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Groundbreaking, glass-ceiling shattering or simply long overdue, women in commercial real estate are powerhouses, forging their way from the bottom up or through a series of calculated management moves. However they got there, these women are forces of nature, with high-level positions that are influencing the industry every day. And, if that was not enough, their commitment to young professional mentoring and community and civic endeavors gives a whole new meaning to the concept of multitasking.
DONNA ABOOD
Principal and Managing Director, Miami
Avison Young
Coral Gables, FL
As a 33-year veteran of the industry, top performer Abood has successfully leased more than 50 million square feet of office space in South Florida. She oversees the leasing division's business development of institutional/local investor clients and tenant services, including office, retail and industrial. She stands out from other brokers by orchestrating and managing several processes at one time. Abood was honored with the 2015 United HomeCare Claude Pepper Corporate Service Award, is a board member of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and sits on numerous other boards. The single mother with an extremely demanding career also makes time to mentor young brokers and volunteer at numerous organizations.
LAURIE BAKER
SVP, Fund and Asset Management
Camden
Houston
Baker is responsible for the creation, marketing and administration of Camden's first investment fund, with approximately $1 billion in assets. Her drive for excellence is apparent in every project she leads, especially in Camden's newest funds valued at about $450 million in total investment capacity. Baker demonstrates unwavering support of women in the industry, offering her time to mentor women within Camden as well as CREW Network, for which she is 2016 president. She also serves on the board of director's executive committee for the National Multifamily Housing Council and is a member of ULI's Multifamily Bronze Council.
MARIA BARRY
Community Development Banking National Executive
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Providence, RI
Barry's team of affordable housing bankers has consistently ranked among the top three in the US, having financed more than 150,000 low- to moderate-income housing units. With 30 years' experience in the industry, she has assisted in tens of thousands of financings for affordable housing units and managed the largest rental assistance housing deal in the nation. Most importantly, Barry is known for championing women in the industry as both a mentor and through her role in the bank's “Power of 10” organization and LEAD (leadership, education, advocacy and development). She was recently appointed to the Rhode Island housing board of commissions by the governor and sits on numerous other key boards.
DIANE BATAYEH
President and COO
Village Green
Farmington Hills, MI
Batayeh has gone far during her long tenure at Village Green, from starting as a part-time leasing consultant 36 years ago while in college to being promoted to president and COO last year, managing the firm through its ownership transition. One of her key initiatives is the University of Village Green, the award-winning professional training program in which she teaches executive management courses and mentors young women. Batayeh also leads VG Cares, the company's philanthropic program that raised more than $100,000 for US Ronald McDonald Houses last year. In addition, the company delivered 22,000 bottles of clean water to her hometown of Flint, MI.
SANDY BENAK
Leasing Manager
Granite Properties Inc.
Houston
With 30 years in the industry, Benak has been a leader and role model for young professional women and those new to commercial real estate. Taking on the new role of corporate marketing manager, she recently helped to initiate wellness community events as a company pilot program. Benak is an active member of CREW Houston and recently retired from the NAIOP Houston board. For more than 30 years, she and her husband have supported disabled American veterans, the Houston SPCA and Hearts for Ghana, which focuses on educating and saving orphaned children. Balancing multiple roles in her company and still finding the time to help others, whether fellow professionals, students, orphaned children or animals, are testaments to Benak's drive, focus and compassion.
GAIL BOWDEN
Senior Investment Advisor
SVN | Commercial Advisory Group
Sarasota, FL
With 31 years in the CRE industry under her belt, Bowden has consistently ranked among the top of her peers. She has cultivated a strong reputation in the business, known for ingenuity, a meticulous approach and the ability to navigate the complexities of venture capital, finance, construction and development projects. Her propensity for guiding clients to find appropriate financing solutions, coupled with her skill for identifying the most suitable investors for each deal, has contributed to a career sales transaction total of more than $200 million. Bowden recently earned the number three ranking within all 900-plus SVN advisors on a national level. Beyond her business success, Bowden also participated in launching a Women's CRE Forum to help other women excel in the commercial real estate business and lends her expertise to Habitat for Humanity.
SUSAN BRANSCOME
SVP and Managing Director
NorthMarq Capital
Cincinnati
Branscome is a commercial mortgage banking pioneer, leader, entrepreneur, role model, industry trailblazer and a mentor for tomorrow's female leaders. She is counted as one of only two women in the United States who launched a mortgage banking firm; was the first woman officer within the commercial real estate division of Bank One in Dayton, OH; was the first woman officer in Carillon Advisors' company history; and was the first woman—and is one of only two women—to sit on both the board and executive committee of Q10 Capital LLC. It has been said that a successful career can be found in a leader's continuity, focus, inspiration and teamwork. During her 36-year career, she has demonstrated those skills and has won numerous awards. Branscome also spends a considerable amount of time volunteering for the YWCA and Boys Hope Girls Hope.
JENNIFER CAREY
Chief Executive Officer
JLC Environmental Consultants Inc.
New York City
During her 29-year tenure, Carey and the firm she established have worked on more than 30,000 projects, including some of the most iconic properties in commercial real estate, providing environmental due diligence consulting services to real estate owners, developers and managers. She is past president of AREW and played an important role in creating the CREW NY chapter, where she currently serves as network director, a mentor in the CREW certificate of leadership program and an active donor to the CREW Network Foundation, which provides scholarships to young real estate students. At the New York Building Congress, Carey was deputy chair of the council of industry women and is active in the Women Builders Council, which was founded by women business owners.
SUSAN CARRAS
Senior Managing Director
HFF
Washington, DC
With more than 35 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, Carras is one of only three women with the title of senior managing director at HFF and is the only woman serving as an office head within the firm. In 2015, she was involved in approximately $1.4 billion of commercial financings in the Washington, DC and Virginia region. In addition to being a member of CREW, MBA, ULI and the Economic Club of Washington, DC, Carras serves as a board member for NAIOP; is a trustee emerita on the board of trustees for Lafayette College and is on the executive committee of the president's council higher achievement program; and is a past chair and sits on the board of trustees for McLean School. In terms of her dedication to advancing the role of, and opportunities for, women, Carras says a little voice asks her, “What did I do for a woman today?”
SHARON COLEMAN
Senior Director, Commercial Development
Vulcan Real Estate
Seattle
One of the first employees recruited to join Vulcan Real Estate, Coleman has helped to build a fully integrated team of commercial real estate professionals. The 30-year industry veteran is a dynamic collaborative leader who has helped to establish Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood as one of the country's premier centers of innovation, technology and human capital. During her tenure at Vulcan, Coleman has been instrumental in attracting organizations such as Amazon.com, the University of Washington School of Medicine and Google to locate within the growing innovation district of South Lake Union. During her career, she has served on the NAIOP board of directors, and currently is a member of the Preservation Development Authority Council of Historic Seattle, with vast expertise in adaptive reuse of historic landmark structures.
KIMBERLY COZZA
Vice President, Product Originations
Berkadia
Chicago
Cozza is a true leader and the definition of a woman of influence as she sets a tone of dedication in everything she does. She successfully completed a year-long breakthrough leadership corporate learning program hosted by Harvard Business School. At Berkadia, Cozza helped to bring the Fannie Mae platform from producing around $500,000 in volume a year to $5 billion in less than four years and, in the past two years, she averaged $1 billion of closed business annually, underwriting multiples of that number in both years. Cozza has been named to NMHC's 40 Under 40 and has served as the membership chair of the Real Estate Finance Forum for two years, increasing membership by more than 45%. On the philanthropic side, she will be running 200 miles day and night to raise money for PAWS Chicago animal shelter later this year.
