Chicago Power Women & Rising Stars

Wendy Berger

CEO & Founder
WBS Equities

Wendy Berger is CEO and Founder of WBS Equities, LLC. WBS Equities is a real estate development firm which specializes in ground-up construction, renovation, development, sale lease back transactions and acquisition of industrial buildings for food and beverage manufacturers and distributors. Wendy is also an active investor across multiple real estate asset classes including retail, multi-family, senior housing and self-storage. Over the last 28 years she has been involved in the real estate business as a developer, property manager, broker and principally as an owner-investor. Wendy began her career at American National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago (a subsidiary of First Chicago, now JP Morgan Chase) in Commercial Lending. Wendy spent several years as a principal with Berger Realty Group, an 80-year- old family owned Real Estate business where she focused on residential and industrial property management and development. She was responsible for managing 3,000 apartment units, 200,000 square feet of commercial space and 250,000 square feet of industrial space. Aside from her experience in the real estate field, Wendy spent 10 years working with ultra-high growth technology startups. Wendy was employee number 10 at Orbitz, the Travel web site founded in 2000 by American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United Airlines. Wendy was Director of the Enterprise Planning at Orbitz and focused on strategic planning. Prior to Orbitz, Wendy co-founded and was COO of Neoglyphics Media Corporation, one of the country’s first web site development firms. Neoglyphics grew from a small start-up to a corporation with a staff of more than 150 employees before it was sold in March 1998 for $65 million. Wendy earned her MBA in Finance and Real Estate from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business. She received a B.S., cum laude, in Finance and Marketing from Syracuse University. In her spare time Wendy is an avid triathlete and runner, having completed 31 Olympic Distance triathlons and six half-marathons. Wendy serves on the Board of directors of the Chicago Public Library Foundation (2016 – present), the Board of directors of the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund of Chicago (2001 – 2007, and 2009 – present). Wendy has volunteered for TimeLine Theater, The Marwen Foundation, Chicago Run and the Uptown Cafe. Wendy served until 2004 as Vice-President and Membership Chair at The Standard Club of Chicago and as a member of the Board of Directors (1994 – 2004). Wendy is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and served as the chair of the Real Estate Membership Committee. Wendy served two years on the Board of Directors of TEDxMidwest. Wendy co-founded Illinois Women in Cannabis in 2014. Wendy is an active mentor, a role she takes very seriously, usually mentoring 4 – 5 young women at any given time. Most recently, Wendy is proud to now call herself a TED speaker, her talk is available on the TED web site.

Laura Auwerda

EVP
PNC

Laura and her team of commercial real estate professionals manage a portfolio of $7 Billion ofloan commitments. Clients include both public and private real estate companies based inIllinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Northern Ohio, Minnesota and Canada. We advise our clients onall of their banking and capital needs and have provided financing for all types of commercialreal estate across the country.

Carly Stevenson

SVP, Residential Property Management
McCaffery

Carly Stevenson is responsible for the operational success of McCaffery’s entire residential portfolio. Carly joined McCaffery in 2018, prior to which she spent time in various roles at Trilogy Real Estate Group, AMLI Residential and Waterton. She has more than 10 years of experience in the real estate industry, and is now focused on value creation by ensuring McCaffery’s methods are upheld with consistency and integrity. Carly earned her bachelor’s degree from Benedictine University, where she studied organizational leadership. Carly is an active member of the Chicagoland Apartment Association

Lauren Mead

Managing Director
Free Market Ventures

Ever met one of those people who everybody seems to gravitate towards? That’s Lauren. Couple that with her ability to see past the common and find unique business opportunities others overlook and you’ve got a pretty powerful secret weapon. Lauren began her career in commercial banking at JP Morgan Chase gaining valuable experience in portfolio management, underwriting, and relationship management. It wasn’t long before she started her own company as an independent strategy consultant for small businesses and startups. As a Corporate Strategy Manager for Brooklyn Boulders, LLC she focused on business development and partnerships. As the CFO for Azeeza, US she built financial forecasts and budgets and improved on the overall business strategy. And while Lauren’s education is all business, a BA in Business Administration from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, she’s anything but. With her keen ability to hone in on the non-conventional, Lauren has a secret love of punk music. She’s never met a music documentary that she didn’t love. She likes golf, yoga, and, of course, funny people. In other words, sense of humor ranks high on her list.

