Leading With Purpose: Tammy Jones on Empowering Women in CRE

As we approach the end of Women’s History Month, Commercial Property Executive is sharing the voice of another leading force in commercial real estate.

Tammy Jones is a highly accomplished executive with more than two decades of experience in the CRE industry. As the Co-Founder & CEO of Basis Investment Group (BIG), she has led the platform in closing over $5.1 billion in real estate investments and loans across the U.S. Jones is a seasoned veteran in CRE investment, capital markets and structured finance, having worked for some of the largest pension fund advisors and investment management firms. Under her leadership, BIG has become one of the only African American and female-led and -owned CRE investment and lending platforms in the country.

Empowering women and minority-owned businesses in the CRE industry is among Jones’ primary goals. As the vice chairman of Basis Impact Group Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a pipeline of women and minorities in CRE, she is committed to providing opportunities and resources for underrepresented groups in the industry.

“As more women enter the industry and progress to higher levels of leadership, they will be more likely to support other women in their endeavors and create a more inclusive environment,” Jones told CPE.

Here’s what else Jones shared about her work, her ambitions and the trends she’s noticing in CRE.

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READ ALSO: Female Leadership in CRE: Where We Were and Where We’re Going

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What inspired you to co-found BIG? Has DEI always been a core part of your business? 

Jones: BIG was founded in 2009, during the height of the Great Financial Crisis. My goal was to create an alternative lending platform that focused on diversification, not just across the company’s portfolio, but among team members as well.

With few women holding C-suite positions in the commercial real estate industry, BIG is in a unique position as a certified minority- and women-owned business, and is a testament to the positive impact generated by a thoughtful and intentional approach to diversity, equity and inclusion. Research continues to show that diverse teams produce better outcomes, and while many companies have only recently begun to implement DEI efforts—an overall positive for the industry—BIG’s efforts have been part of its core values since its start in 2009.

What’s it like to be a successful woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry?

Jones: As there are few women, and even fewer African American women CEOs in the CRE industry, I am constantly reminded that I’m one of a select few executives that have overcome the vast challenges presented to women in this field. I’ve faced skepticism from my peers that I’ve had to disprove through hard work and determination to get to where I am today.

Do you have any advice for women who are looking to break into the real estate industry or advance their careers within it?

Jones: My advice for other women looking to break into the real estate industry or advance their careers within it is to be confident in your abilities, stay focused on your goals and network with other industry professionals. It’s important to remember that you bring valuable experience and perspectives to the table and you should not be afraid to share your ideas and opinions.

Additionally, I highly recommend finding a mentor or group of mentors who can provide you with guidance and support. Building relationships with people who can help you navigate the industry is key. Lastly, don’t be afraid to take risks and seek out opportunities. It’s important to be proactive and go after the things you want.

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READ ALSO: Women in CRE: Nadine Augusta

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How do you see the real estate industry evolving in the coming years? What opportunities lie ahead for women in this field?

Jones: The changing needs of the population, increasing demand for sustainable and tech-integrated solutions in buildings, ESG and the shift towards flexible and collaborative workspaces are just some of the factors that will continue to shape the industry.

As for opportunities for women in the field, I see great potential for women to take on leadership roles in this industry. Women bring with them a unique perspective and can contribute to the development of new and innovative solutions. They also tend to bring a higher level of collaboration and a focus on relationship-building, which can be invaluable in the real estate sector.

What are some of the biggest trends or shifts you’re seeing in the CRE industry right now, particularly in your niche?

Jones: We’ve seen an increase in firms being more ESG-conscious and integrating it into their core missions and risk analysis. That’s something that has always been a key part of BIG’s identity, so we’ve been able to easily expand upon the foundation that we’ve built. We believe that ESG is not just good for execution, it is execution.

Things that are not measured rarely change, but with our targeted approach, we have continuously exceeded our ESG goals year after year. We’ve created a yearly ESG report that summarizes all our initiatives and our progress on meeting our goals.

How is BIG positioning itself to take advantage of this trend?

Jones: BIG has been focused on ESG since inception. It was founded upon the idea of building a diverse and inclusive workplace and providing access to capital and credit to underrepresented groups and communities. In 2016, Basis established a firmwide ESG policy and an ESG Committee in 2021, made up of the team leaders on each section of the business, Debt, Equity, HR, Legal and IR. Every employee is also part of either the E, S, or G Subcommittee to ensure companywide participation in various ESG efforts both internally and externally.

BIG prides itself on diversity in experience and in thought. The firm comprises 77 percent women and minorities, utilizes more than 50 percent minority- and women-owned businesses suppliers and actively promotes opportunities and education in real estate with underrepresented groups and women through the BIG Foundation.