FORT WORTH, TX (Sept. 18, 2023) – Trademark Property Company, an investor, developer and operator of mixed-use districts, is elevating the next generation of women leaders in commercial real estate. The company recently promoted four women to vice president positions: Cassie King, Vice President, Design and Placemaking; Laura Hale, Vice President, Portfolio Marketing; Monica Luera, Vice President, Development; and Stephany Ruiz, Vice President, Experience.
Also in 2023, Trademark hired Nancy San Pedro as Senior Vice President, Asset Management, and in 2022, Trademark promoted Maranda Auzenne to Senior Vice President, Property Management. Together, Auzenne and San Pedro are managing the physical and financial wellness of the company’s national, 16-property portfolio of retail and mixed-use centers. Trademark also promoted Susan Howell to VP, Human Capital last year.
These leaders have implemented new methods such as:
- Quarterly dinners with other women in the industry discussing challenges and learnings.
- Research to get the female perspective on retail development and design decisions as well as programming to drive foot traffic and dwell time.
- A heightened focus on mentorship, collaboration and communication by creating space for deeper, one-on-one connections with team members.
According to the Commercial Real Estate Women’s Network (CREW), Women occupy 36.7% of the commercial real estate industry. This percentage has not changed much over the last 15 years. Women also continue to be less likely to reach top positions at their companies than men (source).
“Women aren’t the default presentation makers, note takers, or coordinators of meetings,” said Luera, who started as a research and office assistant at Trademark in 2010 and is now Vice President, Development. “I’m a big proponent that your job role should not be defined by your gender, and I’m proud to work with such a forward-thinking team.”
Knowing women make more than 80% of purchasing decisions and 66% of consumer wealth will belong to women in the next decade (Bankrate source), Trademark has been designing and developing shopping destinations with the female perspective top of mind. The company made national headlines 15 years ago for using focus groups to understand what area women want in their retail space (New York Times story here). Montesi believes the company is better positioned for growth because of its new wave of women leaders.
“As a group we are challenging ourselves to think differently, to innovate, to push new ideas that make our spaces, places and company the best in the country,” said Terry Montesi, CEO of Trademark. “We have a remarkable team, and I deeply value the diversity of thought that is palpable in our work environment.”