Michelle Mills Clement

CEO
Chicago Association of Realtors

Responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and goals, enhancing current services to ensure they are delivering substantive value to the organization, and maintaining a sound financial position by being the recognized spokesperson and ambassador for the commercial brokerage industry; establishing and maintaining strong relationships with leaders and influencers within the real estate community; and being a strong voice and advocate for the goals and initiatives of CBA members and the commercial brokerage industry. Key Highlights •Successfully oversaw the launch of the new member-owned multiple listing service platform •Seamlessly on-boarded new team members with veteran employees, creating a collaborative team environment •Implemented strategic planning and governance training for the Board of Directors •Provide strategic oversight for the Washington State Commercial Association of Realtors; CoreNet Washington Chapter; CCIM Washington; Institute of Real Estate Management Washington Chapter; and SIOR Washington Chapter •Actively protect the interests of the commercial real estate industry through lobbying efforts at both the state and federal levels

Nicole White

Principal & Legal Counsel
Avison Young

Nicole White joined Avison Young in 2015 and serves as legal counsel to Avison Young in connection with the hiring, engagement and compensation of the firm’s personnel. Ms. White also serves as counsel to Avison Young’s human resources function. In her capacity as legal counsel, Ms. White drafts and negotiates complex executive compensation and services agreements for senior executives and leading commercial real estate producers across Avison Young’s global offices including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany and Mexico. Ms. White also provides legal support with respect to corporate governance, and manages and directs federal and state litigation matters, including matters related to regulatory compliance, trade secrets and restrictive covenants. Prior to joining Avison Young, Ms. White was an attorney for the Allstate Corporation where she provided advice and counseling on various employment issues including hiring, discipline, discharge, and disability accommodations. Ms. White also served as the subject matter expert on trade secret and restrictive covenant matters. Ms. White earned her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Jo Anne Gottfried

President
Urban Innovations

Jo Anne Gottfried leads Urban Innovations, headquartered in River North, Chicago. As President, Jo Anne provides strategic leadership to a team of over 30 real estate professionals and implements growth strategies vital to expanding UI’s client portfolio and the reach of its core services. Additionally, Jo Anne is the Managing Broker of Urban Innovations and has directly contributed to its growth and profitability throughout her 32 years at the firm. Jo Anne joined UI in 1987, most recently serving as COO. With over three decades in the industry, Jo Anne is known and respected as one of Chicago’s leading women in real estate. Jo Anne earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and is a licensed Managing Broker in Illinois.

Katie Kazas

EVP, Capital Markets
CA Ventures

Katie Kazas serves as EVP of Capital Markets for CA Ventures. Katie acts as the single point of contact for all of CA’s lending relationships from sourcing term sheets to negotiating loan documents for closings as well as explaining market strategy and reporting performance of assets. In her 5 year tenure at CA, Katie has executed over $5 billion of total loan volume. She joined CA from PrivateBank (CIBC) and where, as Managing Director, she managed a $300 million loan portfolio and closed over $1 billion in loans during her 7 year tenure. Her responsibilities included developing new business through existing and new clients, maintaining customer relationships, analyzing and monitoring the financial performance of clients, and evaluating needs and requests for financing. In addition, Katie oversaw more construction loans than any other lending group since 2007 for CA. Prior to joining PrivateBank, Katie was an Assistant Vice President in LaSalle Bank’s Commercial Real Estate Department, responsible for a $500 million real estate loan portfolio. Katie also completed LaSalle Bank’s Commercial Banking Training Program. Katie received a Bachelors of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois – College of Business.

Carolyn Salzer

Director, Head of Industrial Research
Cushman & Wakefield

Carolyn Salzer is the Director and Head of Industrial Research for the Americas working with the Logistics and Industrial Services group. She leads the team and contributes to the coordination and production of local, regional, national and corporate research analyses. She oversees quarterly reporting, statistical production, and forecasting for 79 markets within the Americas. Within this role, she collects and analyzes statistics from all industrial markets tracked by Cushman & Wakefield to educate clients and the firm’s 840 industrial professionals on current research trends and tools. Salzer is also a sought-after speaker for industry events and internal conferences, having spoken at ULI, INTERCHANGE 2019, and CSCMP. Salzer also participates in the design and development of new, enhanced products and services for Cushman & Wakefield professionals and clients. She interacts with all service lines in order to gain market insight, proactively seeks market activity information, and coordinates research department interaction with local governmental entities. Prior to becoming the Head of Logistics and Industrial Research for the Americas, Salzer served as the Associate Director for Industrial in the Americas working with the Logistics & Industrial Services group and led industrial research at Cushman & Wakefield for the Chicago market. Education Salzer attended Miami University in Ohio and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology with a Minor in Spanish.

Meredith Katz

Shareholder
Greenberg Traurig

Meredith L. Katz represents clients in connection with structuring, negotiating and documenting various aspects of commercial real estate transactions. Her practice is focused on financing, leasing, acquisitions and dispositions of office, residential, retail, hotel, industrial and warehouse assets. Meredith also represents clients in connection with investments in real estate funds and in the negotiations of joint venture agreements.

Sheila Loberg

CEO
SHEcon

Angela Spadoni

Principal
bKL Architecture

As a Principal at bKL Architecture, Angela Spadoni leads client engagement, with an emphasis on the seamless delivery of the firm’s services. Over the course of her career, Angela has established a reputation for her commitment to serving clients. She combines expert management skills with an ability to generate and articulate design ideas and a dedication to collaboration. Angela has grown alongside bKL since joining in 2012, leading the development of projects in Chicago, Miami, Phoenix, Austin, Washington D.C., and Toronto. She brings specific expertise in mid-rise and high-rise multifamily projects, and has led the design of more than 10,000 units since joining the firm. She is an active leader within the Chicago chapter of the Urban Land Institute and was named one of Crain’s Notable Women in Construction and Design in 2020. Angela is known for her ability to listen first and deeply understand the goals and aspirations of the client, and then collaboratively lead a broader bKL team to deliver projects that are not only rational and efficient, but functional and beautiful as well. Angela received her Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania with a certificate in Historic Preservation and Bachelor of Science in Design from Arizona State University.

Angela Aeschliman

SVP, Property & Asset Management
The Missner Group

Angela Aeschliman, Senior Vice President of Property and Asset Management for the firm, leads and directs the firm’s ongoing growth and development of the property management team by drawing from more than 25 years of experience in the real estate industry. Ms. Aeschliman is an industry professional with strong leadership and organizational skills, and a keen awareness and ability for solidifying and maintaining strong relationships with tenants, owners, investors and her team. At The Missner Group, she is responsible for overseeing the financial and operational needs of the firm’s extensive commercial real estate portfolio. She also oversees the management of in-house and third party contracts, works to improve the ease and efficiency added by the property management team, and works closely with tenants and investors to deliver on their needs. Ms. Aeschliman is steadfast in maintaining and increasing the value of the firm’s portfolio by focusing on tenant retention and by utilizing both preventative management techniques and innovative efficiencies to lower operating expenses and attract new tenants. Prior to joining The Missner Group, Ms. Aeschliman was the Chief Operating Officer for Watermark Property Management, a sister company of Baum Realty Group, in Chicago where she developed and ran the entire property management company and was named REALTOR® of the Year for the NICAR local Realtor Association. In 2014 she also was awarded the prestigious Leadership Award from the IREM Chicago Chapter #23. Angela is a life long learner and an Industry leader who believes in giving back, to her peers, mentees, local associations and owners. Angela is currently the President-Elect of the IREM Chicago Chapter #23 and is a past President of NICAR- Northern Illinois Commercial Association of Realtors.

Ivy Z. Greaner

EVP & COO
InvenTrust Properties Corp.

