TEXAS: Power Women Laurie Baker & Diane Butler
Camden SVP Laurie Baker has worn many hats in her 20 years in multifamily, from technology initiatives to property management. Now she’s overseeing Camden's $212M nationwide repositioning efforts and running its $1B investment fund. Recently, Laurie's been working on the sale of four assets in the fund for more than $134M. The transaction encompasses 1,158 units and is generating returns well above underwriting. She's also involved in CREW, serving as the Houston chapter's 2014 president. Her advice to women in real estate: Stop over-analyzing and take a risk. (That's the same advice you get doing improv comedy.) Outside of work, Laurie loves water sports and snow skiing.
Butler Burgher Group CEO Diane Butler is a golfer with an eight handicap who’s played in eight Nabisco pro-ams and has golfed with LPGA legends and celebs. Leading BBG’s appraisal production and marketing of valuation business lines, she tells us the firm is growing its 20 offices by adding new offices in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest this year. In 2013, BBG worked on one of the largest transactions of the year with American Realty Capital's acquisition of CapLease's 980 properties. Her advice to young women joining the industry: Be responsive and have a sense of urgency. It could mean the difference in winning a deal and losing it.
