Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders in Real Estate for 2024. The leaders of real estate do so much more than buying and selling property. Within the primary real estate sectors of land, commercial, industrial, and residential, many top-level professionals are needed to keep things moving, including leaders in development, management, lending, sales, marketing, and professional services like law and accounting.
Simply put, the leaders of real estate help facilitate dreams. And women leaders are truly the backbone of the industry, making up the majority of real estate professionals for over 45 years.
Join us as we celebrate Leigh Griffin, the Senior Managing Director for Cushman & Wakefield who leads the Property Management business in Florida. Griffin oversees one of the country’s largest property and facilities management portfolios.
Next, we acknowledge Chelby Sanders, a Managing Principal for Cresa, the world’s largest occupier-only commercial real estate firm. In her role, Sanders utilizes her passion for bringing people and possibilities together to create spaces for companies that go beyond.
Finally, we extend our honors to Lea Ann Molineux, VP of Real Estate Delivery for McKesson, a leading healthcare company, leveraging her three decades of diversified real estate and organizational leadership experience to drive innovation and lead her team forward.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders in Real Estate for 2024.
1). Stephanie Dorsey
CEO, Siemens Real Estate Services, North America
Stephanie Dorsey serves as the CEO of Siemens Real Estate. She is responsible for overseeing the corporation’s extensive portfolio of locations and Siemens construction projects across the region. Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare.
Having worked most recently as a vice president of global real estate at a Fortune 500 power management company, Dorsey’s experience in formulating and implementing real-estate strategy helps Siemens USA develop a strong approach to the market. She has two decades of real estate experience, having managed a portfolio of more than 700 locations of manufacturing and non-manufacturing facilities around the world. She is experienced in leading strategy development, process engineering, and change management to drive business performance transformation. She is also a proven thought leader, known for her leadership skills, strategic thinking, and relationship-building at all levels of an organization.
Before joining Siemens, Dorsey was a vice president of global real estate at Aeton. Before that, she was an executive vice president of strategic initiatives and corporate operations at Forest City Realty Trust. Earlier in her career, she worked with National City Bank in a retail management development program. Dorsey is an alumna of Miami (Ohio) University and received her Master of Business Administration from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. She has held several board positions, including her work on the District Board of Directors for the American Heart Association.
2). Jeri Ballard
Executive VP, Real Estate, Business Service Centres, & Corporate, Travel, Shell
Jeri Ballard is currently the Executive Vice President of Real Estate, Business Operations Centers, and Corporate Travel at Shell and is responsible for leading a team that delivers real estate and facilities management to Shell businesses in over 40 countries. Shell is a global energy company with around 87,000 employees in more than 70 countries.
Ballard began her career with Westinghouse Electric and has held management positions with Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) and Dynegy Inc., where she was the senior director of global facilities management. She joined Shell in Houston in 2004 and has served on the board of Shell entities, including being the Chairperson of the Board for Triton Diagnostics from 2005 to 2010.
Ballard has been active in several industry and civic organizations, including the Houston Downtown Management District, where she was on the board of directors and Chair of the Operations Committee. She is currently on the board of directors for CoreNet. Ballard is a native of Ohio and received her Bachelor of Science in Transportation, Logistics, and Aviation Management from Ohio State University and an MBA in International Finance from the University of Connecticut.
4). Sabrina Solomiany
Senior Managing Director - National Head of Medical & Life Sciences, Berkadia
Sabrina Solomiany joined Berkadia in June 2022 as a Senior Managing Director of Investment Sales and the National Head of Medical and Life Sciences. Berkadia is a leader in the commercial real estate industry. Solomiany specializes in providing healthcare and life sciences real estate investors with acquisition, disposition, debt placement, and recapitalization strategies. Her expertise spans various specialties of healthcare real estate, including medical office buildings, life sciences, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, short-and long-term acute care hospitals, behavioral health, surgical hospitals, cancer centers, proton therapy, specialty hospitals, free-standing emergency departments, micro-hospitals, and urgent cares. Her clients include REITs, institutional investors, healthcare providers, developers, and private capital investors.
Solomiany brings 20 years of experience in commercial real estate to her role at Berkadia. She previously led CBRE’s US Healthcare and Life Sciences Debt and Structured Finance team, where she focused on debt placement, structured finance, and JV equity transactions. Before that, she was a senior director with CBRE’s US Healthcare investment sales team. During her time at CBRE, she oversaw the successful closing of more than 22 million square feet of healthcare properties valued at more than $6.5 billion across the sales, debt placement, and JV equity platforms.
Before CBRE she was with HFF, where she was involved in the execution of $1.65 billion in commercial real estate transactions, including office, hotel, multifamily/condominium, and retail transactions across the investment sales, debt placement, and joint venture equity platforms. Solomiany began her career as a Research Analyst at Heitman Real Estate Securities, LLC, where she worked alongside Portfolio Managers in the analysis of publicly traded Equity REITs. Solomiany earned an undergraduate degree in decision and information sciences (DIS) from the University of Florida.
5). Marie Anderson
Vice President, CBRE
Marie has been in the commercial real estate business for over 30 years. She specializes in investment sales and leasing. She represents institutional and private capital investors and sellers in the acquisition and disposition of all commercial property product types including but not limited to land, single tenant vacant and or net leased, retail, industrial, office, mixed-use, multi-tenant, and residential leased investments in Northern California and sales of net leased investments in other states in the US. Marie brings her clients a deep network of relationships, in-depth knowledge of the market, and a proven marketing approach for all her properties.
Prior to joining CBRE, Inc. Marie worked as Vice President with Meacham Oppeneheimer, lnc. in Silicon Valley as well as working with local and Southern California-based Commercial Real Estate Developers on all product types. Marie has closed thousands of real estate transactions across all product types.
