Denver Power Women: 5 Questions With Newmark Knight Frank's Kittie Hook

This limited series profiles Power Women who have helped shape metro Denver's cities, neighborhoods, businesses and lifestyles. These women will be honored at Bisnow's Denver Power Women event Dec. 5.

A 32-year veteran of Colorado commercial real estate, Newmark Knight Frank Managing Director Kittie Hook provides comprehensive brokerage services, including sales, leasing, negotiations, project analysis and coordination. Hook is a market expert who can integrate economic development advisory services for every stage of the planning and entitlement process with traditional brokerage services. Over the course of her career, she has closed transactions valued at more than $300M. Hook's community involvement focuses on promoting regional economic development initiatives and increasing commercial real estate’s influence on the Denver community. Her current and past involvement includes serving as executive board member and chair of site selection for Denver Metro Economic Development Corp.; executive board member for the Economic Development Council of Colorado; co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Real Estate Expo; member of the Downtown Denver Partnership; and former president of the Denver Metro Realtor Foundation.

Bisnow: How do you describe your job to people who are not in the industry?

Hook: As an executive managing director and corporate services specialist at Newmark Knight Frank — one of the world's leading commercial real estate advisory firms — I provide value-added representation services to users of commercial real estate. My job includes site selection services for companies looking to locate in Colorado; expansion, consolidation and real estate analysis requirements for companies currently located in the state; comprehensive brokerage services, including sales, leasing, negotiations, project analysis and coordination; and economic development advisory services for every stage of the planning and entitlement process.

Bisnow: What is the biggest business problem you have faced and how did you solve it?

Hook: One challenging aspect of my job is helping clients with acquisitions and pursuing project approvals through incentives. On one major project, I spent a year helping a client to achieve economic incentives in conjunction with their land acquisitions. Working with the buyers for nine months, I was patient and attentive as we worked through various objections. Eventually, we identified a solution that was right for all parties involved and were able to achieve a win-win outcome. The client, with my guidance, acquired the properties and assisted the various ownerships with reinvestments and termination of leases in place. 

Bisnow: What is one thing you think companies can do to address wage and gender inequality?

Hook: Speaking personally, I believe that if you are honest and hard working you will be rewarded appropriately, no matter your gender. The historically male-dominated demographics in the commercial real estate industry could seem like an obstacle to industry women, but, ultimately, I have found that relying on one’s capabilities, professionalism and perseverance will lead to success. To succeed in the real estate industry — or any industry, really — you need to believe you can do so and express that attitude outwardly.

Bisnow: What piece of advice do you give others entering the industry?

Hook: My philosophy in life, which is highly applicable to the commercial real estate industry, is: You can never know too many people, keep networking; you can never know too much, keep learning; and “no” just means “not yet,” figure out a solution.

Bisnow: What do you do to unwind when you’re not working?

Hook: I am a sports fanatic — I love to ski, golf and work out, as well as watch sports at all levels, including professional, college and even high school. I also love to share fine wine with friends while enjoying live music at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Meet Newmark Knight Frank Managing Director Kittie Hook at Bisnow's Denver Power Women event Dec. 5 at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver.