DFW Women Leading Real Estate Awards

Taryn is a Managing Partner at Rebees, bringing passionate leadership and vision to all aspects of our operations. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1999, Taryn joined the management ranks at Consilient, helping to grow the Dallas-based hospitality company from a single restaurant into a well-known collection of dining brands across several states through tenacious growth and authentic community engagement. After serving in various operational roles, Taryn became Consilient's Vice President of Operations before joining Rebees in 2015, where her ingenuity in scaling hospitality experiences laid the foundation for our approach to transforming spaces into destinations. Besides keeping our dynamic organization running smoothly, Taryn channels her lively energy as a dedicated yogi, an outstanding cook who fosters connection through food, and an inspiring super-mom to Romy and Everly.

As the Co-leader of JLL’s tenant representation team, Torrey is responsible for representing both local and national corporate office clients in facility and site acquisition and disposition. She focuses on strategic real estate planning and works closely with each client and the JLL team to identify optimal financial and operational solutions. Torrey has a full understanding of the real estate, financial accounting, tax and market conditions that surround client objectives and decisions. As a dedicated team member, she delivers an unprecedented level of service and support to her clients. Her goal is to save the JLL clients’ time and money.

Jessica started as an intern in 1999 while attending Kansas State University. Knowing she wanted to live in Texas, she joined WSP’s Dallas office in 2000 as a designer and moved quickly into a project management role. Over the years, Jessica gained experience with various projects and clients, particularly in the HCA group, where she led a dedicated team and collaborated with offices across the nation. In 2020, she took on the role leading the Property and Buildings group in North Texas as local business line leader. In this role, she continues to manage multiple projects, mentor staff and work closely with clients on their programmatic and project needs.

Sara Bodzy is a strategic partnerships and business development leader known for launching brands into new markets, building high-value relationships, and driving growth across architecture, real estate, sports, and hospitality. Currently Senior Associate & Strategic Partnerships Director at OTJ Architects in Dallas, Sara was selected to help launch and grow the firm’s Dallas office, expanding OTJ’s national footprint and establishing its presence in one of the country’s fastest-growing real estate markets. She has built a strong regional pipeline, led winning RFP/RFQ strategies, and cultivated partnerships across corporate interiors, mixed-use, multifamily, retail, and office development sectors. Prior to OTJ, Sara worked in commercial real estate brokerage specializing in tenant and landlord representation, further strengthening her expertise in negotiations, marketing, and client strategy. Her career foundation was built in professional sports and entertainment, holding leadership roles with the San Francisco 49ers and Legends. At Levi's Stadium, she launched the Special Events Department and later led national events and tours strategies across more than 30 sports and entertainment venues in the U.S. and Europe, including landmark venues such as The Star and Golden 1 Center. Known for her collaborative leadership style and relationship-driven approach, Sara consistently creates measurable business growth and long-term market impact. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications with a focus in Public Relations from Texas State University and enjoys spending time with her family, supporting her kids’ sports activities, and staying active through fitness and community involvement.

Michelle W. Caplan is an Executive Vice President with the Dallas-Fort office of Weitzman, which she joined in 1998. Caplan specializes in retail project representation and retail tenant representation. She has extensive experience working as part of the development team on new retail projects, working with the team on entitlements, land use, zoning issues and pre-leasing. Prior to joining Weitzman, she worked at The Shopping Center Group, Inc., a retail real estate company based in Atlanta, Georgia. At The Shopping Center Group and at Weitzman, she has focused on tenant representation, project leasing and the disposition of excess properties for national retailers. Caplan received the 2016 "Retail Broker of the Year" for her commercial retail real estate success in North Texas from the Dallas Business Journal. Caplan has consistently ranked in the statewide company’s Top 10 for most years from 2004 to 2024. In 2023 and 2024, she ranked as the No. 1 producer on a statewide basis for Weitzman. She was included into Weitzman’s Chairman’s Circle in 2007 and its President’s Circle in 2002. She earned the Weitzman Broker of the Year award in 2005. She consistently ranks among D-FW's top-producing brokers as well, based on the Heavy Hitters ranking by the Dallas Business Journal, and she was ranked Top Retail Broker in North Texas for 2015 and 2010. She also holds the Power Broker ranking from D CEO Magazine.

Allison assists developers, investors, buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants in all aspects of real estate transactions. She has expertise in office, retail, and industrial leasing and development finance. Allison brings value to her clients by leveraging 25 years of practice experience with a practical and efficient approach aimed at keeping legal costs down and providing the best result. Allison’s background also includes in-house experience as Vice President and General Counsel for Hexter-Fair Title Company (acquired in 2011 by First American title Insurance Co.) and as Senior Counsel for Windstream Corporation, formerly a Fortune 500 company that is now privately held.

Holly is Co-Chair of Winstead’s Leasing & Asset Management Practice Group and a member of the Real Estate Development & Investments Practice Group. Her work focuses on the acquisition, disposition, development and asset management of industrial facilities, mixed-use projects, retail centers and office complexes, including multi-site portfolio transactions. She has particular experience in commercial leasing on behalf of both landlords and tenants.