6). Lori Muller
President US Division, EXIT Realty Corp. International
Lori Muller is a visionary leader and accomplished professional who currently serves as the President of the US Organization for EXIT Realty. With a wealth of experience in the real estate industry, Muller has made a significant impact on the organization and has played a pivotal role in its growth and success. Her journey in the real estate sector began years ago when she recognized the immense potential and transformative power of the industry. Armed with an unwavering commitment to excellence and a passion for helping others achieve their goals, she embarked on a remarkable career that would ultimately lead her to the forefront of EXIT Realty. In her role, Muller has been instrumental in driving the organization's growth and shaping its strategic direction. Under her leadership, EXIT Realty has experienced unprecedented expansion and achieved remarkable milestones, cementing its position as a leader in the real estate industry.
Throughout her career, Muller has honed her expertise in all facets of real estate, from sales and marketing to strategic planning and organizational management. She possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics and possesses a keen eye for identifying emerging trends and opportunities. She is renowned for her innovative thinking and her ability to inspire and motivate teams. Her leadership style is characterized by a unique blend of empathy and assertiveness, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture within the organization. She prioritizes mentorship and professional development, empowering individuals within the real estate industry to reach their full potential and thrive in their roles.
Beyond her professional achievements, Muller is deeply committed to giving back to the community. She actively engages in philanthropic endeavors, supporting initiatives that focus on elevating women, sexual assault centers, education, affordable housing, and empowering underserved communities. Her remarkable journey in the real estate industry and her influential role as the President of the US Organization for EXIT Realty make her a true beacon of inspiration. Her dedication, expertise, and passion continue to shape the organization's trajectory, driving it toward new heights of success while making a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals in the real estate industry and beyond.
8). Lea Ann Molineux
VP, Real Estate Delivery, McKesson
Lea Ann Molineux is a corporate real estate veteran with 30 years of diverse real estate and organizational leadership experience. Molineux leverages her experience, combined with a service mindset, to enable the enterprise through built environments that drive innovation. She has led various real estate disciplines across large and complex portfolios, including transactions, design and project management, sustainability, strategy, M&A, and facilities maintenance.
In her current role, she is privileged to work with an amazing team of professionals who leverage the areas of transactions, design, and project management to Deliver on McKesson’s mission of advancing health outcomes for all.
Molineux is the past president of the Philadelphia Chapter of CoreNet and holds an MBA in Economics and Finance from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. In her free time, she enjoys running on the Schuylkill River Trail and enjoying the fantastic restaurant culture of Philadelphia with family and friends.
10). Keri AmRhrein-Scott
Senior VP, Colliers International
Keri Scott is a Senior Vice President with Colliers, specializing in project leasing, building sales, and tenant representation for industrial and office properties. Scott represents more than 1 million square feet of properties, as well as several high-profile national and local tenants. Her focus is mid-bay industrial and flex office business parks; single- and multi-tenant industrial, and ground-up developments.
Taking a client-centric approach to each assignment, Scott ensures clients’ interests are kept in the forefront. She promotes a collaborative environment between landlords and tenants, leading to successful negotiations on behalf of all parties. She represents local owners and institutional REITs, including Stockbridge Capital Group, Starboard Realty Partners, and GLP, among others. Tenant clients include local and national concepts, such as Dyson, BigTex Trailers, Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Glide Rite Corporation, and many more.
Before joining Colliers, Scott was a director with Cushman & Wakefield for more than five years, specializing in landlord and tenant representation for the sale and leasing of industrial and flex properties. Her experience includes serving as a senior real estate manager with CAM Properties and as a member of CBRE’s Capital Asset. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Arizona.
View the complete list of awardees.
11). Julie Jones
VP, Ultra Luxury Sales, Douglas Elliman Real Estate
With over two decades of experience, Julie Jones entered the real estate industry on the recommendation of a close friend. Prior to her real estate career, she spent five years overseeing automotive dealerships in London, acquiring numerous transferable skills. Guided by broker mentors who played a pivotal role in her business development, Julie has become a sought-after expert in the luxury real estate market of South Florida.
Jones firmly believes, “There is enough business for everyone, and high standards of service will always, ultimately prevail." As a hands-on professional, she takes a personalized approach to her clientele, distinguishing herself as the sole agent within her firm to hold the title of Vice President of Ultra Luxury Sales. Respected for her approachability, professionalism, and ethical conduct, Julie's business thrives on referrals, repeat business, and her extensive network.
Integral to the success of her small team, Julie leverages her firm's robust corporate resources to provide quality experience. Employing solid strategic skills in listing properties, she demonstrates care for her clients by consistently delivering successful outcomes. Julie's calm, positive demeanor and unwavering commitment contribute to well-managed transactions and beautifully executed marketing. As a member of various professional organizations, Julie's creativity and innovative approach earned her a spot in the 2024 Who’s Who of South Florida Residential Real Estate, the 2023 RealTrends + Tom Ferry The Thousand rankings, and over $2.5 Billion in Career Sales.
Community-oriented and actively involved in multiple charitable organizations. Julie is a long-term member of The Royal Dames for Cancer Research and Tomorrow’s Rainbow. Jones takes pleasure in exploring the waterways of Fort Lauderdale during her leisure time. As a member of the Lauderdale Yacht Club, she maintains a strong connection to the local maritime community and the boating lifestyle that unites many. Julie takes pride in achieving a balanced life, allowing her to thrive professionally while enjoying all the offerings of her community in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
13). Tina West
Executive VP, Sares-Regis Group
Tina West is an Executive Vice President for Sares Regis’ Client Advisory team. In this national role, Tina is focused on growing the firm’s 3rd party management footprint beyond its 7-state and 37,000-unit portfolio.