KRISTEN CROXTON
Senior Vice President, Originations
Capital One Multifamily Finance
Newport Beach, CA
Since opening the West Coast office of Beech Street Capital in 2011, Croxton has been involved in more than $2.3 billion worth of financings. And ever since Beech Street was acquired by Capital One Bank a couple years ago, she has successfully expanded the bank's commercial real estate business with a year-to-date loan volume north of $550 million. Croxton is a board member for CREW-Orange County and is active in her children's lives as well, serving as a soccer coach for her kids' teams, treasurer for her daughter's Daisy Troop and an active PTA member. Croxton, whose career spans nearly two decades, says increasing roles for women in the business has given access to different ideas, experiences and approaches as women ascend to high-ranking roles at development firms, lending institutions, law firms, and management companies.
KAREN DOME
Managing Principal, Investment Sales
Coldwell Banker Commercial Advisors
New York City
Dome has spent more than 25 years in commercial real estate, specializing in investment brokerage. She is also a leader among women, participating in and leading various real estate organizations and charitable affiliations, encouraging young people to dream and work hard to follow their passions. Throughout her extensive career, Dome has brokered investment sales, asset management and dispositions of assets in excess of $700 million. She served as the president and chairman of the board of directors of CREW NY. Dome's charitable affiliations include her role as director of the St. Paul the Apostle homeless shelter, which is affiliated with the Partnership for the Homeless and New York City Department of Homeless, and she has served on the board of directors of Aid for the World.
MARY JO EATON
Global President, Asset Services and Valuation & Advisory Services
CBRE Group Inc.
Miami
Eaton has had a robust 26-year career in commercial real estate and has become a global leader in CBRE's asset services and valuations groups, leading a business line with responsibility for managing more than 2.9 billion square feet. Also playing an instrumental role in the merger of the Trammell Crow Co. with CBRE, in recent years Eaton was named as one of the top 50 women business leaders in Florida by The Commonwealth Institute and as one of the women changing the world of real estate by IREM. Eaton serves as the executive sponsor of the CBRE Hispanic Network Group, sits on on CBRE's Diversity Council and is a former board member of The Commonwealth Institute, a non-profit that helps women-led businesses be successful.
CHRISTINE ESPENSHADE
Managing Director, Capital Markets
JLL
Miami
The only child of a single mother, Espenshade was reportedly the first person from her suburban Atlanta county to attend Princeton University. She's come a long way since then, having managed the sale or recapitalization of more than $3.5 billion in multifamily investments during her 20-year tenure. Espenshade is also a member of JLL's Emerging Leaders program to foster the careers of rising stars among the firm. She is on the board of The Walters Art Museum, raising more than $8 million annually, a feat that has led to the elimination of admission fees. On the board of The Pratt Library, Espenshade chairs the building and grounds committee, is the president of the Princeton Alumni Association of Maryland and is a member of Capital Campaign Committee for The Calvert School in Baltimore. She also founded a women's networking initiative in Baltimore.
MARY FEDEWA
Executive Vice President, Acquisitions
STORE Capital
Scottsdale, AZ
Fedewa brings more than 20 years of experience in a broad range of financial services to her current role at STORE Capital Corp. Having co-founded the net-lease firm five years ago, she's helped to grow it into a $4-billion market cap company that trades on the New York Stock Exchange and is consistently ranked as of the best net-lease REITS by Wall Street. The STORE team originated $272.6 million of gross investments representing 86 property locations during the fourth quarter of 2015 alone. STORE has two women in its top five leadership positions, including Fedewa and the CFO, Cathy Long. For all her success, Fedewa never seeks out the spotlight herself and instead tries to elevate the profile of other colleagues around her, but her colleagues emphatically state that there is no way STORE would be what it is without Fedewa's efforts.
KRISSY GATHRIGHT
EVP and Chief Operating Officer
Apple Hospitality REIT
Richmond, VA
An industry thought leader, Gathright has been with Apple Hospitality since its formation in 1999, and was integral in helping it complete a listing on the NYSE. The 22-year industry pro has, of late, also led the development and implementation of a revision of an industry-wide management company fee structure. Actively involved in the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Gathright holds various council positions within both Hilton and Marriott and serves as a board member of both the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Greater Richmond YMCA, is president of the Courtyard Franchise Advisory Council and is a member of the Consumer Innovation Forum of the AH&LA.
SUMAN GERA
Managing Director and Head, Real Estate Asset Management
TIAA Global Asset Management
New York City
Gera recently transitioned from heading up asset management for the firm's international holdings to overseeing the entire $60-billion US portfolio. Of particular note is her advancement of the Asia-Pacific investments and entry into Australia during the past three years. She managed a team responsible for the general account's international equity investments of more than $3.5 billion. In addition, Gera facilitated the formation of a JV with a Swedish pension plan of more than $2 billion, an acquisition of retail and office investments of approximately $400 million, and a sale of more than $750 million in industrial and retail assets
LAURIE A. GRASSO
Partner
Hunton & Williams LLP
New York City
The sole female partner at Hunton & Williams's real estate practice in New York, Grasso's entire career has been about influencing the development of the real estate sector, both at her own firm and in the wider industry. When Grasso joined the New York office in 2012, the firm did not have a real estate practice in that location. Four years later, it has a major presence in the city, with more than 25 attorneys hand-picked by Grasso and a client list that reads like a Who's Who of real estate. Grasso serves as a mentor for younger lawyers and is also co-founder of Real Women of Real Estate.
DEBBIE HESTER
VP, Asset Management-Restaurants
VEREIT Inc.
Winter Park, FL
With 25 years in the business, Hester is a tenured specialist in restaurant real estate and a strong female role model for younger employees, men and women alike, as a manager and a mentor. In her capacity as vice president of asset management, Hester has the responsibility of training and mentoring junior associates and first-time professionals, which she finds rewarding as those professionals take that experience and develop it into more senior roles. During the past 12 months, Hester has negotiated more than 70 lease renewals as a part of 100-plus transactions. She is currently a member of the CCIM Institute, ICSC and NAR.
LEANNE JASKWHICH
Chief Financial Officer and Shareholder
NAI Earle Furman Commercial Real Estate
Greenville, SC
Jaskwhich is not the standard nominee for a “Woman of Influence” in the commercial real estate profession. She's not a volume-driven dealmaker, but she's impacting her company's success in a big way. The only female among NAI Earle Furman's management team and one of two female company shareholders, Jaskwhich is also the only non-broker shareholder in the company's 30-year history. This speaks volumes about how she is revered by brokers and staff. Jaskwhich is a board member of Pendleton Place, a former treasurer of A Child's Haven, a sustaining member and former finance VP of the Junior League of Greenville and a former board treasurer of Hands on Greenville.
LISA JESMER
Vice President, Office and Industrial
Franklin Street
Miami
In a field generally dominated by men, Jesmer has emerged as a power player. She came to Franklin Street last year after serving in senior-level positions at institutions for more than two decades. Jesmer has been a catalyst for the company's dramatic growth and instrumental in the launch of a robust commercial management division, with a focus on office, industrial and retail properties. Outside of her day job, she is involved with the the Miami Downtown Development Authority, the Brickell Area Association, Habitat for Humanity and Miami Children's Hospital, where she volunteers.
KATIE KAZAS
Senior Vice President, Capital Markets
CA Ventures
Chicago
With a style of her own, Kazas shines as a leader among a male-dominated executive board. She's spent the past two years of her 12-year career with CA helping to strengthen the company's debt portfolio to more than $1.5 billion. In the past 12 months, she's facilitated more than $990 million of acquisition, construction and permanent financings via 45 transactions. A longtime volunteer and fund raiser for Junior Achievement, Kazas was a NAIOP Chicago Developing Leader and participates in Habitat for Humanity. She juggles her duties while being a mother to two young boys.
TAMARA KNAPP
Chief Operating Officer
Bedrock Real Estate Services
Detroit
Having worked in the commercial real estate industry for more than 25 years, five years ago Knapp was asked to join in forming what would become one of the fastest-growing real estate and development companies in Michigan. Within the first four years, she worked to hire more than 350 team members from multiple disciplines; acquire and transition 70-plus properties totaling some eight million square feet; establish standard operating procedures for the entire company; and work with other local organizations and businesses to rebrand Detroit's city center. Knapp is the only woman to sit on the executive board at Bedrock Real Estate Services. She also volunteers with the Furniture Bank of Southeast Michigan.
ERICKA LeMASTER
SVP, Commercial Real Estate
Alliance Bank of Arizona
Phoenix
With 14 years of market knowledge, LeMaster is known for her attention to detail and ability to propose deliverable loan terms and meet tight closing deadlines. She also handles a large and complex portfolio including some of the bank's largest client relationships, a roster that includes many of the Southwest region's largest commercial developers and investors. In the past five years, she has closed more than $1 billion in new loan commitments, including $345 million in the past 12 months. LeMaster is involved with ULI Arizona, is one of the founding members and vice chairs of the chapter's Women's Leadership Initiative and was program co-chair of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
NANCY LUNDEEN
Partner
Allen Matkins
San Francisco
Considered one of the most respected CRE attorneys in California, Lundeen frequently represents clients in connection with many of the state's most iconic buildings and development projects. During the past 12 months, she's served as a lender lead counsel on nearly $1 billion in mortgage loans on various types of properties throughout California and in Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Hawaii, including a $505-million loan that closed in just two weeks. Lundeen served as co-chair of the CREW SF organization, which won the ELEVATE Association Ally award in 2016, and has spent much of her 37-year career helping to foster new leaders.
JANICE MacAVOY
Partner
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
New York City
Founder and head of Fried Frank's real estate litigation practice, MacAvoy is widely recognized as the “go-to” real estate litigator in New York City. She helps her clients resolve difficult situations, at times without resorting to litigation. MacAvoy has achieved numerous high-profile victories, including a significant one for Richard Cohen of Capital Properties in New York federal court. She is also a founding member of the firm's women's forum and is co-chair of its pro bono committee. MacAvoy additionally is an advocate for women's right to reproductive freedom, serving as lead signer in an amicus brief to the US Supreme Court in the reproductive rights case.
BETSY McCOY
Chief Legal Officer
Related Group
Miami
McCoy is a nationally recognized real estate litigation attorney. As chief legal officer, she applies her love for politics and lobbying skills learned from her father (a former national political lobbyist for organized labor) to advance the business goals of the Related Group, one of the country's largest developers. Named 2015 Legislative Liaison of the Year by the Builder's Association of South Florida, McCoy has been instrumental in achieving legislative action favorable to the real estate development industry while preserving consumer interests. With an all-female in-house team, McCoy manages to keep adversity to a minimum despite's Related's robust pipeline of 70+ projects.
JoANN McGUINNESS
Executive Vice President
Inland Real Estate Investment Corp.
Oak Brook, IL
McGuinness is an integral part of Inland's success, supervising due diligence for more than $20 billion in acquisitions and overseeing property management, leasing, marketing and asset management of over 35 million square feet of CRE and 7,500 apartment units. She was also instrumental in facilitating two successful liquidity events, including the $6.2-billion sale of Inland Retail Real Estate Trust to DDR Corp., which marked the fourth largest US retail deal, and the $2.2-billion merger of Inland Diversified Real Estate Trust with Kite Realty Group Trust. Additionally, McGuinness is a founding member of Inland's Women's Initiative Network.
SUSAN MELLO
Managing Director
PGIM Real Estate
Madison, NJ
Mello is a member of PGIM Real Estate's Americas executive council, founding member of its Women's Leadership Network and is on the Women's Advisory Council for the broader PGIM business. As portfolio manager for a series of value-add closed-end funds, she oversaw a dozen deals totaling over $1.2 billion of gross value during the past 12 months. In addition to sitting on the Urban Development and Mixed-Used Council of ULI and the tax policy committee of the Real Estate Roundtable, Mello is on the board of trustees of the College of St. Elizabeth in Florham Park, NJ, and is on its finance committee.
KAZUKO MORGAN
Vice Chairman
Cushman & Wakefield
San Francisco
Morgan has been involved in more than $5 billion of transactions in her career, consistently ranking as one of Cushman & Wakefield's top-producing professionals, and has been recognized several times as the number one broker for Cushman & Wakefield Retail Services. She handles multiple disciplines within the global retail services group, with assignments ranging from Las Vegas Sands' projects in Macau and Singapore to 2 Rodeo and similar high profiles projects within the US. In addition, Morgan is responsible for luxury urban retail sales and oversees a large team across numerous cities.
DORI C. NOLAN
Partner and Head of Investments
Capri Investment Group
Chicago
Nolan has a proven track record of sourcing high-quality multifamily investments and driving gains for Capri's investors. She is known to challenge conventional thinking and the status quo, not only benefiting Capri's investors but also making a large impact on the residents living in the apartments in which Capri invests. Nolan originated more than $300 million in new acquisitions during the past 12 months, and is active in the NMHC and the Executives Club of Chicago. A strong believer in teamwork, Nolan says that the industry still has room for improvement with regard to women in senior management.
BETH O'BRIEN
President and CEO
Colony American Finance
New York City
As the leader of an organization specializing in the single-family rental finance business, O'Brien is making decisions and creating solutions that have a major impact on a relatively new field within the world of CRE finance. Before joining CAF, her 25-year career has roles as EVP at Auction.com, managing more than $2 billion in loan sales and founding AuctionFinance.com, a proprietary private lender geared to the investor market. O'Brien is also involved in numerous charitable and industry-oriented organizations and is a founding member of the Mortgage Bankers Association's Rental Finance Council.
JANETTE O'BRIEN
SVP and Head of Production, Multifamily
KeyBank Real Estate Capital
Cleveland
With more than 25 years of experience in the multifamily mortgage banking business, O'Brien uses her knowledge and experiences to cultivate relationships and mentor peers. Under her leadership, O'Brien's team racked up $4.7 billion in 2015, a 38% increase from the previous year. O'Brien is a member of the MBA task force for a future secondary mortgage market, which aims to create an end-state model that can also fulfill an affordable housing duty. She supports charities including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation, National Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity.
LINDSAY ORNSTEIN
Partner
Transwestern
New York City
Ornstein's tenacious personality and her eagerness to be involved in different projects and initiatives has allowed her rise quickly through the ranks at Transwestern and the broader CRE industry. She works hand-in-hand with national leadership on growing the firm's presence in New York City, as well as promoting women within the company. Ornstein and her colleagues together developed a leadership initiative at Transwestern, aiming to build leadership roles around the natural strengths of women in order to elevate their roles in the business. She has also served two terms on the board of governors for the Young Men's/Women's Real Estate Association.
LAUREL OSWALD
Executive Director and Founding Partner
Tower Commercial Real Estate
Miami
Oswald's current responsibilities include business development as well as specializing in the leasing of approximately three million square feet of class A trophy office towers throughout South Florida. As a 17-year veteran in the commercial real estate industry, she and her team were recently awarded NAIOP's Office Brokerage Team of the Year. This was based on the completion of 71 lease transactions consisting of 558,814 square feet, valued at more than $230 million, which also included two of the largest leases recorded in South Florida during the year. In addition, Oswald serves as chair of the Corporate Council for the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alliance and is on its board, executive committee and Ambassador's Council.
