MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN

from AZRE July/August 2023

The future’s so BRIGHT for major manufacturing developments

Jamie Blakeman

Ceo

Lokahi Engineering

Background: Blakeman began her traffic engineering career 25 years ago. Her vision of shaping a collaborative environment that integrates creativity and outside-the-box thinking ignited her dream to launch L kahi. She innovatively creates solutions to increase mobility and provide equality between all modes of transportation while also improving safety. Additionally, Blakeman’s work focuses on supporting economic vitality.

Inspiration: “I cannot take the credit here. It is really others around me who encouraged, inspired, believed in me, and pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. Of course, taking all things to prayer, I have taken leaps of faith every day and I am living a life and career I never dreamed of.”

Source of pride: “The accomplishment I am most proud of is the environment we have created at L kahi. Daily, I am in awe of everything from the depth of character and dedication of my team, to our amazing and incredibly loyal clients, who are also our greatest cheerleaders. It is an amazing community.”

Supporting cast: “First, my team is my top supporter every minute of every day. We stick together through all the ups and downs and challenges. Second, our clients. Once we stepped out as L kahi, I was amazed by their loyalty and support. I could not express how grateful I am for them.”

Surprising fact: “My first professional job was as a high school math teacher. Learning how to communicate and teach others effectively is still a skill I am refining every day! I have fond memories of my time as a teacher, and I often wonder what my former students are doing today.”

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Dawn Bishop Operations construction manager Prologis Phoenix

Background: Bishop is responsible for managing all make-ready and tenant improvement projects for new and existing customers across 77 facilities. She joined Prologis in 2021 with 12 years of commercial construction experience.

Career path: “I was a stay-at-home mom, wondering about the best approach to integrate back into the workforce part-time after six years dedicated to raising our children. I met someone who owned a commercial construction company and needed help. Always willing to learn and contribute to the success of a company, I observed, asked questions and asked to take on more tasks. As I learned more about the commercial construction business, I really enjoyed the tangible result of a completed project and the process that went into it.”

Leigh-Anne Harrison Executive director CHASSE Building Team Tucson

Background: Since 2014, Harrison has grown the Tucson division from two to nearly 40 members and opened a 3,800-square-foot Southern Arizona headquarters.

Career inspiration: “I began on this path at 19 when I was a new mom, taking a job as a receptionist with a small general contractor in Gilbert. The owner became a major mentor in my life, helping me rise to project manager before the Great Recession. I joined CHASSE in 2011, initially relocating to Tucson for a project. I embraced it, taking CHASSE’s ‘Building to Make a Difference’ mission statement as it relates to our clients, team members, and our community, helping build our Southern Arizona footprint into something we are really proud of today.”

Amy Fricke Human resources manager

LGE Design Build

Background: Fricke’s human resource practices and solutions have a positive impact at LGE Design Build and she is committed to building an inclusive company culture.

Source of pride: “Knowing I have made the difference for our employees every day and being there for them during difficult times makes everything worth it. I take pride in ensuring our employees feel heard. Being happy at work is important and I get to help guide our organization in providing that happiness.”

Surprising fact: “My parents owned a hot air balloon and we had many early mornings and late nights. Waking up at dawn to fly was amazing. It gave me the right mindset to realize that hard work can reap great rewards.”

Jenna Borcherding Director of development VanTrust Real Estate

Background: Borcherding is responsible for the identification, evaluation and execution of industrial, office and mixed-use development opportunities throughout the Southwest. In just four years, her portfolio of development projects in Arizona and Nevada has surpassed 3.8 million square feet. Borcherding has been actively involved with NAIOP Arizona since 2012, facilitating a mentor program, serving as chairwoman of the Developing Leader’s Group, and being appointed to the board of directors in 2022.

Inspiration: “I entered the commercial real estate industry in 2011 and after working at DLR Architects, Jokake Construction and JLL, I set my sights on development. I was attracted to the tangible nature of development, where you can see and feel the impact our developments have on the communities in which we develop.”

Source of pride: “Taking a leap of faith and making a career change just as I was about to have my first son. As a new mom, I was not only faced with a learning curve at home, but at the office as well as I transitioned to the development side of commercial real estate. It’s incredibly fulfilling to look back on the last four years and point to over a dozen projects that we’ve developed in that time across Arizona and Nevada.”

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