WALTHAM, MA—Boston Real Estate Times announced its list of the 10 Outstanding Women of 2019 in Commercial Real Estate. They will be honored on Nov. 5, 2019, at the Westin Hotel in Waltham, MA.
“Boston Real Estate Times’ 10 Outstanding Women are playing a major role in Boston’s real estate market from architecture to construction and from development to finance,” said Upendra Mishra, publisher of Boston Real Estate Times. “When I started to cover commercial real estate industry in Boston in 1993, there were very few women in the industry. Now, they are at the forefront and leading the industry. We are excited to honor them.”
Boston Real Estate Times will host a breakfast ceremony to honor the 10 Outstanding Women from 7:15 am to 10:00 am on Nov. 5 at Westin Hotel in Waltham, MA.
To purchase a ticket, please click here. For sponsorship opportunities, please email [email protected] .
Here are the Boston Real Estate Times 10 Outstanding Women of 2019 in alphabetical order:
Sarah Abrams
Senior Vice President and Head of Global Real Estate
Iron Mountain
Sarah is Senior Vice President and Head of Global Real Estate for Iron Mountain, a Fortune 1000 company. In this role, Sarah leads a team responsible for portfolio strategy, transactions, project delivery and facility management for over 85 million SF across 56 countries. Sarah is a past president and current Board member of both NAIOP and CoreNet Global.
In her personal life, Sarah Abrams is an active member of the Temple Shalom of Newton community and played a key role as a volunteer in the major renovation of the Temple.
Last summer Sarah volunteered with two other members to lead an ambitious renovation of the synagogue building. During a year of planning and preparation, Sarah led the efforts to select an architect and contractor, and to develop a scope and design that was not only achievable in the summer construction window but also affordable, and transformative for its congregation.
Vickie Alani
Principal
CBT Architects
Vickie Alani is a Principal at CBT, nationally and internationally recognized for her artistic, community-oriented, and forward-looking approach to architecture and interior design. An expert in multi-family residential and hospitality design, Vickie’s work wholly embraces the fluidity and interconnectivity with which people live today. Regarded for her forward thinking and lifestyle expertise, Vickie is a frequent contributor to the larger discourse on changing residential trends and how to design for an evolving culture.
A prominent voice in the design community, she has been featured internationally at conferences and in interviews for her industry-leading insight. Augmenting Vickie’s work is her passion for mentorship and cross-discipline collaboration.
Respected for her leadership both among her peers and the Greater Boston community, Vickie’s influence extends to several local initiatives, including participation in the ULI Women’s Leader’s Initiative and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Advisory Board, while serving as a mentor for the BSA Women in Design Mid-Career Mentoring Program, and as host for the “Celebrating Contributions of Our Nation’s Immigrants” annual fundraising gala for the care of the Armenian Heritage Park on Boston’s Greenway.
Gable Clarke
Partner and Director of Interior Design
SGA
Gable Clarke, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED AP, Partner/Director of Interior Design at SGA, is the only female partner at SGA. She has shaped the organization, played an important role in strategic changes, and continues to attract top talent. Gable has been at SGA for more than 15 years, starting as Interior Designer and proving herself as she moved up the ranks to one of eight partners at the firm.
A member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), CoreNet New England (NE) and CoreNet NE Education Committee; recipient of the 2016 IIDA NE Leadership Award of Excellence; certified through National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED); and a qualified Generations Trainer, Gable continues to acquire new skills so she can provide the best for her clients.
Pamela Herbst
Managing Director
AEW Capital Management
Pam is a national leader in the real estate industry. As a Managing Director at AEW, Pam is the head of the firm’s Direct Investment Group where she is responsible for the firm’s core and value add clients. Over her tenure at AEW, Pam has grown the business unit to approximately $30.4 billion of gross assets.
Over Pam’s career, she has been very active in the real estate industry, nationally and locally, has served as former chair of NAREIM, a member of MA NAIOP’s Board of Directors, ULI trustee, council chair and on ULI’s investment committee.
Pam is also active in civic and community organizations, including as a member of the Board of United Way of Mass Bay and Merrimack Valley and former chair of the board of The Home for Little Wanderers. Pam has been a strong advocate for women’s advancement in the real estate industry. She has hired many women at AEW and has acted as a valued mentor to them, as well as others outside of AEW.
Danielle Justo
Partner and Chair of Real Estate Department
Rich May, PC
Danielle is the first female partner at Rich May and is now head of its real estate department. She has worked on sizable, complex commercial real estate deals, including the Lynn Gearworks site of the former GE plant.