DEBORAH PROCTOR
Vice President
Hunt Mortgage Group
Atlanta
After a 14-year hiatus, Proctor successfully re-entered the business with Hunt Mortgage Group as a member of the four-person Atlanta originations group, closing some $1.5 billion in loans. Most recently, she has focused on affordable refinancings (a $35-million portfolio) and moderate-rehab acquisition financings (a $90.4-million portfolio). Proctor is Hunt's first female production VP in real estate acquisitions and sales, with 18 direct reports in Atlanta and Dallas. She is a member of the Real Estate Group of Atlanta and Real Estate Investment Advisory Council. Throughout her career, Proctor has served as mentor and guide to young women entering and re-entering the profession.
VERED RABIA
Partner, Real Estate
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
New York City
As a partner in Skadden's global real estate group, Rabia stands out for her attention to detail, creative thinking and exceptional responsiveness. She began her career in hotel management at the Barbizon and the Plaza, where she started at the reception desk and ended as front-office manager. One of Rabia's most significant accomplishments was the $6.5-billion acquisition of Strategic Hotels & Resorts from affiliates of the Blackstone Group earlier this year. She also sits on the board of directors of the Innocence Project, dedicated to exonerating those wrongfully convicted, and is on the board of trustees of the New York Restoration Project, a nonprofit founded by Bette Midler.
ANITA PARYANI RICE
Vice President, Capital Markets
Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp. | IPA Capital Markets
Los Angeles
Rice's collaborative approach to business, constant drive to surpass her clients' expectations, and personal commitment to her family and community set her apart. She consistently ranks among the top capital markets professionals in the industry and is the top female financing professional at Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp. With high retention and direct referral rates among the keys to her success, Rice completed 41 transactions valued at more than $416 million in 2015. She's also a board member of the Progressive Osseous Heteroplasia Association, a nonprofit that raises funds to ultimately find a cure for the rare genetic bone disorder that afflicts her son.
DEBBIE ROGAN
EVP and Chief Operating Officer
Bellwether Enterprise
Cleveland
In a few short years, Rogan has helped to grow Bellwether from a local Midwestern firm with 17 employees to a national commercial mortgage banking powerhouse with more than 250 staffers, a loan production volume of $4.5 billion in 2015 and an annual servicing portfolio in excess of $12 billion. The 30-year vet also developed the firm's unique borrower loyalty program, Best Program, based on each borrower's year-end loan portfolio serviced at Bellwether Enterprise. She has long been a supporter and advocate of women succeeding in commercial mortgage banking, and as a mentor in the industry, regardless of gender.
AMY ROSE
Co-President
Rose Associates
New York City
As an owner of a 91-year-old New York City-based family business, Rose is an extremely active and hands-on leader. She oversees many of the firm's new developments while focusing on the growth of its third-party services. Rose is just as active in the industry, as a member of the Young Presidents' Organization, Real Estate Roundtable, ULI, ICSC, Young Men's/Women's Real Estate Association of New York, Real Estate Board of New York, the Women's Forum Inc., WX New York Women Executives in Real Estate and CREW New York. She's also on the board of the Jewish Museum and the Dean's Advisory Council of Literature, Science and Arts of the University of Michigan.
MARY ROTTLER
EVP, Leasing and Operations
Seritage Growth Properties
New York City
Rottler is responsible for leasing 266 retail properties totaling more than 42 million square feet across 49 states. In just 11 months with Seritage, she has built three in-house leasing, development and construction teams who have completed or initiated 25 redevelopment projects totaling 300,000 square feet of new leases. Rottler was able to make her mark on the retail industry rather quickly, ascending to the position of vice president of real estate for Wal-Mart Stores due to her out-of-the-box thinking and strong-minded nature. In addition to her business duties, Rottler mentors NYU graduates and oversees the internship program at Seritage.
DEBORAH RYAN
Partner
Squire Patton Boggs
Dallas
As the Dallas office's largest revenue producer and a recognized expert in her field, Ryan has more than three decades of experience, handling many high-profile real estate deals in Texas and throughout the US. She's always loved the law and enjoyed a thriving career, but at the same time sought to be involved in business, civic and in local government. As such, Ryan sits on the advisory board for the Dallas Regional Chamber and the board of directors for Downtown Dallas Inc., and is on the executive committee for the Dallas Assembly, where she is immediate past seminar chair and rising programs chair.
HEATHER SCHWARZ
Founder
EarlyShares
Miami
With a reputation as an innovator and industry thought leader, Schwarz frequently consults with Washington regulators on the rules, protections and concerns facing companies, investors and intermediaries in the new post-JOBS Act capital-raising environment. She was awarded the CREW 2015 Impact Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit, and insights and advice are regularly featured at industry events and in leading national publications. Schwarz, co-founder and chief strategy officer of two Miami-based startups, EarlyShares.com and Property.com, welcomes new investors into the private market through an emphasis on education.
ERIN DiPAOLA SPEARS
Principal, Fifield Cos.
Senior Vice President, Fifield Realty Corp.
Chicago
Spears has built a reputation as an objective, collaborative and data-driven leader in the male-dominated field of apartment development, acquisitions, asset management and capital sourcing. Her experience began as a young girl accompanying her father on construction site visits, followed by working on construction sites during summer jobs as a teenager. Spears often outworked those around her to win the respect of skeptical colleagues. She was eventually named the youngest-ever SVP at Fifield Realty Corp. Since joining the Fifield team in 2010, Spears has directed the acquisition, disposition and financing of $1.4 billion in commercial properties.
JENNIFER STACIOKAS
Senior Vice President
Pinnacle
Scottsdale, AZ
Staciokas has led a successful career in multifamily for more than 15 years. Her focus on mentoring others has enabled her to instill her strong leadership qualities in the many professionals that she helps to nurture. She is a frequent guest speaker at national and regional industry conferences. Staciokas serves on the NAAEI board of directors, curriculum development committee, advisory committee and new products task force, the NMHC operations and technology conference executive and emerging leaders committees, and is a member of the multifamily social media summit advisory board and Zillow multifamily advisory board.
STACY STEMEN
Marketing Director
Passco Cos. LLC
Irvine, CA
During her nearly four years with Passco, Stemen has driven the firm's corporate and project-based promotions forward, making her an integral part of the $1 billion-plus in acquisitions the firm has completed in that timeframe. Stemen has spearheaded employee relations programs that have successfully made each employee a true ambassador for the firm. She's the first marketing director to introduce the concept of an automobile inside an ICSC booth, the “Back to the Future” DeLorean in 2015 and the Batmobile in 2016. Beyond her professional prowess, Stemen received recognition in Entrepreneur as an expert on networking.
CATHY THURINGER
Principal
Trammell Crow Co.
Phoenix
Thuringer initially started as an entry-level employee with a construction company, specializing in multifamily construction in Arizona, followed by a position with a multifamily developer. She began her career with Trammell Crow Co. in 1988 as an administrative assistant, where she supported two Phoenix office leasing brokers and, over the years has shown a commitment to creating exceptional results and work on projects outside the scope of her job description. Having achieved her goal of being named a principal at Trammell Crow, Thuringer is now looking to diversify into other real estate product types and assisting in the career development of young talent.
SALLY FRENCH TYLER
EVP and Divisional President
First American Title Insurance Co.
