Laura began her career after answering an ad in the Wall Street Journal for thev“Taco Bell Real Estate Manager Training Program”, while Taco Bell was under the PepsiCo umbrella. After the training, she had the roles of Asset Manager, Strategic Analyst and Real Estate Manager. Her next move was to join Sonic Restaurants in Oklahoma City as Director of Acquisitions. In this role, she was tasked with buying franchise locations to convert them into company-operated restaurants. While at Sonic, she received a call from Jack In The Box to come back to Texas. She answered the call and began work in Houston as a Real Estate Manager. During her time at Jack In The Box, she founded the WIRRED networking group (Women In Retail Real Estate Development) WIRRED is thriving, and she sits on the board. After years at Jack In The Box, a former supervisor recruited her to come to Panda Express, where she spent over 18 years in the roles of Real Estate Manager and Director of Real Estate. After the long tenure at Panda Express, she was brought into McDonald’s by the CDO, a former colleague and leader at Panda Express. December 2026 marks her 3 year anniversary as a Real Estate Manager at McDonald’s. Her career history demonstrates the importance of doing excellent work where you are and making connections in the industry. She is grateful for all the wonderful opportunities and great people that she has met along her career journey. It is an honor to be acknowledged by this community.

Wunmi Onile-Ere is an accomplished Real Estate Development Professional with over

20 years’ experience leading complex, large-scale projects. She is the Director of

Master Planned Communities at Toll Brothers, America’s foremost developer of luxury

single-family, multifamily, student housing, and 55+ Active Adult communities. In this

role she is involved in the development lifecycle for 1,000 - 5,000-acre award-winning

master planned projects with responsibility spanning land acquisition, land planning,

land development and lot sales.

Wunmi has led and managed more than $500 million in complex development and

infrastructure projects, bringing together strategic vision, financial optimization,

operational excellence, and stakeholder leadership to deliver profitable outcomes. Her

portfolio includes managing the development of a 302-single-family-home 55+ Active

Adult community with resort-style amenities; overseeing project management for

construction activities, tenant leasing opportunities and commercial build-out on the $19

billion JFK Airport Redevelopment Program; and leading project management on a new

manufacturing venture under construction at Brooklyn Navy Yard. Prior to Real Estate

Development, Wunmi was a well-awarded global Oil Commodities Trader managing a

$1Billion portfolio where she developed deep expertise in P/L financial modeling, risk

management, market strategy, and complex business decision-making.

An accomplished business leader with multi-functional capabilities, Wunmi brings a

distinctive ability to move seamlessly from strategy and investment analysis to

execution in the field. Wunmi is passionate about driving transformative projects that

overdeliver on financial returns and social impact.

Wunmi holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA in Economics and

International Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. She also completed

the Real Estate Management: Finance, Design and Leadership certification from

Harvard Business School Executive Education. She is an Alumna of Haramabeans,

Project REAP, the LISC Emerging Developers Program and CPC ACCESS Incubator.

Wunmi is also an avid supporter of community social impact initiatives and has served

as a Volunteer and Board Member of numerous Non-Profit Organizations focused on

education and upward economic mobility.

Telisia Amaning serves as Chief Operating Officer of Read King Commercial Real Estate, where she is responsible for driving operational performance and organizational alignment across the firm’s development, property management, and asset operations. In this role, she works closely with the executive team to strengthen operational infrastructure, support strategic growth initiatives, and ensure the firm’s teams and systems are positioned to execute efficiently across its expanding portfolio.

Telisia brings more than two decades of leadership experience in commercial and multifamily real estate operations, with expertise spanning development, lease-up, stabilization, and long-term portfolio management. Throughout her career, she has directed multi-state portfolios and implemented operational platforms that enhance asset performance, strengthen compliance, and support scalable growth. Her experience spans a wide range of project types, and she is committed to building strong teams and operational frameworks that support Read King’s continued growth and long-term success.

Telisia holds a Master of Business Administration from Lamar University and a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University. She also completed the Women in Leadership Executive Certification program at Houston Christian University, where she currently serves as an advisor. Her professional designations include Certified Property Manager (CPM), Registered Housing Manager (RHM), and Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP).

Reine Becker, MBA, is a real estate owner, operator, developer, and strategic leader at Ironhold Asset Management, where she helps lead acquisitions, underwriting, asset management, investor relations, development, and platform growth across multiple U.S. markets.

Before entering real estate, Reine built her career in corporate strategy and operations with companies including Cargill and Colgate-Palmolive. She led cross-functional teams, built departments from the ground up, and managed complex initiatives and budgets of up to $80 million. Lean Six Sigma certified, she brings a disciplined, systems-driven approach to growth, accountability, process improvement, and execution.

Today, Reine’s work spans multifamily acquisitions, property management, asset management, and ground-up development. She and her business partner serve as the development team for $70 million of Class A multifamily projects in Minnesota and Wisconsin, while also advancing a pipeline of new development and housing projects in Illinois and other markets.

At Ironhold, Reine also contributes to the continued growth of a vertically integrated operating platform supporting more than 2,000 units across several asset types. She is directly involved throughout the investment and operating lifecycle, from evaluating opportunities and developing business plans to overseeing execution, strengthening property-level performance, and maintaining capital relationships.

