Meet CPE’s 2017 Stars to Watch: Sara Neff, Kilroy Realty Corp.

Among other accomplishments, the executive built her company's sustainability program from scratch.

By Alexandra Pacurar

Sara Neff, Kilroy

Sara Neff, Kilroy Realty Corp.

Each year, CPE features some of the commercial real estate industry’s top young talent. The high achievers selected as Stars to Watch represent a broad range of specialties, companies and geographic locations.

Following is a brief introduction to one of this year’s outstanding young professionals. Read here about all 2017 Stars.

Age: 36

On the job: Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Kilroy Realty Corp.

Notable Challenge: Building Kilroy Realty’s sustainability program from scratch, starting in 2010.

Notable Accomplishment: Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark named Kilroy North America’s No. 1 green real estate company in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Key Mentor: John Kilroy, chairman, president & CEO of Kilroy Realty.

Early Influence:  Sukanya Paciorek of Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp. (a 2016 Star to Watch), who Neff met in 2012 at a NAREIT Leader in the Light event. Since then, Paciorek has advised Neff on strategies for incorporating sustainability in capital budgeting and other best practices.

Above & Beyond: Neff serves as an advisory council member with the U.S. Green Building Council and chairs the board of directors for the organization’s Los Angeles branch.

Goals: Making Kilroy’s interaction with the energy grid even more sophisticated; establishing the company as an industry leader on health.

What Others Say About Her: “I’ve reached out to Sara to invite her as a valuable member to join our recently formed Real Estate Sustainability Council (RESC) that has a mission to help guide and unite the REIT industry’s environmental social and governance (ESG) efforts and priorities while showcasing well-deserved recognition in sustainability leadership. Sara is always eager to help anytime I knock on her door for ideas and volunteering opportunities. She is a valuable and active member of NAREIT’s Real Estate Sustainability Council (RESC).”

—Fulya Kocak, Vice President of ESG Issues at NAREIT