Santa Ana, CA
Tyler's business achievements, including driving one of the highest revenue growth years in her business' history in 2015 (17% year-over-year), are only equaled by her intense focus on people. She's led her national division of 1,200 staffers to deliver financial results that exceed expectations for First American while creating more opportunities for women to excel. Tyler's “people first” approach has translated into an 87% employee engagement score for her division, according to a recent employee survey. The Women in Leadership program, co-founded by Tyler, has also helped to raise promotion opportunities.
KAREN WHITT
President, US Investor Services & Real Estate Management Services
Colliers International
Washington, DC
Whitt wears two hats at Colliers, both running the company's investor services arm and overseeing the US property management portfolio. She is serving on IREM's national executive council for a second term, NAR's large commercial board and BOMA's national advisory council. She has designations as an RPA, CPM and a Counselor of Real Estate, and is a founding member of (and the only woman on) the executive committee for Virginia Tech's real estate program. Most important is her work with DC's Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, where she is a board member and treasurer, fostering 28 dogs from a kill shelter in the last 12 months and more than 300 in the past five years.
TIFFANY WINNE
SVP and Branch Manager
Savills Studley
Phoenix
Few women have earned the track record and respect that Winne has achieved, within Savills Studley, the industry and among the larger business community. In addition to her brokerage responsibilities, Winne opened the firm's Phoenix office last year and serves as its branch manager. Throughout her career, she was one of the few women in commercial real estate to be named twice to Crain's Chicago Business 40 under 40 list of top young executives in Chicago. An active member of CREW, CoreNet Global and NAIOP, Winne has served on the advisory board of the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University and mentored students at DePaul University's Real Estate Center.
SIDEBAR
WOMEN OF INFLUENCE | HALL OF FAME
These standout professionals have been selected as Women of Influence so many times that they deserve their own category. These are the pioneers that are now looked to as role models for many professionals—male and female alike—in the commercial real estate business.
Karen Bellantoni, RKF
Debra Cafaro, Ventas Inc.
Faith Hope Consolo, Douglas Elliman
Annemarie DiCola, Trepp Inc.
Ann Hambly, 1st Service Solutions
Sharon Harper, Plaza Cos.
Jean Kane, Welsh & Colliers International
Darla Longo, CBRE Group Inc.
Laurie Lustig-Bower, CBRE Group Inc.
Goldie Wolfe Miller, Millbrook Corp. Real Estate Services
Jeanne Myerson, Swig Co.
Daun Paris, Eastern Consolidated
Sonia Ransom, Allen Matkins
Carol Rosenthal, Fried, Frank
Rosemary Scanlon, New York University
Darcy Stacom, CBRE Group Inc.
Tara Stacom, Cushman & Wakefield
Mary Ann Tighe, CBRE Group Inc.
This is an HTML version of an article that ran in Real Estate Forum. To see the story in its original format, click here. A special award ceremony will be held on October 5th at RealShare
Groundbreaking, glass-ceiling shattering or simply long overdue, women in commercial real estate are powerhouses, forging their way from the bottom up or through a series of calculated management moves. However they got there, these women are forces of nature, with high-level positions that are influencing the industry every day. And, if that was not enough, their commitment to young professional mentoring and community and civic endeavors gives a whole new meaning to the concept of multitasking.
DONNA ABOOD
Principal and Managing Director, Miami
Avison Young
Coral Gables, FL
As a 33-year veteran of the industry, top performer Abood has successfully leased more than 50 million square feet of office space in South Florida. She oversees the leasing division's business development of institutional/local investor clients and tenant services, including office, retail and industrial. She stands out from other brokers by orchestrating and managing several processes at one time. Abood was honored with the 2015 United HomeCare Claude Pepper Corporate Service Award, is a board member of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and sits on numerous other boards. The single mother with an extremely demanding career also makes time to mentor young brokers and volunteer at numerous organizations.
LAURIE BAKER
SVP, Fund and Asset Management
Camden
Houston
Baker is responsible for the creation, marketing and administration of Camden's first investment fund, with approximately $1 billion in assets. Her drive for excellence is apparent in every project she leads, especially in Camden's newest funds valued at about $450 million in total investment capacity. Baker demonstrates unwavering support of women in the industry, offering her time to mentor women within Camden as well as CREW Network, for which she is 2016 president. She also serves on the board of director's executive committee for the National Multifamily Housing Council and is a member of ULI's Multifamily Bronze Council.
MARIA BARRY
Community Development Banking National Executive
Providence, RI
Barry's team of affordable housing bankers has consistently ranked among the top three in the US, having financed more than 150,000 low- to moderate-income housing units. With 30 years' experience in the industry, she has assisted in tens of thousands of financings for affordable housing units and managed the largest rental assistance housing deal in the nation. Most importantly, Barry is known for championing women in the industry as both a mentor and through her role in the bank's “Power of 10” organization and LEAD (leadership, education, advocacy and development). She was recently appointed to the Rhode Island housing board of commissions by the governor and sits on numerous other key boards.
DIANE BATAYEH
President and COO
Village Green
Farmington Hills, MI
Batayeh has gone far during her long tenure at Village Green, from starting as a part-time leasing consultant 36 years ago while in college to being promoted to president and COO last year, managing the firm through its ownership transition. One of her key initiatives is the University of Village Green, the award-winning professional training program in which she teaches executive management courses and mentors young women. Batayeh also leads VG Cares, the company's philanthropic program that raised more than $100,000 for US Ronald McDonald Houses last year. In addition, the company delivered 22,000 bottles of clean water to her hometown of Flint, MI.
SANDY BENAK
Leasing Manager
Granite Properties Inc.
Houston
With 30 years in the industry, Benak has been a leader and role model for young professional women and those new to commercial real estate. Taking on the new role of corporate marketing manager, she recently helped to initiate wellness community events as a company pilot program. Benak is an active member of CREW Houston and recently retired from the NAIOP Houston board. For more than 30 years, she and her husband have supported disabled American veterans, the Houston SPCA and Hearts for Ghana, which focuses on educating and saving orphaned children. Balancing multiple roles in her company and still finding the time to help others, whether fellow professionals, students, orphaned children or animals, are testaments to Benak's drive, focus and compassion.
GAIL BOWDEN
Senior Investment Advisor
SVN | Commercial Advisory Group
Sarasota, FL
With 31 years in the CRE industry under her belt, Bowden has consistently ranked among the top of her peers. She has cultivated a strong reputation in the business, known for ingenuity, a meticulous approach and the ability to navigate the complexities of venture capital, finance, construction and development projects. Her propensity for guiding clients to find appropriate financing solutions, coupled with her skill for identifying the most suitable investors for each deal, has contributed to a career sales transaction total of more than $200 million. Bowden recently earned the number three ranking within all 900-plus SVN advisors on a national level. Beyond her business success, Bowden also participated in launching a Women's CRE Forum to help other women excel in the commercial real estate business and lends her expertise to Habitat for Humanity.
SUSAN BRANSCOME
SVP and Managing Director
NorthMarq Capital
Cincinnati
Branscome is a commercial mortgage banking pioneer, leader, entrepreneur, role model, industry trailblazer and a mentor for tomorrow's female leaders. She is counted as one of only two women in the United States who launched a mortgage banking firm; was the first woman officer within the commercial real estate division of Bank One in Dayton, OH; was the first woman officer in Carillon Advisors' company history; and was the first woman—and is one of only two women—to sit on both the board and executive committee of Q10 Capital LLC. It has been said that a successful career can be found in a leader's continuity, focus, inspiration and teamwork. During her 36-year career, she has demonstrated those skills and has won numerous awards. Branscome also spends a considerable amount of time volunteering for the YWCA and Boys Hope Girls Hope.
JENNIFER CAREY
Chief Executive Officer
JLC Environmental Consultants Inc.
