Influential Woman · Real Estate

Courtney Howard

Team Lead, Project Design Manager & Executive National Chair, CWFL, Cushman and Wakefield

St. Louis, MO

2Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Member CREW Member CWFL Member IIDA Member ASID Member WIN

Her Story

About Courtney

I’m a single mother, business owner, and leader who thrives on bringing clarity, excellence, and care to everything I do. Balancing the demands of work, life, and family has taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and staying grounded - skills I bring to every project and team I work with.

As someone who uplifts and leads people, I focus on creating structure, improving communication, and helping teams succeed while keeping the bigger picture in mind. I believe in doing work well, supporting others along the way, and leading with integrity and accountability.

I’m passionate about growth - my own and that of the people around me - and I take pride in being someone others can rely on, whether it’s for guidance, collaboration, or simply showing up consistently when it matters most.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Courtney

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to a combination of persistence, focus, and the people I surround myself with. By listening to and learning from others, I’ve built strong, trustworthy relationships that have allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. Ultimately, it’s about staying balanced, leading with integrity, and being committed to doing the work well while empowering those around me.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to focus on showing up consistently and doing the work well, even when no one is watching. It’s easy to get caught up in recognition or the next big opportunity, but real growth comes from being reliable, learning continuously, and building trust with the people around you.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Trust yourself, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to take ownership of your ideas. Build strong relationships, ask questions, and seek mentors who can guide you - these experiences give you opportunities for growth and learning that are invaluable. The path isn’t always easy, but staying true to yourself along the way will set you apart and help you create opportunities for progress and impact.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is helping teams and clients embrace change. There’s so much innovation and new ways of doing things, but not everyone is ready to see things from a different perspective. Guiding others through new processes, technologies, or ways of thinking can be just as important as implementing the change itself. At the same time, this shift creates opportunities to lead with empathy, foster collaboration, and find creative solutions that really make a difference. The work is as much about understanding people as it is about driving results.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The values I hold most important are authenticity, accountability, and empathy. In my work, these guide how I lead teams, support clients, and build businesses - helping me stay focused on results while also understanding and respecting the people involved. As a mother, these values shape how I show up for my family - balancing responsibility with compassion, patience, and consistency. For me, success isn’t just about what gets done; it’s about how we treat others and lift people up along the way.

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