Ms. West has more than 30 years of experience in the multifamily space, most recently as Executive Managing Director for the West Region at Cushman and Wakefield covering a portfolio of 110,000 units from Texas to California. In this role, she also served as the firm’s National Mixed-Use Leader. Just prior, as the Multifamily Practice leader at CBRE she launched the first-ever Multifamily Management Practice and led the Mixed-Use Specialty product line. Her role as COO of Capstone Real Estate overseeing the management of over 36,000 apartment units predicated on both national roles. She also held senior leadership roles at LMC Living (Lennar), Sunrise Management, and Monarch Group and has owned her own business focused on brokerage and property management of both multifamily and residential properties. She has experience in new development, repositioning, market rate, affordable, active adult, HOA, and purpose-built single-family rentals. Tina has built several management organizations from the ground up and has been successful in the launch of third-party endeavors at each. She is a seasoned leader and has led organizations with over 10,000 team members. A dedicated industry professional, Tina serves on multiple boards and leadership forums.
15). Traci Lehman
Executive VP, Sentry Management
Traci Lehman is the Executive Vice President of Association Management at Sentry Management Inc. She serves Sentry Management by supporting 6 Regional Presidents and a Senior Vice President of Business Development. She guides the Regional Presidents and Business Development teams in setting strategic goals for the over 45 divisions across the United States to help them meet their client service level commitments and overall financial goals. As part of the executive team for Sentry, Lehman works closely with other key executives in the company to develop long-term strategic plans to improve operations and drive revenue growth to be the best community management company in the country.
Before Sentry Management, Lehman served with Cities Management in Minneapolis, MN, for over 20 years. She guided the company's strategic direction, vision, and growth initiatives, as well as continued to oversee day-to-day operations at the company of over 50 employees. She was one of only a small handful of female presidents in the community management industry. In addition to her careers with Sentry Management and Cities Management, Lehman demonstrated leadership in the community management industry on a national and local level. She is a past president of the Community Association Institute-Minnesota Chapter and has served on the board of directors of the Minnesota Multi-Housing Association. She was committee chair of the CEO-MC Retreat Planning Committee with the Community Association Institute.
A Minnesotan through-and-through, she has lived in the north suburbs of Minneapolis most of her life and currently resides there with her husband. The couple has two grown sons. Lehman enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, and spending time with her family at her lake home on Lake Vermilion in Tower, MN, close to the Canadian border.
17). Leslie Swanson
COO, Tanger Outlets
Leslie Swanson is a commercial real estate executive with more than 30 years of experience in operations, management, and marketing, working with leading retail REITs, including Tanger Inc. (NYSE: SKT) and Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG). A respected thought leader in the industry, Swanson is known for her strategic mindset and successful record of driving corporate growth by creating new revenue streams and streamlining operations. She has successfully directed due diligence and integration efforts for over 135 acquisitions throughout her career.
Swanson has successfully developed new revenue streams for Tanger’s entire portfolio of shopping centers, resulting in $80 million in same-center net operating income growth. She has focused on the diversification of their portfolio, consistently elevating offerings through the addition of new brands and retail categories. In 2023, Tanger added 175,000 square feet in new retailer brands and opened three new shopping centers in high-growth markets. In addition, since 2020, occupancy has increased by 500 basis points to 97%. Swanson has led efforts to strategically embed sustainability into Tanger’s operations with a return-on-investment mindset, reducing their carbon footprint while also reducing costs to improve margins. Tanger has recently doubled its solar infrastructure, added over 160 new electric vehicle charging stations at their centers, recycled over 10,000 tons of waste, and converted 2,340 tons of waste into energy.
Before joining Tanger, Swanson spent 12 years with the Simon Property Group. As EVP of property management, she directed management and field operations for over 73 premium outlets, consisting of over 3,000 companies. Her earlier roles with Simon Property included serving as Southwest Region VP of property management, in Houston, Texas, and VP of marketing in Indianapolis and Houston. Swanson is an active member of the Commercial Real Estate Women Organization (CREW) and holds a Certified Marketing Director Certification from the International Council of Shopping Centers. Swanson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Organizational Communication Psychology from Illinois State University.
19). Lee Bradford
President, Property Management, D.R. Horton
Lee Hayes Bradford has a strong background in training and operations in the property management industry. Bradford is currently the President of Property Management at DHI Communities, Inc., a division of D.R. Horton, where she led the newly formed property management division. D.R. Horton, Inc. is an American home construction company incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Arlington, Texas.
Before this, Bradford served as the VP of operations and training at LMC Living, a Lennar Company, where she was responsible for designing and delivering training and software solutions for luxury rental communities. She also held senior management roles in operations training and education at Greystar, as well as director positions at Ginkgo Residential, Colonial Properties Trust, and Summit Properties.
Bradford holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Old Dominion University. Additionally, she obtained a Certificate in Workforce Training and Development and is a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance Certification, both granted by the Association for Talent Development (ATD).
21). Laure Thibodeau
VP, Quarterra Group
Laure Thibodeau brings 25 years of multifamily experience to her role as Vice President of Property Operations for the California, Georgia, and Tennessee region with Quarterra Group. Quarterra, previously known as LMC, has been built on the financial strength and entrepreneurial spirit of Lennar, one of the nation's leading homebuilders since 1954.
Thibodeau currently oversees a portfolio for Quarterra Group at various stages – from pre-development to ongoing operations. She has been involved in 20 lease-up communities and five dispositions with Quarterra Group. Thibodeau works side-by-side with the development team on underwriting and is involved in the pre-development planning and programming of all assets in the portfolio. She also works closely with all departments to ensure communities are achieving their goals and exceeding financial performance expectations. Thibodeau makes a positive impact on her teams daily with strong mentorship and a dedicated attitude to always doing the right thing, the right way. She believes in leading by example by staying active in the industry and innovating her approach.
