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We see real estate as much more than a transaction. That’s why we’ve created a collaborative, supportive environment that makes our clients feel comfortable and confident throughout the process. By combining analytical prowess with emotional intelligence and decades of Bay Area real estate experience, we offer an elevated level of care. We treat your concerns as our own. 

Carrie McAlister

Carrie McAlister

About Carrie

Carrie has made East Bay real estate dreams come true for nearly two decades, resulting in a total transaction volume exceeding $370 million and a business based on personal referrals and repeat business. Carrie’s intellect, intuition, and genuine concern for people drive her mission to positively impact her clientele and the community. In 2022, that mission culminated in Calia Homes , a company she created to support buyers, sellers, investors, and industry professionals. At Calia Homes , Carrie is building a culture of excellence and working to uplift the community by partnering with local nonprofits.
 
Part of Carrie’s legacy is her ability to make the complicated real estate process easy to understand. Her professional history includes being a management consultant for business and government leaders in the United States and abroad, including projects in Los Angeles, New York, Latin America, and the Middle East. This background, along with her industry expertise, makes Carrie an experienced and practiced problem solver with a rare analytical skill set. She runs the numbers and analyzes the data to find thoughtful and creative solutions for her clients.
 
Carrie is approachable, easy to get along with, and a lot of fun; but she has another side that’s forthright, no-nonsense, and tirelessly ambitious on behalf of her clients. She attributes this to her school days: “I have a Bachelor’s in Economics from UC Santa Barbara and a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School. So, I know how to study, and I’m able to enjoy a good beach party,” she says.
 
Carrie’s impressive negotiation skills, reputation for being compassionate yet forthright, and willingness to help everyone set her apart from the pack. Further, Carrie’s long-standing industry connections increase buyer competitiveness and facilitate smooth and successful transactions. Additional experience owning commercial properties and building houses from the ground up gives her even greater depth and breadth of experience.
 
Outside of the office, Carrie can be found working on her golf game, playing tennis, skiing, and spending time with her husband, John Protopappas, and their blended family — which includes four children, two dogs, and two geckos. She has sat on numerous charitable boards over the years, most recently as a Member of the Board of the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir and an Executive on the Berkeley Symphony Board of Directors. She is also a member of the 100 Club, which supports the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland.
Melissa Buwembo

Melissa Buwembo

Get to Know Me

Melissa first came to Calia as a client when she and her family bought their East Bay home—a journey that sparked her passion for real estate and gave her a unique understanding of the client experience. With nearly 20 years of marketing leadership at global brands like Salesforce, Facebook, and Electronic Arts, Melissa knows how to make clients and properties stand out. Her entrepreneurial path—as a financial advisor, co-founder, consultant, and small business owner—has given her a deep appreciation for bold ideas and lasting legacies, a perspective she now brings to real estate by strategically marketing homes and guiding buyers toward goals they once thought out of reach.

Deeply rooted in Oakland with her partner and two young boys, Melissa is also a dedicated community leader. She serves on the Board of Directors for the City Surf Project, advises entrepreneurs through the ICA Fund and the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, and fosters dogs through Copper’s Dream Animal Rescue. In her free time, she enjoys fitness, golf, tennis, dance, and family life centered on joy, good food, and good company.

Lucy Keoni

Lucy Keoni

About Lucy

Lucy Keoni brings over two decades of leadership experience across real estate, technology, and business strategy—with a proven track record of guiding individuals and organizations through pivotal transitions. As a proud member of the Calia Homes team, Lucy serves as both Director of Operations and a licensed referral agent, supporting clients and agents alike with systems that create ease, clarity, and results.

Lucy began her real estate career in 2004, quickly earning national recognition as a top-producing agent. Her path then led her into the world of tech and management consulting, where she advised global executives on customer experience, operational efficiency, and data-driven growth. This blend of frontline sales expertise and big-picture strategy allows her to bring both heart and rigor to every transaction and every team she supports.

She’s been honored as a “Top 40 Under 40” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal and a “Woman Worth Watching” by Profiles in Diversity Journal. Her superpower lies in translating complexity into calm: guiding clients through life transitions, building scalable systems, and uplifting people through every phase of life and legacy.

But Lucy’s proudest accomplishments are the lasting relationships she builds—both inside and outside of the real estate world. Lucy is also the founder of Humans of the East Bay, a storytelling project that captures the real, lived experiences of everyday people across the East Bay. Through portrait photography and personal narratives, the project aims to deepen connection, foster empathy, and celebrate the diverse voices that shape our local communities.

A Santa Clara University graduate, Lucy lives in Albany, CA, with her 7-year-old son. A devoted mom and community builder, she enjoys exploring the Bay Area and beyond with her son, supporting the arts, and creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to build beautiful lives.

Chris & Erin
 Katrina & Penny
Chiara and Cheryl
Emilyn P.
Michael 'Freddie' Veres
Bill B.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

This was my fourth time working with Carrie, and as usual, it was a great experience! She has always achieved deals (for purchase and sale) that I've been really happy with. And she has a great team at Calia-they can handle all the preparation legwork for you, so you can be as involved (or not!) as you want. Carrie's best trait, however, is being genuinely interested in the people she's working with. Sh...

— Chris & Erin

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Carrie McAlister came highly recommended to us by a close friend who also works in real estate. After our first meeting, we immediately knew we wanted to work with her. She is incredibly knowledgeable about the market, a thoughtful and responsive guide for first time home-buyers, and, frankly, fun to be around! What we didn't know is that Carrie also has a fabulous team at Calia Homes. Katie Cummins prov...

— Katrina & Penny

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

We are grateful to Carrie and her amazing team at Calia Homes for their steadfast support in selling our house. From our very first meeting, we were drawn to Carrie’s genuine warmth and expertise, which made us feel confident in our choice. Trust was paramount for us, especially as we navigated the many decisions involved in selling our home. During this journey, we faced the loss of a family member, wh...

— Chiara and Cheryl

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Carrie McAlister and her team are 10 Star. I have bought and sold real estate over 30 years and they were the best. Carrie and team take charge of the total process of selling your home from helping you clean out your space and getting it staged to even being there for any repairs necessary. They are flexible, easy to work with and always open to a Seller's input. One could easily hand Calia Homes the k...

— Emilyn P.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Working with Carrie McAlister was one of the best decisions I made during the sale of my uncle's home. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care turned what could have been a stressful process into a seamless experience. I only regret not hiring her sooner. Carrie’s expertise and dedication were invaluable, and I wholeheartedly recommend her and her team to anyone navigating a real estat...

— Michael 'Freddie' Veres

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Selling our family home was a complex process, and I’m incredibly grateful to have had Carrie McAlister and her team by my side throughout it. From managing all aspects of the pre-sale preparation and vendor coordination to navigating inspections, staging, and pricing, Carrie and her team handled every detail with care, precision, and professionalism. Their guidance helped us focus on improvements that...

— Bill B.

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