Denver Women Leading Real Estate Awards

Alejandra “Ale” Spray is the CEO and president of the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado. Prior to this role, Ale was the community empowerment manager for Mortenson, where she was responsible for successfully overseeing community participation plans to maximize opportunities for small, women, minority and other diverse groups and workers on Mortenson’s projects. Born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and resident of Colorado since 1999, Ale has more than 20 years of construction experience. Throughout her career, Ale has held roles such as project engineer, marketing director, business development and community empowerment manager. Ale received her bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the Institute of Technology and Higher Studies of the West in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 2016, she became a member of the Latino Leadership Institute, a University of Denver leadership program. In 2020, Ale received her diversity and inclusion certificate through the University of Cornell and in 2021, she completed the Governor’s Fellowship program. In 2022, Ale received her corporate social responsibility certificate through the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business, and in June 2023 she became an alumni of the esteemed Leadership Denver fellowship program with the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation. Ale has been extremely involved in the community, holding such positions as chairman of the board for the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado and the governor-appointed advisory council for the State of Colorado’s Minority Business Office. Currently, Ale serves on the boards for Centura Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville, Bellco Credit Union, Mile High Youth Corps, STEMblazers and Colorado Succeeds and is vice chairwoman of the board of the Construction Education Foundation, where she is the first woman and Latina to serve in such role.

Chessa Pike is a Senior Associate on the U.S. Healthcare Team, partnering with Stuart Thomas to work on national accounts with a special emphasis on mental and behavioral health. This team is dedicated to providing strategic real estate advisory services, including: portfolio strategy, healthcare analytics, site selection & location intelligence, financial consulting, and transaction expertise (leasing, acquisitions, sales, and debt & structured finance). Prior to joining the team in 2023, Chessa worked on CBRE’s Capital Markets team brokering institutional office property sales for multinational clients. In this role she performed financial analysis on portfolios and multi-tenant assets, developed investment proformas, produced opinions of value and offering memorandums, and prospected for new clients, marketed listings, and strategized new business development efforts. Chessa began her real estate career as a Senior Valuation Associate for CBRE's Valuation & Advisory Services, where she primarily appraised medical office and office properties throughout the metropolitan areas of Denver and Salt Lake City for national clients. She is fluent in Spanish.

Christie zumBrunnen is TRIO's Chief Design Officer. She has over 24 years of experience in innovative and transformative design for the nation’s largest production builders and developers. At any given time, Christie oversees hundreds of projects throughout the country. Her work has earned her dozens of awards at the National Association of Home Builders’ Nationals Awards. She has also been honored with many regional awards through MAME and CARE. In 2023, Christie received a Denver Business Journal C-Suite Award for her work as Chief Design Officer. She has recently completed her certifications in Biophilic Design and AI practices for Interior Designers & Architects from the University of Pennsylvania.

Cadie serves as Vice President of Investments & Development leading Confluent’s Office & Industrial platforms. Cadie has more than 13 years of institutional real estate experience ranging in asset management, acquisitions, and development. Previously, Cadie was a vice president in Bow River Capital’s Real Estate Group. In this role, she was responsible for originating, structuring and managing real estate investments within the firm’s portfolios. Prior to joining Bow River Capital, she worked for EverWest Real Estate Investors as Director of Asset Management for the Mountain Region managing office and industrial product throughout Colorado, Utah, Texas, and Missouri. Cadie started her career at AEW Capital Management in Boston where she rose to the title of Assistant Vice President. She worked as part of the Direct Investment team and her portfolio consisted of office, industrial and retail buildings located in several major markets throughout the U.S. including Boston, New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Dallas. Cadie holds a M.S. in Real Estate Construction Management and a BSBA from the University of Denver where she played all four years on the Division I Women’s Soccer team. She is a member of NAIOP and ULI and is one of the 2024 Program Moderator for the ULI Partnership Forum.

Heather finds passion in helping her clients and making a positive impact on businesses and the community through commercial real estate. Her tireless work ethic and sense of urgency are keys to her success. Heather also has strong resources and knowledge about financing options for clients. In this fast-paced real estate market, advice and information regarding financing can get the deal done quicker. Heather believes that attention to detail and support throughout the deal is essential for successful transactions from property selection to deal completion. Prior to Heather’s real estate career, she received her Master’s Degree from Purdue University and had a very successful career in sales. Heather and her family, built through adoption, live in Centennial, CO. She enjoys family time and travel adventures.

