International Women’s Day Women Leads of Lee

International Women’s Day-Women Leader thought Lee & Associates

Today, we proudly celebrate the remarkable women leaders throughout the Lee & Associates organization. These are just a few of the amazing women who are a huge part of the success and growth of the company.

They exemplify dedication, mentorship, and outstanding leadership.

In the past year, three powerhouse women have established new offices under the Lee flag, and we anticipate this trend will undoubtedly persist.

Happy international women’s day!

 

 

 

Meet the Women in leadership

JESSICA MAUSER

Jessica Mauser is president of Lee & Associates East Bay, which serves the Bay Area, and is part of the largest broker-owned real estate company in North America.

Jessica first began her career in 2006 in an operations role, then onboarding with Lee & Associates in 2009 as a retail specialist. In 2018 she began managing a team of top-producing brokers specializing in Industrial, Retail, Medical Office, Multi-family and Investment sales.

In 2021, Mauser became the first woman to serve on the national Board of Directors of Lee & Associates.

She has a keen interest in attracting more women to the commercial real estate field, and in seeing more women achieve C-suite level.

Mauser points to data showing male domination in the commercial real estate industry. According to CREW Network, a global organization that aims to advance women in commercial real estate, women held just 9 percent of C-suite positions in 2020, the year they conducted a comprehensive study on the state of the industry. Still, there were signs that more younger women were entering the field; more women were becoming brokers; and more women aspired to the C-suite. In a later CREW survey, 80 percent of women said there were obstacles to advancement, with 52 percent saying they hit a “glass ceiling.”

As a manager, Mauser has brought in women to work in the industry and has mentored many along the way. She has made it her personal objective to grow mentoring and educational opportunities for women in commercial real estate.

Mauser sees an evolution under way in commercial real estate,  from brokerage flowing into corporate roles at large investment banks and ownership groups. She also credits SIOR (the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors), CREW, and others for promoting and highlighting the achievements of women brokers within their specialty practice group.

Jessica has been recognized nationally for her contributions to Commercial Real Estate including:

2024 ReThink “Top Retail Expert”

2022 GlobeSt.com “Woman of Influence, Investment Brokerage”

2022 GlobeSt.com “Top Retail Influencer”

2021 Connect Media “Top 10 Women in Real Estate: California”

 

AMY BROADHURST, SIOR, CCIM

Amy Broadhurst currently serves as President of the Lee & Associates Western PA office. She will be expanding the local office, while also continuing to focus on multi-market corporate services, consulting and local brokerage with a primary focus on industrial and flex product. Amy’s diverse experience in the local industrial and office real estate markets has enabled her to assemble creative cost saving solutions for her clients – whether it’s for a renewal, relocation or a portfolio consolidation.

KELLY NICHOLLS, SIOR

How I got started, straight out of UC Berkeley. Start date 5.5.1986. I was raised on a cattle ranch, worked as a teen in construction, worked in
landscaping and was known for having the sort of “Grit” that it took to be successful in those youthful physical jobs. The year I was to graduate college I happened to go to a party with my parents in the hills just outside of Palo Alto at a dear family friends house. I recall the couple was always exceptionally intelligent, classy but also had a more refined “grit” that came with the geography (next to Stanford University). Once at the party, the husband asked what I planned to do after college. I replied some sort of Tech sales in the newly emerging Silicon Valley. He immediately responded that I should look into Commercial Real Estate and put my never give up personality to good use. He gave me a calling card to all of his competitors, and I started in the Industrial sector of industry shortly thereafter. Oh, did I mention he was the then President of one of the largest commercial real estate companies in the Silicon Valley? (Steve Molds of Cornish & Carey). Steve & his wife Betsy became my lifelong mentors & most influential role
models. I will forever be indebted to both of them for their love and support. The rest, as they say, is history.

JULIA SILVA, SIOR

Julia Silva, SIOR, is an accomplished veteran in the field of commercial real estate with 29 years of experience. As the Founder & President of Lee & Associates Tampa Bay, she has established herself as a top-notch industrial broker. Throughout her career, Julia has successfully leased and sold over 24+ million square feet of commercial space, totaling an impressive transaction value of $3.5B+.

KARAH JENNINGS MCCONNELL

Karah Jennings McConnell is a founding Principal with more than ten years in the Commercial Real Estate industry. She started her real estate career
with NAI Carolantic Realty in 2013 after working with JP Morgan on the Institutional Equity Sales team covering the Southeast and Texas regions. Karah’s corporate and research experience are the foundation for her business development skills that lead into effective management of transactions. She primarily focuses on land and office properties, teaming with Moss Withers, SIOR, MBA.

JESSICA VASIL

Jessica Vasil serves as president of Lee & Associates – WBE. She is an accomplished executive with more than 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate services industry. With a value-centric approach and expertise in corporate accounting, budget management and risk mitigation, she leads a team of results-driven professionals who consistently deliver exceptional outcomes. Jessica has significant experience in the public, non-profit, financial, and private sectors.