Thibodeau has held roles across the industry with Carmel Partners, GH Palmer, and UDR, giving her a diverse background that includes lease-ups, acquisitions, dispositions, renovations, and repositions. Before joining LMC in 2016, Thibodeau was the regional property manager for UDR overseeing their portfolio in Orange County and Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of California with a Master’s degree in Regulatory Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology.
23). Jessica Norman
Executive VP, General Counsel & Secretary, Tanger Outlet
As Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, Jessica Norman leads Tanger’s legal organization, including its corporate governance and compliance functions, and she serves as part of Tanger’s executive leadership team.
Norman has nearly two decades of legal and regulatory experience in the public and private sectors, focused primarily on the commercial real estate industry. Before joining Tanger in September 2023, Norman served as chief legal officer of Independence Realty Trust (“IRT”), a publicly traded REIT that owns and operates multifamily apartment properties across non-gateway US markets. She joined IRT in 2016 in connection with the company’s internalization, after serving for two years as Managing Director, Corporate Counsel for IRT’s external advisor, RAIT Financial Trust. Earlier in her career, Norman worked in private practice with various prominent law firms, where she represented clients in sophisticated commercial real estate transactions.
Since 2021, Norman has also served as a board member and co-chair for the Nominating and Governance Committee for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region, which supports families on their children’s medical journeys with a community of comfort and hope. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a JD and a Master of Business Administration from Temple University.
View the complete list of awardees.
24). Meghan Henselwood
Managing Director, Transactions, Manulife Investment Management
Meghan Henselwood is responsible for acquisition activity across all property types and risk profiles in Western Canada on behalf of Manulife’s general account and third‐party clients. Before joining the firm, she worked at Lotus Capital as the director of acquisitions. She was responsible for sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and contracting real estate investment transactions across Canada while overseeing the underwriting and due diligence process. Previously, she worked at Cushman & Wakefield as a financial analyst. Henselwood began her career at one of Canada’s largest wealth management firms, evaluating companies and analyzing future investment products and opportunities.
Henselwood is passionate about advancing women in their careers and strives to do this through her involvement with CREW Vancouver as the CREW Vancouver 2024 President. She first volunteered on the membership committee before joining the board as co-director of events in 2022. In 2021, Henselwood helped spearhead the creation of the CREW Vancouver Leadership Awards, and in 2022 helped execute CREW Vancouver’s inaugural Leadership Awards Gala. She has been involved as a mentor in both the UCREW and regular mentorship programs.
Henselwood holds an MSc in Finance from Lancaster University and a BBA from Okanagan College, University of British Columbia.
25). Lori Krull
Executive VP, Sinatra
Lori Krull is a dynamic leader in the multifamily housing industry, boasting over 30 years of expansive experience. Her current role is Executive Vice President of Property Operations for Sinatra & Company. Her strategic acumen and execution prowess have been instrumental in transforming companies and boosting their performance under diverse market conditions.
One of her significant career achievements was during her tenure at Weller Management, where she served as a managing partner. Under her leadership, she helped grow a local start-up into an over 18,000-unit, multi-state industry powerhouse. Her responsibilities encompassed new business procurement, client relations, financial analysis, annual operating budgets, marketing plans, and corporate policy formation. Previously, Krull effectively managed thousands of units across multiple states, catering to a diverse client portfolio that includes local entrepreneurs, partnerships, and institutional clients.
Krull maintains an unwavering commitment to her industry. She served two years as president of the Tampa Bay Area Apartment Association and continues to contribute as a committee member for the Florida Apartment Association. A graduate of the NAA CAPS, LYCEUM, and NAAEI Instructor programs, she has also served as an FAA and NAA Delegate. Krull’s career trajectory serves as an inspiration in the multifamily housing industry. Her impactful leadership, professional achievements, and commitment to nurturing talent and industry growth truly set her apart as a dynamic powerhouse.
26). Jolene Weinstein
President, PorchLight Real Estate Group
Jolene Weinstein serves as the President of PorchLight Real Estate Group, leading a dynamic team of professionals committed to excellence. Joining PorchLight in February 2024, Weinstein brings with her 12 years of experience as a prominent leader at Realty Austin, culminating in her role as COO. Her leadership is characterized by innovation, empathetic communication, and a profound dedication to the real estate industry.
Weinstein consistently pushes the boundaries of traditional real estate practices and inspires her team to do the same. PorchLight has earned a stellar reputation among top professionals who are drawn not only to its esteemed name but also to its commitment to exceptional customer service, industry-leading training, and streamlined marketing solutions that enhance agents' lives and promote work-life balance.
Agents who align with PorchLight embrace its core values and uphold high standards of client care, focusing on quality rather than quantity. Weinstein serves as a mentor and collaborator, working closely with managers to enhance their leadership skills and foster team growth. In her coaching sessions, she emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, maintaining a positive mindset, leveraging tools for insights, and continuous self-improvement.
27). Kathryn Scarborough
President, Engel & Völkers Austin
Kathryn Scarborough is a fifth-generation Austinite and has been crafting a bespoke living experience in Austin for over 21 years with over $1 billion in sales, with $228 million in combined sales for 2020 and 2021. Scarborough is one of Austin's top luxury agents and has been recognized as the #1 Real Estate Agent city-wide by the Austin Business Journal in years past and consistently ranks in the top tier. She has achieved a reputation in Austin for providing quality service based on integrity, knowledge, and professionalism.
Under the mentorship of her mother, Scarborough was taught every aspect of the real estate industry. Their shared philosophy is "knowledge is power." She has exceeded her own expectations with over $150 million in 2021 alone, as well as being the company’s top producer from 2004 to now. She also set a record for the highest record sale in Austin’s history, selling a Lake Austin home listed for $38,900,000.