Jane has worked in the Denver Metropolitan site development industry as a civil engineer for over 20 years. In 2021 she founded Aschermann Consulting, LLC with a mission to provide quality engineering design with a reverence for quality relationships. She manages all her projects with effective communication, innovative design, and a focus on community.

Jessica has over twelve years of commercial real estate and property management experience in Colorado and Southern California. Her experience is primarily in Class A office management with a large focus in the past five years on transitioning Class A office buildings from construction to operations. Prior to co-founding ColeTaylor, Jessica served as Director - Property Management for Hines overseeing Denver property management and engineering operations, which consisted of a 45-person team and a portfolio of Class A office assets in the LoDo, Union Station and Central Business Districts totaling over 4 MM square feet. Jessica is passionate about training and empowering her team to run their assets with a sense of pride and ownership which results in an optimal level of service for our clients and tenants.

Lauren has over 12 years of experience serving clients across the country by providing industry-specific insights that allows them to stay at the forefront of the changes within their industry. As a member of the national real estate practice, she provides audit and other advisory services, including financial statement audit services, attest engagement services and specific transaction related services to a wide range of privately held companies developing and operating assets in all sectors of real estate. Lauren specializes in working with private equity investment advisors and funds holding various equity and debt positions in domestic and international real estate. She works closely with her clients through complex accounting and operational matters surrounding acquisitions, valuations and structures, including Qualified Opportunity Zone funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and open-ended funds. Lauren was selected as a senior analyst in RSM’s cutting edge Industry Eminence Program, which positions its senior analysts to understand, forecast and communicate economic, business and technology trends shaping the industries RSM serves. These senior analysts advise clients on conditions influencing middle market leaders. Lauren’s focus is on the real estate industry. Lauren is also active in RSM’s employee network group, STAR, which advocates for women in the workplace with a focus on stewardship, teamwork, advancement and retention opportunities.

As Executive Vice President of Speculative Industrial Development, Liz is charged with collaborating with regional development teams on Ryan’s industrial portfolio and national strategy execution for the sector. Her role encompasses managing programmatic capital partnerships and ensuring that Ryan's projects are built to Class A standards, from initial site selection to design, permitting, construction, lease-up, and sale. Drawing on her leadership experience, Liz brings a wealth of knowledge and interdisciplinary expertise to her position, including financial analytics, market research, development management, and operations. During her tenure, Liz established and expanded a national industrial development department, implementing best practices and collaborating with cross-functional teams to execute billions of dollars' worth of industrial developments across dozens of markets. Recognized as a true leader and team player, Liz views challenges as opportunities and thrives on working across markets and disciplines to produce measurable results. Liz is dedicated to leveraging her expertise to foster successful partnerships, drive innovation, and create value for all stakeholders.

With over 35 years as a recognized leader in in CRE, I’ve built a career navigating the industry's complexities across market cycles, company structures, and geographies. From global public firms to nimble private enterprises, I've held leadership roles that span Principal, Managing Director, Senior Managing Director, Director of Asset Services, and Property Manager. Throughout this journey, I’ve partnered with professionals in every CRE discipline and led initiatives for Fortune 500 companies as well as regional and local firms. My work has taken me across domestic and global markets, giving me a 360° perspective on what it takes to succeed and what often holds talented women back. That’s why I founded The Moneypenny Collective: a platform dedicated to help women in commercial real estate lead with influence, rise faster, and claim more than just a seat at the table. Together, we’re going to build our own table. I know the barriers. I’ve faced them. And now, I’m here to dismantle them, one career strategy at a time.