In addition to her practice as an attorney, Danielle has led the firm’s efforts in creating a diversity and inclusion initiative. Outside of her work, she volunteers to help meet the affordable housing needs of deserving families on the South Shore. She is the co-chair of the Site Selection Committee for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth, Inc. and a member of the Corporate Advisory Board. Danielle serves on the Board of Governors for the Stoughton YMCA. Danielle is also a member of CREW, REBA, NE500, the Boston Club, and the Abstract Club.
Michelle O’Neil
President
Essex Builders Corp.
As the second generation of the Essex Builders team, Michelle has been engrossed in the construction industry since a young age and has acquired a deep understanding of the business. She joined Essex Builders in 2014, bringing more than 10 years of commercial real estate finance and investment experience. In her role as President, Michelle provides leadership and oversight for the company’s day-to-day operations, as well as strategic direction of long-term goals, business plans and policies.
Michelle is an active member of CREW Boston, National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), NAIOP Massachusetts and the Real Estate Finance Association Boston (REFA).
Jayne Rice
Partner and Director of Institutional Sales
Brookwood Financial Partners, LLC
Jayne Rice is Managing Director and the Director of Institutional Sales, Marketing and Investor Relations for Brookwood. She is a member of Brookwood’s and Yesway’s Executive and Investment Committees. Jayne has played an important role in growing both the Brookwood real estate portfolio, and also growing its convenience retailing business. In the past five years, she has directed the raising over $1 billion and was also instrumental in developing the convenience store brand and brand identity.
Jayne serves as a Director for Beverly Bank in Beverly, Massachusetts; is a member of the Board of Trustees of Endicott College; was a trustee of Brookwood School, where she served as the President of the Parents’ Association; and for many years was a Director at the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston and Girls Inc. of Lynn. She is a member of WIRE (Women in Real Estate); has been active with The Boston Club and The Commonwealth Institute, organizations that are focused on supporting senior women executives and entrepreneurs.
Kate Shoss
Vice President and Director of Marketing
The Bulfinch Companies
Kate has 15+ years of experience in the CRE and A/E/C industries. In her role as Vice President, Director of Marketing at The Bulfinch Companies, Kate is responsible for strengthening the awareness of Bulfinch’s brand and its portfolio of properties – 3.2 million SF and nearly $3 billion in assets.
Kate is committed to advancing women in the CRE industry, participating in initiatives that promote female mentoring, development and opportunities. She is involved in ULI’s Women Leadership Initiative Council, a group of women dedicated to promoting women’s advancement, elevation, and visibility as leaders. Kate is also an active member and champion of various industry organizations and non-profits including Building Impact, NAIOP and SMPS.
As a proponent of women leaders, Kate is actively involved in her community, coaching girls’ youth soccer and lacrosse in Arlington and serving as a Board member of the Arlington Soccer Club. As a competitive athlete throughout her youth and collegiate career, Kate credits the goal-setting skills and teamwork acquired in sports to many of her professional successes working in a fast-paced, collaborative, team environment.
Reetika Vijay
Managing Director
IA Interior Architects
Reetika Vijay is managing principal of one of IA Interior Architects’ most successful offices. She develops and implements the firm’s organizational vision, which integrates key international and local goals, priorities, and values. As leader of the Boston office, she builds successful internal and external coalitions, along with an office culture that stresses accountability and continuous improvement with measurable results, including being voted as one of Boston’s Best Places to Work by the Boston Business Journal.
As founder and executive sponsor of IAReach, a firm-wide program she launched with her team to encourage and organize local and global charitable initiatives throughout IA’s 23 offices, she has been instrumental in developing IA’s philanthropic mission. Under her leadership, IA offices partner with local charities monthly. IAReach has engaged with and raised awareness of United Way, metropolitan food banks, and women’s and children’s charities, among others. On a personal level, she supports and hosts fundraisers for Save the Children and serves on the Advisory Board for Massachusetts Center for Prevention of Cruelty Against Children.
Lisa Wexler
President & CEO
Elaine Construction Company
Few women are CEO’s of construction companies whose focus lies within the corporate and institutional sectors. This is significant, due to the complexities, exposure, and expertise required to manage the broad constituencies, Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, and the sensitivity of the environments in which we work. Not only has Lisa made a name for herself in this highly competitive, male dominated industry, she has consistently delivered a highly personalized service that results in an impressive list of core clients.
As a WBE, Lisa is personally involved in helping promote women. Personally, professionally, within her company, and in association with her clients, architectural and industry partners, Lisa rarely misses an opportunity to support the advancement of women.
