Her Story
About Jaimie
Jaimie Lance is the Chief Strategy Officer at MRP Capital Group, leading enterprise strategy, operational transformation, and property management across the firm’s retail portfolio. With more than 30 years in commercial real estate, she aligns long‑term strategic goals with practical execution while driving process improvement, organizational change, and team development.
Her career began in 1989 after automation ended her role at McDonnell Douglas, leading her to an entry‑level receptionist position that sparked a lifelong path in commercial real estate. She went on to hold leadership roles at Coldwell Banker Commercial, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, and Midwest BankCentre, building deep expertise in asset, facilities, and property management operations.
At MRP Capital Group, she applies that experience to help scale systems and strengthen institutional partnerships. Known for her empathetic, people‑centered, servant leadership, Jaimie is passionate about mentoring teams and fostering collaborative, high‑performance cultures.
Inspired by the early female mentors who shaped her career, she is committed to paying it forward and actively supports community organizations serving individuals with disabilities and local outreach efforts in the St. Louis region.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jaimie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the mentorship I received early in my career and my commitment to paying that forward. I began as a receptionist in 1989 with no commercial real estate industry connections, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the woman who invested in me. She was a pioneer in St. Louis commercial real estate, and she showed me what was possible. Over the years, I’ve also been fortunate to learn from some other incredible mentors.
What I’m most proud of is developing strong teams and continuing that cycle of mentorship. Too many organizations overlook empathetic, servant leadership because they assume kindness and effectiveness don’t coexist. But great leaders don’t just deliver results—they build people. My own success has come from leading by example, guiding others, and setting clear expectations, just as my mentors did for me. At its core, leadership is about empathy and meeting people where they are in their careers and lives.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of my mentors, Orvin Kimbrough (CEO of Midwest BankCentre) said that "Real growth happens when you help others rise. When you pour into people, create opportunities, and elevate those around you you grow too."
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering commercial real estate is simple: never stop asking questions and challenging the status quo. Confidence doesn’t mean having every answer — it means knowing when to seek insight from others and recognizing that growth comes from curiosity.
Learn from mistakes; they’re part of your evolution.
And remember: you deserve a seat at the table. In male‑dominated spaces, being assertive and speaking up isn’t optional — it’s how you claim the space you’ve already earned.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Embracing AI in commercial real estate is both a challenge and a major opportunity. It’s challenging because we’re entering uncharted territory that can feel intimidating, and strong guardrails are essential.
At the same time, AI offers a tremendous opportunity to work more efficiently and enhance how we operate. The key is striking the right balance between innovation and responsible use.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Personally, God and my family are my foundation.
Professionally, helping people is at the core of who I am. As a natural caretaker, asset/facilities/property management — especially in executive leadership — allows me to solve problems, support others, and continue growing every day.
The challenges make me better, and even with years of experience, I’m still learning something new daily. Watching things improve from start to finish is incredibly rewarding.
My commitment to helping others comes from my own journey. As a young, single mother and a domestic abuse survivor, I relied on support systems that helped me move forward. Giving back is my way of paying it forward.
These experiences shaped me into an empathetic leader — someone who meets people where they are, in both their careers and their lives.
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