Renee Newland is a seasoned commercial real estate broker dedicated to helping businesses and investors succeed—whether through strategic acquisitions, lease opportunities, or portfolio expansion. Renee previously acted as Principal Broker at a quality industrial firm in Colorado Springs and now brings her expertise to NavPoint, where she works closely with clients assisting in tenant placement, investment portfolio acquisitions, and strategic listing opportunities. She brings data-driven market analysis and insights to her clients’ deals across all commercial sectors. Renee is a 2022 graduate of the Leadership Pikes Peak Signature program in Colorado Springs and serves on the Executive Board of Hey Neighbor, an organization dedicated to improving the communities where we live. When she isn’t talking real estate, you can find Renee enjoying the last few years of her teenagers at home. Her three boys, age 17-20, keep her active in sports and outdoor activities, and her daughter, age 15, provides a much-needed break from the boys! She and her husband, Andrew (5th generation native to the Springs), enjoy the Colorado outdoors and being a part of the Colorado Springs community.

Rhonda was originally hired on at CREG in 2007 for a temporary position, but after being immersed in the world of commercial real estate, she soon realized that she wanted her position to be anything but temporary. After a few years of working in all aspects of the company, Rhonda became a broker in 2010 and became a Partner in 2016. Rhonda has an in-depth knowledge of the Colorado marketplace, and the needs of tenants and landlords alike. Her years of experience have given her a strong fundamental understanding of the market and what tenants are looking for, as well as how to approach the leasing of shopping centers, and ultimately how to get deals done. Rhonda’s career has been focused on being an integral of her client’s business in both landlord representation and representing local and national retailers in finding new opportunities, as well as the disposition of their retail space. Rhonda’s career has evolved over time, and she has become well versed in land acquisitions and sales, new development, public private partnerships, and prides herself on understanding deals “soup to nuts”. Some of Rhonda’s current clients include King Soopers/City Market, Anytime Fitness, Waxing the City, Bar Method, Base Camp, Brident Dental, Wells Fargo, KFC, Kentro Group, Evergreen Development, Hadley Properties.

Tamara Alexander-Johnson is known for her key strategic and negotiation skills and has a demonstrated history of $4 Billion of national and global real estate transactions. She is skilled in acquisitions and dispositions, real estate leasing transactions, ground-up development, strategic planning, workplace strategy, and asset management. She is also a licensed real estate Broker in the State of Colorado, and is an Adjunct Professor at University of Denver in the Daniels College of Business teaching a graduate level course on the Essentials of Corporate Real Estate. Her career of 30 years spans the corporate occupier realm in which she led the transactions and strategic advisory teams at Western Union, BBVA Bank, and VF Corporation, and the Colorado State University system. Prior to that time, she was the Director of Acquisitions with Etkin Equities (now Etkin-Johnson RE Partners), and in 1997 was the Director of Dispositons for Pacifica Holding Company to divest their entire Colorado portfolio valued at $600 MM, and was the Due Diligence Director at Archstone Communities Multi-Family REIT. Tamara holds a Masters of Corporate Real Estate (MCR) designation and a bachelor’s degree of Business Administration from University of Denver.

Tara Olley joined Formativ in 2023 and serves SVP of Development and Construction. Tara brings more than 20-years’ experience to this role and under her leadership leads the firm’s complete development cycle from entitlement and-predevelopment through construction. She is driven by bringing bold ideas to execution and mentoring her team and the next generation in the industry. Tara has worked on all sides of development – general contractor, owner’s representative and developer, successfully leading projects ranging from $1M – $200+M. She began her career with East West Partners, working on the master planned Riverfront Park neighborhood, before joining Continuum Partners and eventually starting her own owner’s rep firm where she played a key role in the execution of Denver’s Market Station. Originally from Austin, Texas, Tara attended the University of Texas at Austin.

Teena Bergstrand works as a key leader for Saunders’ marketing, communications and business development efforts, developing successful marketing services, corporate communications and brand presence. As vice president of market strategy, Bergstrand oversees Saunders’ marketing and communications, with an enhanced focus on identifying market growth opportunities and competitive advantage strategies, and developing client experience enhancements. Bergstrand holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and business administration from the University of Colorado Boulder, and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from the University of Denver Daniels College of Business. Bergstrand has been recognized as a leader in the industry as a finalist in Denver Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40 class of 2022, the 2018 Top Young Professional by Engineering News Record-Mountain States, and the 2015 Marketer of the Year by the Society of Marketing Professionals (SMPS) Colorado Chapter. She is also an active member in the community, serving as an American Red Cross Colorado/Wyoming board member, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Denver board member, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce legislative committee, and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Denver Class of 2021.