During her 29-year tenure, Carey and the firm she established have worked on more than 30,000 projects, including some of the most iconic properties in commercial real estate, providing environmental due diligence consulting services to real estate owners, developers and managers. She is past president of AREW and played an important role in creating the CREW NY chapter, where she currently serves as network director, a mentor in the CREW certificate of leadership program and an active donor to the CREW Network Foundation, which provides scholarships to young real estate students. At the
SUSAN CARRAS
Senior Managing Director
HFF
Washington, DC
With more than 35 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, Carras is one of only three women with the title of senior managing director at HFF and is the only woman serving as an office head within the firm. In 2015, she was involved in approximately $1.4 billion of commercial financings in the Washington, DC and
SHARON COLEMAN
Senior Director, Commercial Development
Vulcan Real Estate
Seattle
One of the first employees recruited to join Vulcan Real Estate, Coleman has helped to build a fully integrated team of commercial real estate professionals. The 30-year industry veteran is a dynamic collaborative leader who has helped to establish Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood as one of the country's premier centers of innovation, technology and human capital. During her tenure at Vulcan, Coleman has been instrumental in attracting organizations such as
KIMBERLY COZZA
Vice President, Product Originations
Berkadia
Chicago
Cozza is a true leader and the definition of a woman of influence as she sets a tone of dedication in everything she does. She successfully completed a year-long breakthrough leadership corporate learning program hosted by Harvard Business School. At Berkadia, Cozza helped to bring the
KRISTEN CROXTON
Senior Vice President, Originations
Newport Beach, CA
Since opening the West Coast office of Beech Street Capital in 2011, Croxton has been involved in more than $2.3 billion worth of financings. And ever since Beech Street was acquired by
KAREN DOME
Managing Principal, Investment Sales
Coldwell Banker Commercial Advisors
Dome has spent more than 25 years in commercial real estate, specializing in investment brokerage. She is also a leader among women, participating in and leading various real estate organizations and charitable affiliations, encouraging young people to dream and work hard to follow their passions. Throughout her extensive career, Dome has brokered investment sales, asset management and dispositions of assets in excess of $700 million. She served as the president and chairman of the board of directors of CREW NY. Dome's charitable affiliations include her role as director of the St. Paul the Apostle homeless shelter, which is affiliated with the Partnership for the Homeless and
MARY JO EATON
Global President, Asset Services and Valuation & Advisory Services
Miami
Eaton has had a robust 26-year career in commercial real estate and has become a global leader in CBRE's asset services and valuations groups, leading a business line with responsibility for managing more than 2.9 billion square feet. Also playing an instrumental role in the merger of the Trammell Crow Co. with CBRE, in recent years Eaton was named as one of the top 50 women business leaders in Florida by The Commonwealth Institute and as one of the women changing the world of real estate by IREM. Eaton serves as the executive sponsor of the CBRE Hispanic Network Group, sits on on CBRE's Diversity Council and is a former board member of The Commonwealth Institute, a non-profit that helps women-led businesses be successful.
CHRISTINE ESPENSHADE
Managing Director, Capital Markets
JLL
Miami
The only child of a single mother, Espenshade was reportedly the first person from her suburban Atlanta county to attend Princeton University. She's come a long way since then, having managed the sale or recapitalization of more than $3.5 billion in multifamily investments during her 20-year tenure. Espenshade is also a member of JLL's Emerging Leaders program to foster the careers of rising stars among the firm. She is on the board of The Walters Art Museum, raising more than $8 million annually, a feat that has led to the elimination of admission fees. On the board of The Pratt Library, Espenshade chairs the building and grounds committee, is the president of the Princeton Alumni Association of Maryland and is a member of Capital Campaign Committee for The Calvert School in Baltimore. She also founded a women's networking initiative in Baltimore.
MARY FEDEWA
Executive Vice President, Acquisitions
STORE Capital
Scottsdale, AZ
Fedewa brings more than 20 years of experience in a broad range of financial services to her current role at STORE Capital Corp. Having co-founded the net-lease firm five years ago, she's helped to grow it into a $4-billion market cap company that trades on the
KRISSY GATHRIGHT
EVP and Chief Operating Officer
Richmond, VA
An industry thought leader, Gathright has been with
SUMAN GERA
Managing Director and Head, Real Estate Asset Management
TIAA Global Asset Management
Gera recently transitioned from heading up asset management for the firm's international holdings to overseeing the entire $60-billion US portfolio. Of particular note is her advancement of the Asia-Pacific investments and entry into Australia during the past three years. She managed a team responsible for the general account's international equity investments of more than $3.5 billion. In addition, Gera facilitated the formation of a JV with a Swedish pension plan of more than $2 billion, an acquisition of retail and office investments of approximately $400 million, and a sale of more than $750 million in industrial and retail assets
LAURIE A. GRASSO
Partner
The sole female partner at
DEBBIE HESTER
VP, Asset Management-Restaurants
VEREIT Inc.
Winter Park, FL
With 25 years in the business, Hester is a tenured specialist in restaurant real estate and a strong female role model for younger employees, men and women alike, as a manager and a mentor. In her capacity as vice president of asset management, Hester has the responsibility of training and mentoring junior associates and first-time professionals, which she finds rewarding as those professionals take that experience and develop it into more senior roles. During the past 12 months, Hester has negotiated more than 70 lease renewals as a part of 100-plus transactions. She is currently a member of the CCIM Institute, ICSC and NAR.
LEANNE JASKWHICH
Chief Financial Officer and Shareholder
NAI Earle Furman Commercial Real Estate
Greenville, SC
Jaskwhich is not the standard nominee for a “Woman of Influence” in the commercial real estate profession. She's not a volume-driven dealmaker, but she's impacting her company's success in a big way. The only female among NAI Earle Furman's management team and one of two female company shareholders, Jaskwhich is also the only non-broker shareholder in the company's 30-year history. This speaks volumes about how she is revered by brokers and staff. Jaskwhich is a board member of Pendleton Place, a former treasurer of A Child's Haven, a sustaining member and former finance VP of the Junior League of Greenville and a former board treasurer of Hands on Greenville.
LISA JESMER
Vice President, Office and Industrial
Franklin Street
Miami
In a field generally dominated by men, Jesmer has emerged as a power player. She came to Franklin Street last year after serving in senior-level positions at institutions for more than two decades. Jesmer has been a catalyst for the company's dramatic growth and instrumental in the launch of a robust commercial management division, with a focus on office, industrial and retail properties. Outside of her day job, she is involved with the the Miami Downtown Development Authority, the Brickell Area Association, Habitat for Humanity and Miami Children's Hospital, where she volunteers.
KATIE KAZAS
Senior Vice President, Capital Markets
CA Ventures
Chicago
With a style of her own, Kazas shines as a leader among a male-dominated executive board. She's spent the past two years of her 12-year career with CA helping to strengthen the company's debt portfolio to more than $1.5 billion. In the past 12 months, she's facilitated more than $990 million of acquisition, construction and permanent financings via 45 transactions. A longtime volunteer and fund raiser for Junior Achievement, Kazas was a NAIOP Chicago Developing Leader and participates in Habitat for Humanity. She juggles her duties while being a mother to two young boys.
TAMARA KNAPP
Chief Operating Officer
Bedrock Real Estate Services
Detroit
Having worked in the commercial real estate industry for more than 25 years, five years ago Knapp was asked to join in forming what would become one of the fastest-growing real estate and development companies in Michigan. Within the first four years, she worked to hire more than 350 team members from multiple disciplines; acquire and transition 70-plus properties totaling some eight million square feet; establish standard operating procedures for the entire company; and work with other local organizations and businesses to rebrand Detroit's city center. Knapp is the only woman to sit on the executive board at Bedrock Real Estate Services. She also volunteers with the Furniture Bank of Southeast Michigan.
