LEGACY LEADERS

B y ERIN THORBURN

Arizona’s 2023 Most Influential Women in Commercial Real Estate are determined, devoted and tenacious. Their stories of comeuppance in a male-dominated industry are inspiring, as are the lessons and knowledge they’ve acquired along the way. In an industry in which women occupy around 36% of the workforce, attributes such as tenacity and the ability to pass on experience and education are priceless.

In the spirit of extending what they have learned along the pathways of their CRE-related careers, past Most Influential Women and other CRE organization leaders, share about their personal journeys, as well as those who helped inspire them throughout their professional endeavors.

“There’s no greater satisfaction than impacting a community’s development and economic growth,” says Sintra Hoffman, president and CEO of WESTMARC and one of the Most Influential Women of 2016. “My career began in local government, where I was the point person for residential and commercial development in Surprise and most notably, the Prasada Mall project.

“I ‘cut my teeth’ on Surprise Pointe,” Hoffman says, “negotiating the agreement and guiding the infrastructure that laid the foundation for the city’s first movie theater and entertainment center, Uptown Alley.”

Today, whenever Hoffman drives along Loop 303, she can’t help but feel prideful to see the growth and quality of life impact Prasada has had on the city and West Valley.

Early inspiration

For Samantha Pinkal, vice president of business development at Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) and AZCREW president, the inspiration toward a career in CRE started early.

“My Girl Scout Gold Award project was to design and build a gazebo for the nursing home where my greatgrandmother lived,” Pinkal recalls. “Through that experience I grew to love construction management which led me to my career in commercial construction and further into other aspects of commercial real estate.”

Whether their career inspiration began in childhood or a bit later, many women throughout the Arizona CRE landscape collectively attribute strong mentorship as paramount to their journeys and success.

“I have several female leaders who have helped my professional journey,” Hoffman says. “However, two economic development leaders who have shaped my direction and decision making are Jeanine Jerkovic, economic development director at the City of Surprise and Cheryl Covert, economic development assistant director at the City of Avondale. Both Jeanine and Cheryl are highly experienced, passionate and influential leaders who are truly regional team players.”

Adds Carrie Kelley, one of the Most Influential Women of 2022 and former executive director of Arizona Association of Economic Development (AAED): “I had countless women mentors in my professional journey; but at the Arizona Association for Economic Development, I have been able to work with the most incredible and fearless women leaders. Since joining AAED, all of the presidents I have worked with were female — Nicole Snyder of Orcutt | Winslow, Mignonne Hollis with AREDF, Lori Collins with the City of Mesa and Wendy Bridges with the City of Goodyear. All these women were unique and talented in their own ways and leadership styles, and I was able to learn valuable things from each of them.”

Home-grown inspiration

For others, encouragement and mentorship has come from closer to home. “Frankly it was my mother,” says Cheryl L. Lombard, one of the Most Influential Women of 2016 and former president and CEO of Valley Partnership. “She (and my father) raised me to believe I can do anything — whether you are a woman or a man. We all have a purpose, we all can achieve what we work towards, education and hard work are the keys.”

As for propelling future CRE legacies, Arizona’s CRE leaders are happy to impart guidance.

“In every job you have, pay special attention to those things you love about it. Is it people, is it detail, is it problem solving? Whatever it is, with each next step in your career, try to do more of that,” Pinkal says.

Adds Hoffman, “My advice to those entering the field today is to make sure you’re passionate about the career you chose because others will invest in your product if they see and feel your passion. Finally, always surround yourself with smart people who bring a variety of skills to the table to complement your skills and vision.”

One the pages that follow, you will meet the Most Influential Women in Commercial Real Estate for 2023.

Most Influential Women In Arizona 2023

Most Influential Women in CRE for 2023

Dawn Bishop, Prologis

Jamie Blakeman, Lokahi Engineering

Jenna Borcherding, VanTrust Real Estate

Lynette Dreitz, Cawley Architects

Amy Fricke, LGE Design Build

Bonnie Halley, Colliers

Stephanie Handley, Clayco

Leigh-Anne Harrison, CHASSE Building Team

Angela Hood, P.B. Bell

Abelina Madrigal, Butler Design Group

Grenee Martacho, Concord General Contracting

LEADING THE WAY: Sintra Hoffman, president and CEO of WESTMARC; Samantha Pinkal, vice president of business development at Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) and AZCREW president; Carrie Kelley, former executive director of Arizona Association of Economic Development (AAED); and Cheryl Lombard, former president and CEO of Valley Partnership. (AZ Big Media file photos)

Heather Personne, Evolve Ventures

Danielle Puente, DP Electric

Michelle Rutkowski, MOR Studio

Andi St. John, CBRE