Valerie Bromley is a seasoned professional well-versed in the complexities of real estate transactions. With a wealth of experience representing both tenants and landlords, she has successfully negotiated intricate commercial, office, and industrial/warehouse leases in various countries. As a partner in the Messner Reeves LLP Real Estate Group, Valerie’s practice revolves around a wide range of real estate matters, from acquisitions and dispositions to land use and development. Valerie Bromley excels in navigating the intricacies of real estate transactions, from start to finish. Whether it’s the acquisition of a property or the disposition of an existing asset, Valerie’s expertise shines through in every step of the process. Her in-depth knowledge enables her to efficiently guide clients through contract negotiations, due diligence reviews, title evaluations, and real estate financing. Furthermore, Valerie is no stranger to the multifaceted world of development, skillfully handling all aspects, including land use and zoning matters. Her meticulous approach ensures that projects proceed smoothly and with optimal outcomes. Valerie’s prowess extends to lease negotiations, a critical component of real estate transactions. Representing both tenants and landlords, she brings a balanced perspective to the table, seeking fair and advantageous terms for her clients. Whether it’s a commercial, office, or industrial lease, Valerie’s expertise in drafting and negotiating these agreements ensures that all parties’ interests are protected. Additionally, she navigates licenses and easements with precision, addressing the complex legal requirements to secure favorable outcomes for her clients. Valerie Bromley’s proficiency in real estate transactions is not limited to a single jurisdiction. Her extensive experience spans the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Canada. This global perspective allows Valerie to adapt to varying legal frameworks and cultural nuances, providing valuable insights to clients seeking to expand their real estate ventures internationally. Her cross-border expertise ensures that clients can confidently navigate complex transactions and mitigate potential challenges. Valerie’s tenure as in-house counsel for a global real estate investment trust (REIT) adds depth to her practice. During this period, she honed her negotiation skills, handling leases and development agreements with global e-commerce clients. Additionally, Valerie was responsible for negotiating contracts with vendors and consultants, training new field personnel, and conducting risk analyses for corporate mergers and acquisitions. This firsthand experience in a corporate setting allows Valerie to anticipate and address the unique needs and challenges faced by her clients, providing a well-rounded and comprehensive approach to real estate transactions. LEED® Accreditation and Sustainability Initiatives Valerie’s dedication to environmentally conscious practices shines through in her commitment to green building and sustainability initiatives. She earned her LEED® accreditation in 2009, demonstrating her expertise in sustainable building practices and certifications. Valerie leverages her knowledge and experience to represent clients who prioritize green building and sustainability. By offering guidance on environmentally friendly construction materials, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable design principles, Valerie plays a vital role in shaping a greener future for the real estate industry. Valerie Bromley’s expertise in real estate transactions is a testament to her skill, adaptability, and comprehensive approach. From navigating acquisitions and dispositions to negotiating leases and licenses, Valerie’s keen eye for detail and in-depth understanding of the industry have resulted in successful outcomes for her clients. Her international experience and in-house counsel background further enhance her ability to provide valuable insights and tailored solutions. With a passion for sustainability and a commitment to building greener futures, Valerie Bromley is a trusted advisor and a valuable asset in the complex realm of real estate transactions. Outside the office, she continues to embrace her passions for family, nature, and community engagement, further showcasing her well-rounded approach to life.

Whitney Hake serves as a Senior Managing Director in Newmark’s Denver office, where she specializes in landlord representation. Hake is renowned for delivering exceptional leasing results to office owners by implementing proactive marketing, real-time market insights, and counseling tailored to each client. Before joining Newmark in 2023, Hake served as a Senior Vice President at Transwestern, focusing on office agency leasing in the Southeast Denver and Downtown Denver markets. Prior, she spent eight years at Cushman & Wakefield, where she ranked within the top 10% of the company’s brokers globally in 2016-2017. She is a frequent panelist at industry events and has been published by The Colorado Real Estate Journal and The Denver Business Journal for her thought-leading contributions.