ERICKA LeMASTER
SVP, Commercial Real Estate
Alliance Bank of Arizona
Phoenix
With 14 years of market knowledge, LeMaster is known for her attention to detail and ability to propose deliverable loan terms and meet tight closing deadlines. She also handles a large and complex portfolio including some of the bank's largest client relationships, a roster that includes many of the Southwest region's largest commercial developers and investors. In the past five years, she has closed more than $1 billion in new loan commitments, including $345 million in the past 12 months. LeMaster is involved with ULI Arizona, is one of the founding members and vice chairs of the chapter's Women's Leadership Initiative and was program co-chair of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
NANCY LUNDEEN
Partner
San Francisco
Considered one of the most respected CRE attorneys in California, Lundeen frequently represents clients in connection with many of the state's most iconic buildings and development projects. During the past 12 months, she's served as a lender lead counsel on nearly $1 billion in mortgage loans on various types of properties throughout California and in Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Hawaii, including a $505-million loan that closed in just two weeks. Lundeen served as co-chair of the CREW SF organization, which won the ELEVATE Association Ally award in 2016, and has spent much of her 37-year career helping to foster new leaders.
JANICE MacAVOY
Partner
Founder and head of
BETSY McCOY
Chief Legal Officer
Related Group
Miami
McCoy is a nationally recognized real estate litigation attorney. As chief legal officer, she applies her love for politics and lobbying skills learned from her father (a former national political lobbyist for organized labor) to advance the business goals of the Related Group, one of the country's largest developers. Named 2015 Legislative Liaison of the Year by the Builder's Association of South Florida, McCoy has been instrumental in achieving legislative action favorable to the real estate development industry while preserving consumer interests. With an all-female in-house team, McCoy manages to keep adversity to a minimum despite's Related's robust pipeline of 70+ projects.
JoANN McGUINNESS
Executive Vice President
Inland Real Estate Investment Corp.
Oak Brook, IL
McGuinness is an integral part of Inland's success, supervising due diligence for more than $20 billion in acquisitions and overseeing property management, leasing, marketing and asset management of over 35 million square feet of CRE and 7,500 apartment units. She was also instrumental in facilitating two successful liquidity events, including the $6.2-billion sale of Inland Retail Real Estate Trust to DDR Corp., which marked the fourth largest US retail deal, and the $2.2-billion merger of Inland Diversified Real Estate Trust with Kite Realty Group Trust. Additionally, McGuinness is a founding member of Inland's Women's Initiative Network.
SUSAN MELLO
Managing Director
PGIM Real Estate
Madison, NJ
Mello is a member of PGIM Real Estate's Americas executive council, founding member of its Women's Leadership Network and is on the Women's Advisory Council for the broader PGIM business. As portfolio manager for a series of value-add closed-end funds, she oversaw a dozen deals totaling over $1.2 billion of gross value during the past 12 months. In addition to sitting on the Urban Development and Mixed-Used Council of ULI and the tax policy committee of the Real Estate Roundtable, Mello is on the board of trustees of the College of St. Elizabeth in Florham Park, NJ, and is on its finance committee.
KAZUKO MORGAN
Vice Chairman
Cushman & Wakefield
San Francisco
Morgan has been involved in more than $5 billion of transactions in her career, consistently ranking as one of Cushman & Wakefield's top-producing professionals, and has been recognized several times as the number one broker for Cushman & Wakefield Retail Services. She handles multiple disciplines within the global retail services group, with assignments ranging from Las Vegas Sands' projects in Macau and Singapore to 2 Rodeo and similar high profiles projects within the US. In addition, Morgan is responsible for luxury urban retail sales and oversees a large team across numerous cities.
DORI C. NOLAN
Partner and Head of Investments
Capri Investment Group
Chicago
Nolan has a proven track record of sourcing high-quality multifamily investments and driving gains for Capri's investors. She is known to challenge conventional thinking and the status quo, not only benefiting Capri's investors but also making a large impact on the residents living in the apartments in which Capri invests. Nolan originated more than $300 million in new acquisitions during the past 12 months, and is active in the NMHC and the Executives Club of Chicago. A strong believer in teamwork, Nolan says that the industry still has room for improvement with regard to women in senior management.
BETH O'BRIEN
President and CEO
Colony American Finance
As the leader of an organization specializing in the single-family rental finance business, O'Brien is making decisions and creating solutions that have a major impact on a relatively new field within the world of CRE finance. Before joining CAF, her 25-year career has roles as EVP at Auction.com, managing more than $2 billion in loan sales and founding AuctionFinance.com, a proprietary private lender geared to the investor market. O'Brien is also involved in numerous charitable and industry-oriented organizations and is a founding member of the Mortgage Bankers Association's Rental Finance Council.
JANETTE O'BRIEN
SVP and Head of Production, Multifamily
KeyBank Real Estate Capital
Cleveland
With more than 25 years of experience in the multifamily mortgage banking business, O'Brien uses her knowledge and experiences to cultivate relationships and mentor peers. Under her leadership, O'Brien's team racked up $4.7 billion in 2015, a 38% increase from the previous year. O'Brien is a member of the MBA task force for a future secondary mortgage market, which aims to create an end-state model that can also fulfill an affordable housing duty. She supports charities including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation, National Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity.
LINDSAY ORNSTEIN
Partner
Transwestern
Ornstein's tenacious personality and her eagerness to be involved in different projects and initiatives has allowed her rise quickly through the ranks at Transwestern and the broader CRE industry. She works hand-in-hand with national leadership on growing the firm's presence in
LAUREL OSWALD
Executive Director and Founding Partner
Tower Commercial Real Estate
Miami
Oswald's current responsibilities include business development as well as specializing in the leasing of approximately three million square feet of class A trophy office towers throughout South Florida. As a 17-year veteran in the commercial real estate industry, she and her team were recently awarded NAIOP's Office Brokerage Team of the Year. This was based on the completion of 71 lease transactions consisting of 558,814 square feet, valued at more than $230 million, which also included two of the largest leases recorded in South Florida during the year. In addition, Oswald serves as chair of the Corporate Council for the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alliance and is on its board, executive committee and Ambassador's Council.
DEBORAH PROCTOR
Vice President
Hunt Mortgage Group
Atlanta
After a 14-year hiatus, Proctor successfully re-entered the business with Hunt Mortgage Group as a member of the four-person Atlanta originations group, closing some $1.5 billion in loans. Most recently, she has focused on affordable refinancings (a $35-million portfolio) and moderate-rehab acquisition financings (a $90.4-million portfolio). Proctor is Hunt's first female production VP in real estate acquisitions and sales, with 18 direct reports in Atlanta and Dallas. She is a member of the Real Estate Group of Atlanta and Real Estate Investment Advisory Council. Throughout her career, Proctor has served as mentor and guide to young women entering and re-entering the profession.
VERED RABIA
Partner, Real Estate
As a partner in Skadden's global real estate group, Rabia stands out for her attention to detail, creative thinking and exceptional responsiveness. She began her career in hotel management at the Barbizon and the Plaza, where she started at the reception desk and ended as front-office manager. One of Rabia's most significant accomplishments was the $6.5-billion acquisition of Strategic Hotels & Resorts from affiliates of the Blackstone Group earlier this year. She also sits on the board of directors of the Innocence Project, dedicated to exonerating those wrongfully convicted, and is on the board of trustees of the
ANITA PARYANI RICE
Vice President, Capital Markets
Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp. | IPA Capital Markets
Los Angeles
Rice's collaborative approach to business, constant drive to surpass her clients' expectations, and personal commitment to her family and community set her apart. She consistently ranks among the top capital markets professionals in the industry and is the top female financing professional at Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp. With high retention and direct referral rates among the keys to her success, Rice completed 41 transactions valued at more than $416 million in 2015. She's also a board member of the Progressive Osseous Heteroplasia Association, a nonprofit that raises funds to ultimately find a cure for the rare genetic bone disorder that afflicts her son.
