Influential Woman · Commercial Real Estate

Madeline Warren

Senior Associate, Cushman & Wakefield

Phoenix, AZ

Her Story

About Madeline

I got into commercial real estate after talking to my parents' friends who worked in the industry from different perspectives - whether on the ownership side, development side, investor side, or brokerage side. The whole process of buying and selling and investing in these massive cash-flowing properties was something I was super interested in and wanted to be a part of. I love that these are tangible assets, stuff that people use every day, and I find that really interesting. I'm drawn to the networking aspect and how fast the industry moves, especially in brokerage where there's so much deal flow. When I was in college, I interned for Ryan Companies, where Molly Carson became my biggest mentor. She's been such an inspiration and so kind, and she's been a great moral compass, which aligns with one of my core values. It's been really cool to watch all of her success that she's been able to achieve at Ryan, and she's always been great to go to for advice and learning.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Madeline

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would say it's a lot of just don't be afraid to put yourself out there, introduce yourself to people, and be confident in yourself. But also, really be prepared, and then don't be afraid to ask for what you want. It's a little different in school, I feel like you're so used to just staying quiet and listening, and when you get out, it's a weird adjustment where you have to speak up and say what you want. That whole idea of ask and you shall receive is really important, especially for women in this industry.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say you are a part of the conversation, too. Don't be afraid to look for the jobs, ask for the jobs. It kind of goes back to being confident in yourself and what you know, which comes with having to be prepared. It's kind of hard sometimes when you're in a room with all guys, or at a happy hour with all guys, but you just have to be confident in yourself and remind yourself that you are meant to be here, and you deserve to be here. I also think it's important to help inspire younger women who are interested in pursuing a career in commercial real estate to get some more stories and influence under their belt, to continue expanding people's horizons about the field.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I would say for biggest challenges, it's mostly related to the market and what's happening in the market. It's obviously a little bit volatile, which directly impacts our business. For the younger people, AI has definitely presented a bit of a challenge, just for young people coming out of college trying to get these entry-level jobs. That's something we talk about a lot with people who are trying to find a job. Opportunity-wise, there's so many different things and so many transactions and so much to get a part of. Despite the volatility, deals are getting made, so that's encouraging. It looks like it's going to be a good year ahead of us, so there are opportunities in the next few years to just really hone in and keep working.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Being a good person is one of my core values. I really value having a moral compass, which is something I admire so much in my mentor Molly Carson. She's been such a great moral compass and has had that on her shoulders, and that's been really important to me throughout my career.

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