Yvette Roman is the owner and founder of Ellipsis Construction, a licensed, women-owned commercial General Contractor based in Denver, CO. With over a decade of experience in commercial construction and a degree in civil engineering, Yvette has managed complex public and private projects in both Los Angeles, CA, and Denver, CO. Her company holds a Class A General Contractor License, allowing them to take on commercial projects of any scale across Colorado, with a current focus on Tenant Improvement projects. Ellipsis Construction was founded in the wake of COVID, a turning point that led Yvette to embrace entrepreneurship. Committed to relationships, sustainability, and innovation, she has streamlined operational processes to reduce inefficiencies and human errors like double entry. Her team is dedicated to delivering high-quality, environmentally responsible projects that ensure long-term success for businesses.

Ashley’s Native American heritage has influenced the way she approaches projects and builds teams. Diversity in thought generates stronger results, better ideas and problem solving, and it is far more fun than trying to working alone. The foundation of her career was built in the design world as a landscape architect, focused on luxury resort projects. It is here that she learned from the best, about the importance of delivering positive and memorable customer experiences-to stand out from the competition and drive loyalty.

As a partner at TRE, Amy Aldridge has 20 years of experience in commercial real estate as a licensed broker. Amy drives the company’s continued growth through an integrated approach to brokerage services. Amy’s extensive experience closing complex and challenging transactions has provided her with the expertise to find creative solutions for virtually any client real estate need – a skill she empowers her team to continually develop. Leveraging a strong understanding of the Denver market, Amy has earned a reputation for providing superior client service and building lasting relationships with clients based on trust, respect and a complete understanding of their business goals. Previously, Amy served as a vice president at JLL where she represented tenants and buyers in the Denver office market, specifically downtown and the periphery submarkets. She has expertise with multiple product types across the U.S. in both the public and private sectors. Outside of her work at TRE, Amy is deeply involved in the community. She currently chairs the board for Social Venture Partners Denver and serves on the Fundraising Committee for Girls Inc. of Metro Denver. She is also very engaged in her alma mater, Colorado State University. In addition to serving on the CSU Everitt Real Estate Center’s Advisory Board, she mentors for CSU’s College of Business and is a member of the Green & Gold Foundation. Amy serves on the Board of Governors of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and is a member of the Downtown Denver Partnership. Amy was honored among Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2021. She has also been recognized as a Top 25 GenXYZ finalist by ColoradoBiz Magazine, a Heavy Hitter finalist (Young Broker of Denver) by the Denver Metro Commercial Association of REALTORS, and as a Breakout Broker of the Year by JLL. Amy graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in business administration, with a double concentration in commercial real estate and real estate finance.

As DURA’s Director of Community Investment, April is responsible for project management, community engagement and securing new and additional resources for the organization. Prior to joining DURA, April served as the Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)’s Director of Vision and Project Management, where she was responsible for facilitating all of CRA’s projects and programs portfolios, managing most of the public procurement for professional and hard construction services, and supporting ongoing vision development for CRA. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and a Master of Science in Planning. Some of April’s project highlights include working on the North Memphis Greenline Extension and Park, the Memphis Harahan Bridge Project and the Memphis Crosstown Concourse. Originally from the south, April loves to cook and swears that her husband is a BBQ smoke master.

Morgan provides strategic leadership for the Rocky Mountain district. She began her career at Milender White in the Arvada office in 2010, and just five years later, she was selected to lead the Southern California office as Construction Executive. Morgan was instrumental in the growth of Milender White in the region. She drives results through consistency, process, honesty, and clear communication. Morgan values a solution focused and team-based approach to construction. She received her bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Florida and earned her master’s degree in construction engineering & management from the University of Colorado Boulder. Morgan lives in Golden, CO with her husband and two daughters.”

Jenny Knowlton is an Executive Vice President with CBRE and a partner of CBRE's National Office Partners. Based in Denver, Colorado, she is a co-leader and partner of a 6-person team specializing in the sale and recapitalization of office and mixed-use assets throughout Colorado, Phoenix and Salt Lake City. She has been involved in over $15 billion in transactions spanning hundreds of buildings in just the last decade alone. Prior to joining CBRE, Jenny was at Cushman & Wakefield for 7 years working in investment sales.