Kim Hagwood
Kimberley Jackson-Hagwood is a seasoned commercial real estate leader with more than 26 years of experience, known for her steady rise through the industry and her commitment to excellence. She began her career in 1999 as a lease administrator with CB Richard Ellis and worked her way up through dedication, consistency, and a hands-on approach to learning every facet of the business. Transitioning into property management early in her career, she advanced from assistant property manager to property manager and continued to grow into senior leadership roles. In 2019, she made history as the first Black female Managing Director of Property Management at her firm, a milestone that reflects both her expertise and her perseverance.
In her current role, Kimberley oversees large-scale property management operations while leading teams, managing client relationships, and driving strategic growth. Her day-to-day responsibilities are dynamic and far-reaching, ranging from high-level client meetings and personnel management to leading operational meetings with property managers and engineers. She is also deeply involved in industry leadership through organizations such as BOMA and IREM, where she serves on committees focused on critical issues like fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and property safety. Her ability to balance people, processes, and performance has made her a trusted leader in the field.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kimberley is a passionate advocate for mentorship, diversity, and industry advancement. As Co-Founder of Sisters in Commercial Real Estate (SICRE), she is dedicated to empowering and supporting women of color in the industry. An international speaker, mentor, and educator, she continues to invest in the next generation of leaders while maintaining a deep commitment to service and community. Kimberley’s career is defined not only by her achievements, but by her impact—creating opportunities, building strong teams, and helping shape the future of commercial real estate.
• LEED Certified
• BA
• Education
• First Black and Female Managing Director at her company
• Featured as Influential Women 2026 representing Atlanta
• Georgia
• BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) - Local
• Regional
• And International
• IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management) - Local
• And National
• BOMA Industry Insight Committee
• Co-Founder of Sisters in Commercial Real Estate (SICRE)
• Co-Founder of Sisters in Commercial Real Estate (SICRE) - supporting Black women in commercial real estate
• Planning to open a charter/private/public school for at-risk teens focusing on trade education
What do you attribute your success to?
I really attribute all of my success and where I am in my career to the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). If it weren't for them and their leadership training, I probably wouldn't be in the position that I'm in now, in all honesty. I give that organization a lot of credit. I had a lot of leadership opportunities - committee chairs and things of that nature. But when you get onto those committees and get onto the board, on a local level, and then on a regional level, on a national level, it really does give you amazing skill sets to be able to create yourself into an amazing leader in the workforce. I worked my way up 100% - no handouts - starting as a lease administrator and continuing to grow periodically through the years with the companies I was with. I've also been blessed to have connections and support, coming from a military family, so I always had the support to do really whatever I wanted.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
While there isn’t one specific piece of advice or a single mentor I can point to, my career has been shaped by the collective influence of industry leaders, professional organizations like BOMA, and my own experiences navigating this field. Being part of strong professional networks has exposed me to different leadership styles, perspectives, and best practices that have helped guide my growth over the years.
I’ve learned to stay adaptable, continuously seek knowledge, and remain confident in my ability to lead—especially in an industry where representation has not always been the norm. Much of what I’ve carried forward has come from observing others, applying those lessons in real time, and trusting my own path as I’ve advanced in my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to stay committed, work hard, and pursue opportunities with confidence—especially in industries where you may be underrepresented. It’s important to believe in your ability to succeed and not wait for permission to step into new roles or take on greater responsibility.
Focus on building your expertise, showing up consistently, and putting in the work to grow. Confidence comes from preparation and experience, so invest in yourself and trust that you belong in every room you enter.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the ongoing challenges in commercial real estate is representation and access, particularly for women of color. There are still barriers to entry and advancement that require intentional effort to overcome, both at the individual and organizational levels.
At the same time, I see significant opportunity in the industry’s growing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. There is meaningful progress being made through mentorship, professional development programs, and initiatives designed to open doors for a broader range of talent.
I’m especially encouraged by the expansion of non-traditional pathways into real estate, including trade-based and alternative education routes. These opportunities are helping to create a more inclusive and dynamic industry, and I believe they will play a critical role in shaping the future of our field.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Leadership, representation, service, and impact are deeply important to me. I feel it's my personal mission and my responsibility to expose my people to all of those opportunities if at all possible, and then help them to become successful in whatever area they're trying to get into. I want to be that catalyst to that change, to show that there are all of these amazing opportunities for women of color, to see that there is an example of someone that they can follow to say, yes, I see someone that looks like me that's done this, so I want to be able to do the same or do more. I want people to see that we do exist, and that there is a spot for everyone in this industry, no matter what they look like, no matter who they are. I want to be kind of that shining light and representation of everything and everyone. Coming to Atlanta over 6 years ago and seeing that not everyone has that opportunity or exposure, I feel it's my responsibility to create those pathways. And honestly, this is all faith-led - God has definitely put it on my heart, even though I'm much more of an introvert than most people realize.