCA for five years, chairing its annual luncheons in 2009 and 2010. She also chaired the Annual Archival Evening for the Historical Society of Palm Beach County in 2011 and 2012, and most recently, chaired the 2024 Endless Summer Event for the Historical Society.
Currently co-chairing the 26th Annual Old Bags Luncheon, Sonja held the same role in 2018 and was the honorary chair in 2019. The Center for Family Services holds a special place in her heart, and she is deeply committed to supporting its mission.
When not working, Sonja enjoys the South Florida lifestyle with her husband, Mark, and traveling the world. They cherish spending time with their growing family, which includes a daughter, a son, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, who are the center of her world.
Joan is deeply passionate about giving back to the community. She has served as co-chair, committee member, volunteer and board member for various prestigious charities, including the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Massachusetts & Florida, YWCA/Harmony House, Palm Beach, Cedar Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles, and she is the current co-chair of The Old Bags Luncheon Palm Beach, 2025.
Joan brings her enthusiasm for making a positive impact to every endeavor, and her contributions continue to enrich the causes she supports.
Originally from Marblehead, Massachusetts, Joan has lived in several iconic cities, including Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, and New York City, and now resides in South Florida.
Joan is a proud mother of two daughters and a loving grandmother to her cherished grandchild.
Photo by: Julia Duresky
Old Bags Luncheon® is the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County’s signature fundraising event.
Our premier event is once again at The Breakers Palm Beach. Palm Beach Daily News recognized OBL as one of the top five Palm Beach social events of the season. The luncheon boasts an extraordinary silent auction offering a wide selection of new or gently used authentic designer handbags, a beautiful lunch served in one of The Breakers’ oceanfront ballrooms and a celebrity speaker.
Past event sponsors include Saks Fifth Avenue, YVEL, Tiffany & Co. and Palm Beach Media Group. Would you like to be a partner of our signature event? Could your company benefit from exposure to our guest list? Consider a sponsorship with the Center for Family Services by supporting the Old Bags Luncheon.
For information about this event, please contact Ellen Vaughan, Chief Development Officer at evaughan@ctrfam.org