Scarborough was appointed President of Engel & Völkers Austin in 2015 when her family firm merged with the global brand and is recognized as being in the Top 1% of Texas Realtors (number 16 state-wide). She is a recipient of the DuPont Registry Top Luxury Real Estate Professional Award and is a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. She has been a distinguished member of the Million Dollar Guild, Realm, Luxury League, and Austin's "Elite 25" for the last decade. She was recently inducted into the top tier of the world's realtors through Private Office, which is an exclusive hand-selected group of 31 advisors in all of North America, that represent over $2 billion in sales annually in the most sought-after and desirable markets in the country. She serves on several nonprofit boards and has chaired committees for the Austin Children's Shelter for the last decade. She is also a board member of The Capital Campaign for Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, Dell Women's Trust, Women of Hope, and The Texas Realty Advisory Board, and she has served on the Austin Board of Realtors Grievance Committee. She graduated from St. Edward’s University with an undergraduate degree in corporate communications and marketing with a minor in psychology.
28). Tricia Brouwers
Regional Manager & Senior VP, Wintrust Mortgage
Tricia Brouwers is an international speaker and certified ambassador for the best-selling book, The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. In the last five years, she has delivered messages from this book to over 10,000 professionals in large- and small-scale events. The book was written to help individuals focus on the simple truths of obtaining extraordinary results in every area of their lives, work, personal, family, and spiritual.
As a beautiful compliment to her work in The ONE Thing, Brouwers most recently became a Certified Guide for Exactly What to Say by Phil M Jones to empower others through the power of their words. A Certified Life Coach holding multiple coaching credentials, coupled with her personal and professional life has led her on a journey speaking to and motivating audiences of 1 to 25,000.
With 30 years of corporate experience, Brouwers is the Senior Vice President and Regional Manager at Wintrust Mortgage. She’s a veteran in mortgages, sales, and executive management and leads a billion-dollar production team. She has built a brilliant platform for coaching real estate professionals to achieve greater productivity creating the “win-win” for them and her team.
29). Connie Yoshimura
Owner/Broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alaska Realty
Connie Yoshimura is the Owner and Broker for the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alaska Realty offices. She represents the Anchorage, Eagle River, Chugiak, Palmer, Wasilla, and Girdwood real estate markets.
Yoshimura has over 40 years of residential real estate sales and land development experience. She has developed such popular new home communities as Huffman Timbers, Turnagain View Estates, Potter Highlands, Sandhill Reserve, and Heritage Estates in Eagle River, as well as multi-family units and condominium developments.
Yoshimura has a Master of Fine Arts from the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and she uses her talent for writing to write popular real estate columns for the Alaska Journal of Commerce, Anchorage Daily News, and Homes by Design. She is a licensed real estate instructor in the state of Alaska.
30). Maria Cintron
Executive VP, Marketing & Developments, Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty
With more than 20 years of experience in luxury real estate sales, marketing, and project management, Maria Cintron leads the in-house team of marketing professionals at Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty who produce world-class strategies, messaging, advertising, communications, and collateral. Cintron also works directly with the brokerage's agents, strategizing and developing custom marketing plans for their businesses and their properties.
Cintron served for seven years as the co-founder, COO, and VP of sales and marketing for a firm dedicated to developing luxury second-home residences in resorts in Mexico. The firm’s signature project was a 54-home development in Punta Mita, Mexico. Before that, she was CEO and co-founder of CLB, a firm that specialized in providing management, marketing, and government affairs solutions to clients interested in expanding their markets and investments in Mexico and Central America.
As a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Cintron has served as a long-standing member of its Latin American and Caribbean Advisory Councils. She is the past president and founder of the Mexico City chapter of the Young Entrepreneur’s Organization and served as the organization’s international president from 2000 to 2001, after being an active member of the organization’s board for seven years. In 2010, Cintron was elected as a member of the board of trustees of the Alcuin School in Dallas, one of the top Montessori and International Baccalaureate programs in the US. In 2015, she was named president of the board for a four-year term and was instrumental in the school’s $20 million capital campaign.
View the complete list of awardees.
31). Chelby Sanders
Managing Principal, Cresa
Chelby Sanders is a Managing Principal for Cresa, the world’s largest occupier-only commercial real estate firm. Sanders has a passion for bringing people and possibilities together to create spaces for companies that go beyond. She believes creative thinking powers the vision and business of commercial real estate and can be the driver for the business, brand, culture, and bottom line.
With over 20 years in real estate, Sanders has been fortunate to collaborate on extraordinary projects. Hilton’s HQ relocation, a pivotal moment, marked the beginning of an inspiring journey for her. Facilitating the move of their 250,000 square-foot headquarters from Los Angeles to Tyson’s Corner, VA, was an honor, and equally memorable was the American Airlines' 1.2 million-square-foot project to reshape their HQ Campus following the merger with USAir.
Outside of real estate, Sanders is an entrepreneur and founded Titanium Commercial, an ambitious limestone quarry project in West Texas. She has assembled an expert team to steer the day-to-day operations, leveraging their individual strengths. She is also a co-owner of QB 6666s Ranch, a fully operating cattle ranch that feeds her passion for the outdoors and for horses and cattle. Sanders is a member of the board and finance committee for Fair Park First, Dallas’ hidden gem and home to the State Fair of Texas and the largest collection of Art Deco art and architecture in the US. She graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
32). Maura Flanagan
Vice President, CBRE
Maura Flanagan is a Vice President within CBRE's Advisory and Transaction Services practice in Chicago. In this role, Flanagan works with clients to develop and implement one-off and portfolio-level initiatives across various industries, focusing on project planning, analytics, and process management. Her professional experience ranges from multi-market office leases to large, strategic corporate headquarters transactions.
Flanagan’s responsibilities include developing real estate strategies and creating complex financial models to analyze each transaction and help convey the true impact of real estate decisions on a company’s bottom line. Before joining CBRE in 2015, Flanagan spent five years at JLL, where she worked as a lead transaction manager for Procter & Gamble's North America portfolio for office and warehouse transactions.
