Women in CRE: Lauren Gilchrist

Lauren Gilchrist

Newmark Executive Vice President Lauren Gilchrist came to the commercial real estate industry through an unconventional path.

She worked for several years as a researcher and analyst at economic non-profits before being tapped by JLL in Philadelphia as senior vice president and senior director of research. She spent six years with JLL, before becoming managing director of research at Longfellow Real Estate Partners and earlier this year, she joined Newmark to oversee the firm’s full suite of service offerings in the company’s Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, Delaware and Wayne, Pa., offices. Her role also encompasses managing strategic planning, revenue growth and profitability, recruitment and business development.

“Leveraging my research background and natural curiosity, I focused on being attuned to our stakeholders in terms of how they perceive potential and final outcomes,” she said. “I ask a lot of questions, which helps to bridge the gap between me and my clients. By embracing and utilizing transferable skills, I began to navigate the industry and relate to other CRE professionals.” 

Gilchrist said she enjoys pursuing new business and especially pitching and winning.

“I have a competitive spirit and enjoy developing strategies that best position my team to win. I’m grateful to be in a position to lead a team and help them achieve success,” she said.

Public Speaking

Gilchrist regularly appears as a keynote speaker, panelist and moderator across Philadelphia and the U.S.

“This has been essential to building my personal brand and the brands of the companies I’ve worked for,” she said.

Gilchrist’s advice to those looking for professional growth and advancement in CRE is to identify their superpower—any quality that differentiates them from their peers. For her, it has been public speaking and her ability to connect with people in a public forum.

She said her CRE roles have allowed her to connect with other women who frequently share their stories, motivations and challenges as CRE professionals. Gilchrist is also  involved with NAIOP’s Greater Philadelphia Chapter and the organization’s summer program, which offers exposure to the CRE industry to high school students of color.

“By showing students what opportunities are available, we hope to inspire the pursuit of careers in real estate and give students background knowledge to do so.” 

“By accepting each other and working on personal flexibility, we encourage the inclusion of new voices who can contribute a different perspective to the industry.”

Read the March 2023 issue of CPE.