How to Grow a Woman-Led CRE Business in Today’s Industry

Lindsay Ornstein, Co-Founder OPEN Impact Real Estate. Image courtesy of OPEN Impact Real Estate

Last year, as the industry was still processing the lockdown and the pandemic, Lindsay Ornstein and Stephen Power took their collaboration, which began during their tenure at Transwestern, to another level. They started a nonprofit advisory practice, which soon led to them launching OPEN Impact Real Estate, a brokerage and advisory services firm, affiliated with Transwestern.

In little over a year, the company grew to include 13 team members, most of whom are women. Its goal is to help mission-driven organizations implement real estate strategies that further their organizational objectives. Regarding the launch of OPEN, Ornstein recalls thinking that “people want change, and they need high-quality service options for them to go out and hire minorities, women and be intentional with their hiring.”

Image courtesy of Firmbee from Pixabay

In a conversation with Commercial Property Executive Senior Editor Alexandra Both, Ornstein shares her strategies for growing the company further as the market prepares for a slowdown in 2023.

Here are some highlights:

• How to attract more women into CRE 3:37
• Vibe-cession vs. recession 7:58
• Strategizing for a slow 2023 9:55
• Office trends: flight to quality 11:58
• Office leasing in NYC 15:30
• Headwinds in the industry for brokers 20:35
• Challenges for CRE landlords 24:01
• Advice for women entering the industry 28:14

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