Flanagan earned her undergraduate degree from Marquette University with a double major in finance and real estate.
33). Vendy Chan
VP, Strategic Growth, NorCal, Team Leader, REALTOR, CENTURY 21 Real Estate Alliance Group
Vendy Chan is the Vice President of Strategic Growth for Century 21 Real Estate Alliance Group. She is a dedicated real estate professional serving the Silicon Valley/Bay Area for over two decades.
Chan’s passion for real estate is backed by her background with an undergraduate degree in geography and an MBA in Marketing. She has extensive knowledge of the Bay Area and has developed proven strategies to achieve the best results for both buyers and sellers.
A consistently recognized top producer, Chan has received numerous referrals from satisfied clients. Honesty and integrity are crucial in all her business transactions. She always exceeds her client's expectations by delivering extraordinary service with her strong belief in clients first. Chan is a powerful and persuasive negotiator whom buyers and sellers can trust in today's challenging negotiating process. Fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Cantonese, she is a multi-lingual realtor who excels in this culturally diverse real estate market.
34). Laura Brady
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Concierge Auctions
As the Founder and CEO of international luxury real estate auction firm Concierge Auctions, Laura Brady is responsible for leading the company and its aggressive growth. In ten years, she's driven the firm to over $2B in sales and placement on Inc. Magazine’s list of the fastest-growing companies in America for six years in a row.
Brady’s knowledge of high-net-worth clientele and her insight into the luxury real estate market has led her to be profiled by Fox News, CNBC, Bloomberg, the Today Show, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times, among others. She's been named One of the 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate by Inman News for the past three years and One of 25 Women to Watch in Global Luxury by Luxury Daily.
While Brady has a keen eye for branding and design, she is also a numbers wiz. These dueling traits led the Neiman Marcus Group to select her as a top corporate recruit from the University of Texas at Austin when she was only 20 years old. But inevitably, a lifelong love of real estate drew her in. After a quick stint of rising to be one of the top-selling luxury agents in the country, Brady was one of few who foresaw the pending market decline and wasn't afraid to take action. She founded Concierge Auctions and has been revolutionizing the industry since.
35). Linda Booker
Executive VP & CFO, Core5 Industrial Partners, LLC
As Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Linda Booker oversees the Core5 Industrial Partners assets and is responsible for the development and overall command of the company’s financial operations, including accounting, treasury, and finance functions. As a founding partner, she plays a lead role in the company’s financial planning and forecasting and works closely with executives from Core5’s Japanese parent company, Kajima, to ensure the company’s financial strength. She also maintains relationships with investors and key stakeholders.
In 2019, Booker was named a Woman of Influence by RE Forum for the second time in her career, an award that honors outstanding women in commercial real estate. The Atlanta Business Chronicle named her CFO of the Year for her invaluable contribution to the success of her employer, as well as the communities the company served. Atlanta Woman magazine chose Booker as one of 20 Women on the Way in recognition of her career accomplishments and community involvement. A devoted community volunteer, she currently serves on the board of directors and performs an officer role as treasurer of 3Keys, and she serves on the grant committee for Ribbons of Hope. Her past volunteer efforts with the greater Atlanta community include appointments with the Atlanta Children’s Shelter. She has also held positions with Haygood Memorial United Methodist Church. A graduating member of Leadership Buckhead, she previously served as the treasurer of the board of directors.
Booker holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Mississippi. She is a Certified Public Accountant and was the Gold Key Award Winner for receiving the highest grade in the state of Georgia the year she took the certification exam. Booker stays actively involved in her industry through memberships in the Urban Land Institute Capital Markets Council, Commercial Real Estate Women, the American Institute of CPAs, the Georgia Society of CPAs, and the Real Estate Investment Advisory Council. A former member of the National Association of Real Estate Companies, she served a post as president. Her past experience includes a 19-year term with Kajima’s former industrial company, IDI, where she served as EVP and CFO. Before joining IDI, she was a manager in MetLife’s Real Estate Investments Group. She started her career as an auditor for KPMG Peat Marwick.
36). Leigh Griffin
Senior Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield
Leigh Griffin is the Senior Managing Director and leads the Property Management business for Cushman & Wakefield in Florida. In this role, Griffin is responsible for growing Cushman & Wakefield’s client base, as well as maintaining and developing existing clients through a comprehensive and coordinated program of client care and service excellence, in five markets, including Savannah, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and South Florida. She oversees approximately 300 employees, and approximately 105 million square feet – one of the largest property and facilities management portfolios in the country.
With the uncertainty of the market, maintaining client relationships has become even more important across all industries. Griffin has made that one of her priorities and has had major success retaining and obtaining clients. Through a carefully crafted program, she ensures consistent communication and connectivity with clients allowing them to see the value of regional support that her Florida team provides.
Employee relationships are also critical given the challenge of retaining talent and identifying new team members to manage the growing business. Griffin does this by setting goals, not only for herself but for those who work with her. One key goal of hers has been to identify, train, and retain talent, and to break down silos and foster a culture of collaboration and camaraderie. She does this through a structured robust employee outreach program. Griffin is also passionate about mentoring and developing members of her staff to promote from within the organization when possible. Over her career, she has developed countless real estate professionals into property management and leadership roles.
37). Jocelyn Vas
Senior VP, Sales at Final Offer, Final Offer
Passionate about driving innovation in the real estate industry, Jocelyn Vas proudly serves as the Senior Vice President of Sales at Final Offer. Final Offer is a consumer-facing cutting-edge technology platform with real-time offer alerts, transparency, and a buy-it-now option, dedicated to revolutionizing the way offer management and negotiations are done. With a proven track record in sales leadership and a deep understanding of the evolving real estate landscape, she thrives on fostering connections and creating solutions that empower real estate professionals.