Maranda K. Auzenne is an accomplished executive and trusted thought leader in commercial real estate, bringing more than 20 years of experience driving strategy, performance, and value creation across property and asset management. With deep expertise spanning acquisitions, operations, repositioning, and dispositions, she is recognized for pairing operational excellence with visionary leadership to deliver transformative results. As Founder, President, and Chief Obstacle Remover of Transitions Interim Property Management Solutions, Maranda advises organizations on creative optimization strategies that strengthen asset performance, organizational alignment, and long-term value in commercial real estate. Prior to launching her consulting practice, Maranda served as Senior Vice President of Property Management at Trademark Property Company, where she provided executive oversight and strategic leadership for the firm’s national portfolio. Previously, at MG Herring Group, she led the management, stabilization, and disposition of a 700,000 sf mixed-use lifestyle center. Earlier in her career, she served as National Director of Operations at Ryan, LLC, overseeing more than 500,000 square feet of Class A office operations across the U.S. and Canada, including portfolio strategy, site selection, lease negotiations, workplace design, and construction oversight. A respected strategist, retail influencer, and advocate for inclusive leadership, Maranda is known for advancing conversations around purpose-driven leadership, career reinvention, and elevating diverse perspectives within commercial real estate. She is a sought-after speaker and panelist who brings both industry insight and servant leadership principles to audiences across sectors, making her widely respected for leading at the intersection of strategy, service, and purpose. Grounded in a deep commitment to service, Maranda believes leadership is measured not only by impact in business, but by investment in community. She serves as a City Councilwoman for Cedar Hill, Texas, and remains active in civic and industry leadership through CREW Dallas, the ICSC Red River Dealmaking Conference Planning Committee, the Cedar Hill Shares Food Pantry Board, and STAR Transit, where she supports regional mobility solutions. Her previous service includes ICSC Marketplace Council Director for Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, Bridges Safehouse, and six years as a Planning & Zoning Commissioner for the City of Cedar Hill. Maranda’s leadership has earned broad industry recognition, including being named a GlobeSt. Women of Influence honoree (2022, 2024, 2026), CREi Woman of Influence, Dallas Business Journal Influential Woman in Business, Connect Media Woman in Real Estate, Leadership Southwest Distinguished Leader, and Cedar Hill Woman of the Year, among other honors. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Relations and Business from Amberton University

Darden is an Associate Partner and Community Practice Director with decades of experience in various project types including commercial, hospitality, senior living, universities, libraries, churches, broadcast, educational and high-end residential. Her proactive management style, creativity, and strong inclination towards learning drives her success in leading complex projects and implementing strategic firm initiatives.

Gabby is the Director of Business Operations & Strategy and Site Head for BioLabs Pegasus Park, the premier network of shared lab and office facilities located in key innovation clusters. As Director, she is responsible for recruiting member companies, fostering relationships, and building the biotech community in North Texas. Prior to BioLabs, Gabby was the Lead Scientist in the Biotech group at NCH Corporation. There she led the product development team for bioaugmentation and probiotic products, from ideation to commercialization. She holds 8 US patents and has another 7 patents pending. Gabby holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University where she was author on nearly 50 peer- reviewed research publications.

Jennifer Sanders is Cofounder and Executive Director of the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) a public-private partnership dedicated to supporting the design and execution of a smart cities plan for Dallas. She brings expertise across a broad array of industries including energy, technology, economic development, nonprofit and finance, serving in functions including communications, stakeholder and community relations, strategic counsel, change management and operations. DIA’s goal is to elevate Dallas as a city that is not only prepared for – but a driving force in shaping – the future of cities, and provide opportunities for prosperity for its citizens. While at the DIA, she has collated a network of three dozen member organizations, and works with over 20 departments within the City of Dallas to accomplish an aligned smart city strategy, which began with the implementation of the Smart Cities Living Lab [phase I], in the West End District in downtown Dallas. This Living Lab incorporates nine smart city projects into a compressed corridor, and the resulting platform will pull in startups, entrepreneurs and university researchers to develop and test additional products and solutions. The Living Lab is the fastest-to-market smart cities initiative in the country. The DIA is now focused on its Phase II projects in Southern Dallas focused on challenges to underserved residents around mobility, public safety and the digital divide. She is actively involved with numerous civic organizations in Dallas, serving as Past President of the Mayor’s Star Council, President of the Board of the Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas, Board Member of Better Block, an Ambassador for the Dallas Entrepreneur Center (DEC) and the Advisory Board for Dallas-based retail and lifestyle startup, Edition Collective, among others. She has been named to the Dallas Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and Top Women in Technology, State Scoop’s Top Women in Technology, the Tech Week 100, and the Dallas 500. She has been honored to speak to groups at conferences around the globe including South by Southwest, Smart Cities Week and the Smart City Global Congress and Expo in Barcelona. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Psychology with a minor concentration in Economics.