DEBBIE ROGAN
EVP and Chief Operating Officer
Bellwether Enterprise
Cleveland
In a few short years, Rogan has helped to grow Bellwether from a local Midwestern firm with 17 employees to a national commercial mortgage banking powerhouse with more than 250 staffers, a loan production volume of $4.5 billion in 2015 and an annual servicing portfolio in excess of $12 billion. The 30-year vet also developed the firm's unique borrower loyalty program, Best Program, based on each borrower's year-end loan portfolio serviced at Bellwether Enterprise. She has long been a supporter and advocate of women succeeding in commercial mortgage banking, and as a mentor in the industry, regardless of gender.
AMY ROSE
Co-President
Rose Associates
As an owner of a 91-year-old
MARY ROTTLER
EVP, Leasing and Operations
Seritage Growth Properties
Rottler is responsible for leasing 266 retail properties totaling more than 42 million square feet across 49 states. In just 11 months with Seritage, she has built three in-house leasing, development and construction teams who have completed or initiated 25 redevelopment projects totaling 300,000 square feet of new leases. Rottler was able to make her mark on the retail industry rather quickly, ascending to the position of vice president of real estate for
DEBORAH RYAN
Partner
Dallas
As the Dallas office's largest revenue producer and a recognized expert in her field, Ryan has more than three decades of experience, handling many high-profile real estate deals in Texas and throughout the US. She's always loved the law and enjoyed a thriving career, but at the same time sought to be involved in business, civic and in local government. As such, Ryan sits on the advisory board for the Dallas Regional Chamber and the board of directors for Downtown Dallas Inc., and is on the executive committee for the Dallas Assembly, where she is immediate past seminar chair and rising programs chair.
HEATHER SCHWARZ
Founder
EarlyShares
Miami
With a reputation as an innovator and industry thought leader, Schwarz frequently consults with Washington regulators on the rules, protections and concerns facing companies, investors and intermediaries in the new post-JOBS Act capital-raising environment. She was awarded the CREW 2015 Impact Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit, and insights and advice are regularly featured at industry events and in leading national publications. Schwarz, co-founder and chief strategy officer of two Miami-based startups, EarlyShares.com and Property.com, welcomes new investors into the private market through an emphasis on education.
ERIN DiPAOLA SPEARS
Principal, Fifield Cos.
Senior Vice President, Fifield Realty Corp.
Chicago
Spears has built a reputation as an objective, collaborative and data-driven leader in the male-dominated field of apartment development, acquisitions, asset management and capital sourcing. Her experience began as a young girl accompanying her father on construction site visits, followed by working on construction sites during summer jobs as a teenager. Spears often outworked those around her to win the respect of skeptical colleagues. She was eventually named the youngest-ever SVP at Fifield Realty Corp. Since joining the Fifield team in 2010, Spears has directed the acquisition, disposition and financing of $1.4 billion in commercial properties.
JENNIFER STACIOKAS
Senior Vice President
Pinnacle
Scottsdale, AZ
Staciokas has led a successful career in multifamily for more than 15 years. Her focus on mentoring others has enabled her to instill her strong leadership qualities in the many professionals that she helps to nurture. She is a frequent guest speaker at national and regional industry conferences. Staciokas serves on the NAAEI board of directors, curriculum development committee, advisory committee and new products task force, the NMHC operations and technology conference executive and emerging leaders committees, and is a member of the multifamily social media summit advisory board and Zillow multifamily advisory board.
STACY STEMEN
Marketing Director
Passco Cos. LLC
Irvine, CA
During her nearly four years with Passco, Stemen has driven the firm's corporate and project-based promotions forward, making her an integral part of the $1 billion-plus in acquisitions the firm has completed in that timeframe. Stemen has spearheaded employee relations programs that have successfully made each employee a true ambassador for the firm. She's the first marketing director to introduce the concept of an automobile inside an ICSC booth, the “Back to the Future” DeLorean in 2015 and the Batmobile in 2016. Beyond her professional prowess, Stemen received recognition in Entrepreneur as an expert on networking.
CATHY THURINGER
Principal
Trammell Crow Co.
Phoenix
Thuringer initially started as an entry-level employee with a construction company, specializing in multifamily construction in Arizona, followed by a position with a multifamily developer. She began her career with Trammell Crow Co. in 1988 as an administrative assistant, where she supported two Phoenix office leasing brokers and, over the years has shown a commitment to creating exceptional results and work on projects outside the scope of her job description. Having achieved her goal of being named a principal at Trammell Crow, Thuringer is now looking to diversify into other real estate product types and assisting in the career development of young talent.
SALLY FRENCH TYLER
EVP and Divisional President
Santa Ana, CA
Tyler's business achievements, including driving one of the highest revenue growth years in her business' history in 2015 (17% year-over-year), are only equaled by her intense focus on people. She's led her national division of 1,200 staffers to deliver financial results that exceed expectations for
KAREN WHITT
President, US Investor Services & Real Estate Management Services
Colliers International
Washington, DC
Whitt wears two hats at Colliers, both running the company's investor services arm and overseeing the US property management portfolio. She is serving on IREM's national executive council for a second term, NAR's large commercial board and BOMA's national advisory council. She has designations as an RPA, CPM and a Counselor of Real Estate, and is a founding member of (and the only woman on) the executive committee for
TIFFANY WINNE
SVP and Branch Manager
Savills Studley
Phoenix
Few women have earned the track record and respect that Winne has achieved, within Savills Studley, the industry and among the larger business community. In addition to her brokerage responsibilities, Winne opened the firm's Phoenix office last year and serves as its branch manager. Throughout her career, she was one of the few women in commercial real estate to be named twice to Crain's Chicago Business 40 under 40 list of top young executives in Chicago. An active member of CREW, CoreNet Global and NAIOP, Winne has served on the advisory board of the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University and mentored students at DePaul University's Real Estate Center.
SIDEBAR
WOMEN OF INFLUENCE | HALL OF FAME
These standout professionals have been selected as Women of Influence so many times that they deserve their own category. These are the pioneers that are now looked to as role models for many professionals—male and female alike—in the commercial real estate business.
Karen Bellantoni, RKF
Debra Cafaro, Ventas Inc.
Faith Hope Consolo, Douglas Elliman
Annemarie DiCola, Trepp Inc.
Ann Hambly, 1st Service Solutions
Sharon Harper, Plaza Cos.
Jean Kane, Welsh & Colliers International
Darla Longo,
Laurie Lustig-Bower,
Goldie Wolfe Miller, Millbrook Corp. Real Estate Services
Jeanne Myerson, Swig Co.
Daun Paris, Eastern Consolidated
Sonia Ransom,
Carol Rosenthal,
Rosemary Scanlon,
Darcy Stacom,
Tara Stacom, Cushman & Wakefield
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Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown is an editor for the south and west regions of GlobeSt.com. She has 25-plus years of real estate experience, with a regional PR role at Grubb & Ellis and a national communications position at MMI. Brown also spent 10 years as executive director at NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area chapter, where she led the organization to achieving its first national award honors and recognition on Capitol Hill. She has written extensively on commercial real estate topics and edited numerous pieces on the subject.