Vas is the consummate brand champion and regularly works with agents on platform best practices. She also serves as the regular host of Final Offer's educational webinars, where she advises on property-specific strategies and interviews local agents who have had success on the platform.
Vas started her real estate career as a property management specialist and has been a realtor since 2009 in DC, MD, and VA, working with buyers, sellers, landlords, renters, and investors. A native Washingtonian, currently residing in Washington DC with her husband and two little boys, Vas was raised in a family of real estate attorneys and was immersed in the industry at an early age, giving her a unique advantage in market knowledge and negotiation tactics. She is a graduate of James Madison University and is also a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist.
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38). Lauren Vanni Kinard
President, First Excel Title, LLC
Lauren Vanni Kinard is an accomplished professional hailing from Northern Virginia, currently serving as the President of First Excel Title. Under her leadership, the company has made significant strides, expanding its operations into the south, and catering to clients in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Kinard's excellence and dedication have earned her numerous accolades. Her awards include the Class of 2021 Washington Business Journal Top 40 Under 40, three-time winner of the Stewart Title Pacesetter Award, Stewart Title Circle of Excellence Awards, Women Giving Back Golden Hanger Award, ALTA Our Values WE DELIVER individual national awards of excellence, and a 2019 Finalist for Heroines of Washington.
Beyond her professional achievements, Kinard is deeply committed to community service, having spent over a decade partnering, volunteering, and providing support to Women Giving Back. Her passion for making a difference extends to her role as the secretary on the Board of Directors for Women Giving Back and as the board president of HomeAid National Capital Region, where she made history by becoming the first woman to hold this position in 2023. With her exceptional intelligence and organizational skills, she continues to be an influential leader in her industry and community.
39). Anneke Greco
Vice President, JLL
Anneke Greco is a Vice President with JLL. Greco joined JLL’s Los Angeles office in 2013 after spending 10 years at CBRE, where she focused on agency leasing in the Los Angeles market. Throughout her career, Greco has been very successful in representing both institutional landlords and corporations, strategically positioning assets to maximize value.
Greco and her partner currently represent 18 buildings that comprise 5.5 million square feet of office space throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. Consistently recognized as a market leader with unsurpassed market intelligence and broker/client relationships, she continues to prove herself as a real estate expert. She works with a dynamic team of landlord, tenant, and investment brokers, and has participated in over two and a half million square feet of transactions in the last two years alone totaling $600 million in deal consideration.
Greco graduated from the University of Southern California with an undergraduate degree in business.
40). Julia Evinger
First VP Investments, Director National Office & Industrial Division, Marcus & Millichap
Julia Evinger began her professional career in marketing, first with the Florsheim Shoe Company, as sales promotion director, followed by a marketing manager with Wal-Mart stores in Bentonville, AR. Evinger has always had a strong interest in commercial real estate and has held a real estate license since 2002. She joined Marcus & Millichap in 2016 as an associate. She achieved success in her first year by earning a national sales award and Rookie of the Year.
Today, Evinger has ascended to First Vice President of Investments and Director of the National Office and Industrial Property Group. Along the way, she has earned several additional sales achievements, including the Senior Investment Advisor designation and National Achievement Award. Evinger founded and leads her own investment sales team, The Evinger Group, and is ranked among the Top 20 Industrial Investment Sales brokers in the firm. She is client-centric with many long-term clients working with private individuals, private funds, and institutional investors.
Evinger’s clients invest across primary, secondary, and tertiary markets throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Understanding and executing her client's objectives, along with her unrelenting drive have achieved sale prices, terms, and net proceeds exceeding her client's expectations.
41). Kathy Sawin
Executive VP, Metro Commercial
Kathy Sawin is an Executive Vice President for Metro Commercial. As an EVP, she is currently working on the retail leasing of mixed-use developments, including Ellis Preserve Town Center (PA) for Equus Capital Partners and Promenade at Upper Dublin (PA) for BET Investments.
Sawin has been involved in the master planning, merchandising, and leasing of iconic retail projects for the past four decades. Her focus is on the curated mix of national and local specialty retailers anchored by destination restaurants and innovative fast casual food concepts for such retail icons as Union Station (DC), Gallery Place (DC), Grand Central Terminal (NYC), the University of Pennsylvania retail district, and the original redevelopment of Suburban Square (Ardmore PA) from 1977 to 2000.
As a principal with Stanbery Development in the early 2000s, Sawin led the leasing of ground-up lifestyle centers. Her specialties are developing the retail concept for the property, executing the retail leasing effort, and ongoing marketing and management of the properties.
42). Isabelle Owens
Executive VP, Owens Realty Services
Isabelle Owens, the Executive Vice President of Owens Realty Services, brings a wealth of experience in successful business development, market analysis, and communications strategies to our team. Her career began in Manhattan, where she honed her skills while working under the mentorship of a $60 billion corporation specializing in luxury goods headquartered in the United Kingdom. Since joining Owens Realty Services in 2018, Owens has achieved remarkable results, including a remarkable 66% increase in overall revenue growth and spearheading a comprehensive corporate rebranding effort.
A proficient communicator, Owens has led numerous client relationship initiatives, deployed a new corporate training program, and played a pivotal role in new facility accreditation projects. Her dedication to innovation and adherence to best practices has consistently optimized field performance for our clients through a hands-on approach to leadership.
Owens holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Fordham University and holds Real Estate Licenses in New York, Florida, and Connecticut. Beyond her professional achievements, she actively contributes to her community by serving on AdventHealth’s Champion for the Children’s Board and the Victim Service Center Young Professionals.
43). Candice Burney
Chief Operating Officer, Ray Stone Incorporated
Candice Burney is the Chief Operating Officer of Ray Stone Incorporated, a full-service real estate investment and management company. She joined the Ray Stone Inc. team in February of 2023.
For over two decades, Burney has held a variety of leadership positions in the property management industry from smaller multifamily companies to tech-enabled and publicly traded organizations. Her well-rounded experience in leasing, selling residential real estate, managing multiple multifamily communities, and knowledge of standard operating procedures, provides her with a solid understanding of the Ray Stone Inc. portfolio.
In 2019, Burney earned her PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, focusing on applying research to increasing workplace productivity, employee selection, work-life balance, emotional intelligence, and helping with organizational growth. Besides her experience and accomplishments, Burney is known for her energetic and caring approach to leadership, making her an excellent match for Ray Stone Inc.’s mission, culture, and collaborative approach to management.
44). Lacy Beasley
President, Retail Strategies
Lacy Beasley is the President of Retail Strategies, a full-service advisory firm that works with municipalities on retail and restaurant business recruitment through commercial real estate connections. She serves on the board of trustees for ICSC, the largest not-for-profit membership-based retail commercial real estate industry organization. She also serves on the ULI Alabama Leadership Team.
The recipient of numerous awards, the Birmingham Business Journal has named Beasley nationwide Top 100 National Influencers in Commercial Real Estate, Top 40 under 40 for the Decade, one of Birmingham’s Eight Emerging Influencers, Who’s Who of Commercial Real Estate, and Women to Watch.
Beasley has spoken on retail trends and best practices in retail recruitment at hundreds of events across the US and Canada. Her articles have been published in Shopping Centers Today, Site Selection Magazine, and the Alabama Retail Federation. A graduate of Lipscomb University, she earned her undergraduate degree in business management.
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45). Jennifer Sutter
Executive VP, Acento Real Estate Partners
Jennifer Sutter is a dynamic property management leader who joined Acento in 2022 as Executive Vice President with a focus on support and expansion of the organization. With a career spanning more than 25 years, she has managed more than 30,000 diverse unit types, both conventional and tax credit, under owner and third-party management.
Sutter’s true passion lies in revitalizing and rehabilitating distressed assets, focusing on community enrichment and empowerment. As an honored recipient of the Property Management Association Stanley F. Reid Humanitarian of the Year Award and Carol Worley Distinguished Service Award, she is proud to be part of shaping the industry's landscape through impact. Before Acento, she held leadership roles at respected firms, such as Donaldson, Harbor Group, and Fairfield in asset management, property management, and operations.
Sutter is a speaker and trainer who holds her Accredited Residential Manager designation through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), is a licensed property manager in the District of Columbia, and is national compliance professional certified. She is a member of both IREM and the Property Management Association (PMA) of Maryland, where she has loyally served as a committee member and co-chair.
46). Kathy Makino-Leipsitz
Managing Partner, Shelborne Development
Kathy Makino-Leipsitz is the Managing Partner of Shelborne Development. Over the past 40 years, she has owned a historic hotel, a bar and restaurant, a travel agency, and a childcare center. Her career has focused on developing quality affordable housing creating over 2,000 apartment units in Southeastern Michigan with a special focus on preserving over 25 vacant, blighted, and historic buildings in Detroit, bringing life back to over 1,000 multi-family units within the city.
Over the years, Makino-Leipsitz has been recognized with several achievement awards. Her civic commitments and devotion to the redevelopment of Detroit include serving as the secretary of The Michigan Housing Council, a board member of The Heat and Warmth Fund, and a member of the Steering Committee for LOCUS/Smart Growth America. She also was appointed to the Wayne County Joint Airport Authorities Zoning Board of Appeals.
Makino-Leipsitz is a graduate of the University of Michigan–Dearborn with an undergraduate degree in economics.
47). Joy Peters
President, Signature Property Management
Joy Peters has 30 years of industry experience in, condominium association management and multifamily property management with extensive knowledge in large-scale reserve projects, rehabilitation, property acquisitions, and development. She has experience as an expert witness in trial proceedings.
Peters received her MBA from Ottawa University and also holds several designations, including Certified Property Manager from IREM and Certified Apartment Property Supervisor with the National Apartment Association. She is an Accredited Residential Manager and also has the M100 for Condominium Management through the Community Association Institute. Peters has been directly involved in the management of 18,000 units throughout her career and currently oversees over 8200 units in more than 70 resident communities with over 100 employees.
Peters is currently an active member of several apartment and HOA associations, including the Institute of Real Estate Management and Community Association Institute. Giving back to the community is a priority for Peters as evidenced by her involvement with Ronald McDonald House, Harvesters, Catholic Charities, American Red Cross, MS, ALS, and Cystic Fibrosis Fund Raisers. She also volunteers with IREM in the Kansas City Chapter as an expert panelist when needed.
48). Gabrielle Witkin
VP, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
The Washington DC Metro Area has been Gabrielle Witkin’s home for nearly 15 years, and she has learned the area inside and out living in Brookland, Petworth, Arlington, Logan Circle, Capitol Hill, and now resides back in Arlington. A former military brat, she understands what it is like to relocate. Her refreshingly grounded approach is centered around empowering her clients through real estate transactions to help navigate pivotal milestones in their life journeys – marriage, a growing family, the big move after a promotion, empowering a retirement dream, or moving closer to spoil grandchildren.
Witkin is a Vice President of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. Her relentless drive is fueled by her passion for learning about each of her customers’ unique dreams and ambitions and the joy that comes in aiding them to realize that next exciting step. Employing disciplines developed over the years as a management consultant for a top-five global firm, Witkin provides her clients with innovative, data-driven approaches throughout the listing and buying processes. This allows them to gauge market conditions, refine objectives, have realistic expectations, and make effective, informed decisions that recognize valuable opportunities.
When she isn’t working, you can find Witkin at the playground with her daughter, volunteering in her community, enjoying wine, cocktails, or good food at a local restaurant, traveling with her husband, or hosting friends in her home in Arlington.
View the complete list of awardees.