Pheba is a Project Director and Studio Director in Gensler’s Dallas office. With 21 years of industry experience, her collaborative leadership style and strong design management expertise have established her as a trusted leader on complex, large-scale projects across commercial office, mixed-use, hospitality, civic, and sports sectors. Her diverse portfolio reflects a deep commitment to effective project execution, high-quality design, and the belief that thoughtful environments can foster social connection through purposeful, efficient strategies. Pheba is a Registered Architect in Texas and an active member of the AIA, ULI, and the Texas Society of Architects. She holds a Master of Architecture from Texas A&M University with a Certificate of Business from the Mays School of Business, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kerala, India.

Brand strategist Sarah Wicker leads a multidisciplinary team out of Perkins&Will’s Dallas studio that translates clients’ brands into engaging experiences through space, digital media, and graphics. Over the course of her career, she has consulted for international developers, municipalities, and major brands like Nike and 7-Eleven with her ideas hailed as “world-changing” by Fast Company. She is a frequent contributor to industry publications, a repeat speaker at ICSC, ULI, and AIA conferences, and—deepening her research into behavior and identity—she recently earned a master’s in psychology from Harvard. Curious and energetic, Sarah finds guidance in empathy

As an Agency Leasing Director, Carrie Halbrooks is responsible for the leasing and marketing of office assets in the Dallas region. Carrie works closely with her clients to understand and meet their commercial real estate needs through market intelligence, prospect generation, and fostering relationships with pivotal tenant representation brokers. Throughout her career in Commercial Real Estate, Carrie has been involved in the leasing of a diverse portfolio of office projects, spanning from 80’s vintage properties to cutting edge new construction developments. In addition to providing expert leasing representation for office landlords, Carrie also helps guide clients through strategic office and land disposition initiatives. Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, Carrie worked for Stream Realty Partners, JLL and Peloton Commercial Real Estate. Her responsibilities across these roles included market research, landlord representation, and tenant representation, showcasing her multifaceted proficiency in the real estate landscape.

Shaila advocates for clients across all aspects of complex real estate transactions. Her practice focuses primarily in the areas of real property acquisition, disposition, development, financing, and leasing. ‍ Shaila regularly works with purchasers, sellers, developers, lenders, investors, landlords, and tenants across a variety of asset classes including multifamily, office, retail, restaurant, hotel, and industrial and healthcare projects. Her experience spans drafting and negotiating real estate purchase and sale agreements, lease agreements, loan agreements, joint venture agreements and various ancillary real estate transactional documents. ‍ Prior to joining the firm, Shaila gained invaluable experience as an associate at some of the largest and esteemed big law firms in the world. She also served as Real Estate Counsel for one of the largest restaurant companies in the country. Her clients have included, amongst others, a myriad of restaurant brands, Fortune 500 retail and hospitality companies, lenders, multifamily and single-family developers. Shaila is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Texas A&M University School of Law, a top 30 law school in the nation.

Christy Pennington leverages her in-depth knowledge of today’s real estate market to guide developers, owners/landlords, and end users—including retailers, healthcare systems, industrial firms, and corporate headquarters—through complex, high-level transactions from inception to closing. With experience in both private practice and as in-house counsel, Christy utilizes her combined legal knowledge and business acumen to assist clients in driving forward their business so they can meet goals while minimizing risk. Christy’s experience and ability to actively listen to her clients enables her to better understand client priorities, anticipate needs, and offer practical and timely advice and counsel that her clients have come to rely on and trust. Christy provides thoughtful, cutting-edge counsel, helping her clients traverse today’s dynamic real estate market, both in Texas and nationally. From sophisticated ground lease transactions to large portfolio acquisitions, Christy is known as a deal maker and a “mover and a shaker.”

As the Managing Principal of LiNC Commercial Realty, Najdi has extensive experience in site planning, site selection, acquisitions & dispositions, broker valuations, risk, and due diligence analysis. She earned her Juris Doctor (JD) from Western State University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Business from California State University, Fullerton.

Olivia serves as Regional Vice President at Kairoi Residential, overseeing both the North Texas and Houston markets with a hands-on approach and an unwavering focus on asset performance. She currently supports operations across more than 8,000 units, bringing the collaborative style and deep operational expertise that both clients and her team have come to rely on. Before joining Kairoi, Olivia spent over 15 years mastering all facets of property management with industry-leading firms including Lincoln Property Company and ZRS Management. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of North Texas and earned her CPM designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management. Outside of work, Olivia enjoys hiking, traveling, and cheering on her kids from the soccer sidelines.

Amber Wernick is an award-winning interior designer and strategist who creates workplace, higher education, and healthcare environments for some of the world’s most innovative organizations. As Director of Interiors at HOK in Dallas, she leads teams in developing thoughtful design solutions that elevate everyday life. Her expertise in workplace strategy, business development, and client engagement has consistently driven growth and innovation. A recognized voice in the design industry, Amber frequently speaks and writes about the role of interior design in shaping human experience. Her work and insights have been featured in Fast Company, Metropolis, Interior Design, Work Design, and ArchDaily, as well as podcast episodes with Interiors & Sources, Network Next Gen, and the Allwork.Space.