Heather Morrison

Founder & President
MAP Strategies

Heather Morrison is the Founder and CEO of Morrison Architectural Planning Strategies, LLC, and MAP Studio LLC, a WBE-licensed architecture firm. She is an architectural strategist and project manager with a twenty-five year record of successfully managing large-scale architecture and construction projects. After working in the field of architecture for several years, and especially while project managing with ZGF Architects for the Lurie Children's Hospital, she often observed significant inefficiencies in how entitlement processes for permitting, code review, and licensing were managed. Changes in the design often have to occur after the fact within this process, exacerbating inefficiencies. Heather found a hole in the market, which quickly became a passion for helping all sides of a development team streamline the compliance process. Heather started MAP Strategies (MAPS) to bring accountability to her clients, and the discipline to be informed, organized, and prepared for the governmental regulatory process. Similar to the law, building codes exist to systematize how architects design buildings for the safety of the public. As a compliance partner, Heather and her team focus on editing architectural designs during pre-construction and strategically plan the path for permitting and licensing, creating better design outcomes while saving time, money, and resources. Heather’s then-startup began in 2014 in the West Loop with the dream of turning compliance on its head. Fortunately, notable developers gave her a chance early on to prove MAPS’s value–and she and her team delivered. These early successes and a reputation for high-level service paved the way for consistent growth in the years to follow. Notable developments overseen by Heather and her team include: 400 North Lakeshore Drive, Lincoln Yards, 727 West Madison, the Tribune Tower renovation, and 900 West Randolph, the tallest building in Chicago’s West Loop. Beyond Heather’s professional achievements, she is passionate about her civic engagement and contributions. After a long battle with cancer, her father Michael Morrison, a prominent real estate attorney in Chicago, passed away in 2010. To honor his legacy and commitment to giving back and lifting up underserved populations in Chicago, Heather gathered together a fundraising committee which eventually raised over 100 thousand dollars to endow a scholarship in Michael’s name at the Chicago Jesuit Academy, a full-scholarship college preparatory middle school located on Chicago’s west side. Distinguished by small classes, an extended academic day, and a longer school year, CJA makes it possible for young men from modest economic backgrounds to find their way to outstanding high schools and colleges which they would otherwise not be able to attend. January 11, 2023 Heather and her team regularly volunteer as pro-bono consultants, performing zoning assessments, code consulting, permit management and other entitlement services for affordable housing developments.

Maria Banks

President & CEO
AMLI Management Company

Trisha Connolly

Managing Director
Alpha Capital

Trisha Connolly is a Managing Director at Alpha Capital CRE and serves as a partner on the equity and debt placement team nationwide. Ms. Connolly specializes in commercial real estate financing with over 12 years of experience including loan restructuring, term financing, syndicated credit facilitating, construction financing, acquisition financing, advisory and joint venture equity or programmatic equity. Ms. Connolly has advised on capital markets financing transactions exceeding $2 billion. Ms. Connolly specializes in retail transactions and continues to work on office, industrial, multifamily and hospitality transactions. Prior to joining Alpha, Ms. Connolly spent four years managing Cushman and Wakefield's Equity, Debt & Structured Finance team. Preceding C&W, Ms. Connolly spent more than five years at General Growth Properties (GGP) within their Capital Markets team, focusing primarily on workouts, refinances and development financing. EDUCATION & AFFILIATIONS: Ms. Connolly received her Bachelors of Arts and Sciences from Marquette University, majoring in Political Science and Spanish. She is an active member of the Marquette Real Estate Executive Board and Alumni Associations. She sits on the Marshall Bennet Institute of Real Estate Board and is a board member of the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation focusing her efforts on fundraising, Embarc and Eisenopoly with affiliations with ICSC and NAIOP.

Jillian Pytel

Global Director, Occupier Services
Avison Young

Ellen Berkshire

Founding Partner
Verros Berkshire

Ellen G. Berkshire is a founding partner in the firm of Verros Berkshire and has been practicing as an attorney in the field of property taxation since obtaining her law degree in 2003. She has extensive experience representing commercial, industrial and complex mixed-use property owners in Cook County and throughout the states of Illinois and Michigan. Ms. Berkshire has had the opportunity to represent a wide range of clients and has appeared before numerous administrative boards and tribunals, local assessors and Boards of Review, the State of Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board and the Michigan Tax Tribunal, as well as several Illinois appellate district courts. Ms. Berkshire also teaches real estate law and case studies in the property tax appeal process to assessors through the Illinois Property Assessment Institute, an educational organization. Ms. Berkshire is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She is a founding member of the Women’s Property Tax Association and President of the Chicago chapter of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation.