The commercial real estate services industry continues to be led predominantly by men. However, the field has significantly changed in the past 10 years as more women achieve success in this traditionally male-dominated industry.
Nowhere is this more evident than Cushman & Wakefield’s Phoenix office, where 21% of the company’s local professionals are now women. This compares to just 9% a decade ago.
“Having a diverse workforce is fundamental to the future success of Cushman & Wakefield; and for that matter, must be for any company that truly understands the marketplace today,” says Tom Johnston, senior managing director for the company.
“For years, Cushman & Wakefield has embraced the principal that the makeup of its workforce must reflect that of its customer base,” Johnson adds. “In addition, women bring a unique perspective to the table that we are able to leverage in every transaction and even every day to day encounter we have with the public, allowing us to deliver a unique and superior level of customer satisfaction.”
Cathy Teeter, director and senior operations manager, serves as the highest ranking female in the office. For the past 25 years she has overseen the financial, administrative and human resources operations. Teeter is a recognized leader on a number of national committees and training programs. She stands out in Phoenix and beyond, having been honored twice with the Cushman & Wakefield Operations Manager of the Year and Staff Professional of the Year awards for the Americas.
Jo Dance, MAI, SRA, CCIM serves as managing director/regional director of Valuation and Advisory, covering Arizona and New Mexico. Actively involved in commercial and residential real estate since 1986, Dance was the recipient of the 2011 Cushman & Wakefield Valuation & Advsisory National Quality Award. She is a member of the Governor-appointed Arizona State Land Department Board of Appeals, as well as an active member of AZCREW, NNCREW, Lambda Alpha Land Economics Society, Appraisal Institute and CCIM Institute.
Kathleen Holmes, MAI, RPRA, MRICS is a leader in Valuation and Advisory as senior managing director, and Government Practice Group Leader. Holmes utilizes more than 25 years of real estate appraisal experience that’s blended with a background in banking and federal government work to create a unique skill set. Her role is to serve government clients throughout the national in their valuation and advisory needs.
Stephanie Rinard also works in Valuation and Advisory. She joined Cushman & Wakefield in 2011 as an Intern while she earned her Master of Real Estate Development degree at ASU. She was hired this past May as a staff appraiser. Rinard earned her Certified General Appraisal license in Ohio. Rinard offers a variety of skills, especially preparation of feasibility studies including market analysis to provide land use and development recommendations.
Patti Farina, LEED AP, RPA, serves Cushman & Wakefield clients as senior portfolio manager in Corporate Occupier and Investor Services. Farina brings more than 16 years of experience to her position. Her responsibilities encompass all aspects of property management for office, retail and industrial properties. These duties include client relations, broker relations, financial review, capital and tenant improvements, as well as tenant retention.
The remaining Cushman & Wakefield female professionals can be found in the growing brokerage division of the company. They work in leasing and sales, applying their skills to all product types.
Summer Davis, senior associate in Retail Services, has worked both in brokerage and for retail corporations. Her leadership in the International Council of Shopping Centers, as well as her role in Cushman & Wakefield’s Future Leaders program enhances her representation of landlords and tenants.
Courtney Auther Van Loo also works with retail tenants and landlords, providing more than seven years of experience to her clients. She’s worked with leading landlords such as Evergreen Development and Pacific West Land, as well as retailers such as Bashas’ Inc. and Dutch Bros Coffee.
Chelsea Maddox, senior associate in Office Leasing works with tenants and buyers throughout Arizona. Maddox has worked with such tenants as OnTrack Tutoring, Grayhawk Pediatrics and Precision Endodontics. She is actively involved in NAIOP, AZCREW, ULI and the National Association of Professional Women, as well as Cushman & Wakefield’s Future Leaders
Jackie Orcutt, Associate in Industrial Properties works alongside powerhouse brokers Bo Mills, Mark Detmer and Will Strong. This top-producing team utilizes Orcutt’s background in Economics and Business Psychology to enhance their performance. Since starting her career in 2007, Orcutt has been involved in more than 47 lease transactions, 12 building sales and the sale of approximately 34 acres of land. She is part of the AZRE Brokerage Team of the Year 2011 and the COStar Power Broker 2011. Orcutt also actively participates in AZCREW, ULI, and NAIOP. She also is part of the Westmarc Economic Development Committee.
Cushman & Wakefield’s most recent female addition joined the Multifamily Advisory Group. Tara Lewis now serves as an associate with the team of Jim Crews, Brett Polachek and Jillian Lysakowski. Armed with a BBA in Finance and an MBA from ASU, Lewis will work with the group to do business development, market research and financial analysis.
