We’re proud to share that four Ascend Group advisors have been named Semifinalists and members of the Platinum Top 50 (PT50) Austin Class of 2027: The AdAstra Team, Mo Durán and Valentino Steenblik, along with Brandon Foskey and Melissa Cesena.
PT50 recognizes Realtors for much more than sales volume. Every applicant is evaluated across four areas: production (60%), community involvement (25%), professional development (7.5%) and industry involvement (7.5%). Production is verified directly with each applicant’s broker, applying is free, and the recognition can’t be purchased. It has to be earned.
Winners and Finalists in the Individual and Team categories will be announced at the PT50 Austin Awards Ceremony on December 16, 2026. Whatever happens that night, all four are members of the Class of 2027.
The AdAstra Team: Mo Durán & Valentino Steenblik
Ad Astra means “to the stars.” Mo came to the United States from Croatia as a foreign exchange student and found her calling in Texas real estate. Val spent nearly a decade in the Navy in aviation medicine, stationed across Asia, before moving to Austin in 2019. In 2024 they founded The AdAstra Team at Ascend Group, and they’re known for guiding sellers moving out of state, international buyers and military families.
Meet Mo Durán · Meet Valentino Steenblik
Brandon Foskey
Brandon has been in real estate since 2010 and has helped clients buy and sell more than 700 homes. His business is 100% referral-based. He’s available to clients around the clock, checks in on birthdays and holidays, and is still the person past clients call for a trusted contractor years after closing. He serves buyers, sellers and investors across Travis, Williamson, Hays, Burnet and Bastrop counties.
Melissa Cesena
From the stage to the closing table. Melissa started dancing at age three in Ohio, earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Akron and danced ballet and contemporary work professionally in New York City. She coached CrossFit and taught Pilates in Austin before earning her real estate license in 2021, and she now brings that same discipline to buyers, sellers and relocation clients across Austin and the Hill Country.
Congratulations
To Mo, Val, Brandon and Melissa: congratulations, and thank you for showing what it looks like to serve clients and community at this level. Learn more about PT50’s selection process at pt50.com.