Reine approaches property management through the lens of both ownership and operations. Her focus is on creating scalable systems, developing strong teams, establishing clear accountability, and connecting day-to-day property performance to broader business strategy and long-term value creation.

Across acquisitions, development, and operations, her philosophy is straightforward: understand the numbers, identify the variables the team can control, build the right systems and people around the opportunity, and execute with discipline.

Joan began her career in 1984 as a real estate representative with WNS, expanding the Wallpapers To Go concept throughout the Southeast United States. She then moved to Pier 1 Imports, where she successfully opened over 100 new locations across the Southeast and Northeast markets. In 1994, she transitioned to tenant representation brokerage, leveraging her extensive retail expertise on the brokerage side. Joan also has extensive experience in retail real estate investment and development that she will further leverage with the Partners Capital and Development platforms.

Over the past 30 years, Joan has exclusively represented major brands such as Michaels, Pier 1 Imports, Applebee’s, Office Depot, Bar Louie, La Madeleine, and Popeye’s in the Houston market. Currently, she continues to represent Office Depot and Floor and Décor. Additionally, Joan handles leasing responsibilities for her own developments, including Seguin Marketplace, 1242 Witte Road, and Tomball Marketplace, and sources development opportunities in Houston and South Texas markets.

Brandi Dees is Senior Vice President at Lee & Associates - Houston with over 23 years of experience in

international retail, land, tenant representation, and fuel services transactions. Brandi has established

herself as a leading expert in the industry, particularly in the realm of Retail Fuel Services, and brings a

wealth of knowledge from her previous role at CBRE as Senior Director - Americas for Shell Oil Company,

where she focused on Retail Mobility, Electric Vehicle Site Acquisitions, Commercial Road Transport

Acquisitions, Convience Stores, and Property Managment. Brandi ran all facets of Shell Oil excluding for

over 20 years, delivering full end-to-end service to her clients.

Brandi played a pivotal role in the successful acquisition and disposal of over $500 million in retail assets

while managing a diverse portfolio that included +- 9,000 petrol filling stations. Her leadership extended

to a dedicated team of brokers and staff throughout North America, driving the development of a robust

pipeline of fuel retail deals across North America, as well as overseeing full property managment for all

retail locations.

Brandi's innovative approach and client relationship led her to secure a multi-national electric vehicle

charging account, where she not only built a professional team to handle daily operations but also

positioned the company at the forefront of the rapidy evolving EV market.

Brandi Dees's extensive experience and strategic vision make her an invaluable assest in the retail, land,

and fuel services landscape, particularly as the industry adapts to new technologies and consumer

demands.

Danna Diamond serves as Vice President of

Retail Leasing for MetroNational, a privately

held real estate investment, development, and

management company headquartered in

Houston.

With more than 40 years of experience in retail

leasing, Danna leads MetroNational’s retail

portfolio, including the 1.7 million square foot

Memorial City Mall. Throughout her career, she

has worked with industry leaders such as

Simon Property Group and Urban Retail

Properties, successfully negotiated leases with

a wide range of national and global retailers. Known for her thoughtful and

curated approach to placemaking, Danna blends local culture with global brands

to create dynamic, experience-driven retail environments

Beyond her professional achievements, Danna is a trusted mentor and passionate

advocate for the next generation of talent in the commercial real estate industry.

She serves as a mentor at the University of Houston’s Wolff Center for

Entrepreneurship and is actively involved with her church Ecclesia, serving the

unhoused. Danna also participates in numerous extracurricular activities,

including bible study, and is part of an investment club.

Danna earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin. She has

been married for 37 years and has two daughters, age 34 and 31, and a

granddaughter, age three.

Kate Good has been leasing apartments her entire adult life. She quickly gained recognition from her employer, Trammell Crow, as the number one leasing consultant by leasing 52 apartments and closing 48 renewals in one month! Her expertise and enthusiasm took her up the ladder in the corporate world until 15 years ago. She then decided to start her own business as a professional speaker and marketing solutions expert.

Kate has shared her innovative ideas with many organizations, including Apartment Associations in 53 cities, and national conventions such as 18 presentations at The National Apartment Association Annual Convention, 24 appearances at the Multi-Family Brainstorming Sessions, 10 presentations at the International Builders Show, and is an eight time presenter at the Multi-Housing World Annual Convention. She consistently receives the highest marks possible for her content, presentation style and audience involvement. Her presentations have been described as “enthusiastic,” “cutting-edge,” and “quality information.” Each year she is proud to share her depth of knowledge with over 20,000 industry professionals.

What sets Kate apart from other speakers is her career commitment of always working on site. For 14 years Kate consulted with companies across the United States and Canada to create game changing leasing and marketing programs for new construction and distressed communities. In 2012, Kate joined forces with Hunington Properties to create Hunington Residential which is the multifamily development and management arm of this firm. Kate serves as Principal of Multifamily Development and Operations. Her first community, Vargos on the Lake in Houston, TX, broke ground in the third quarter of 2013. Three additional apartment communities started development in the summer of 2014.

Twelve years ago, Kate joined three of the industry’s top speakers to form The Apartment All Stars, an educational tour delivering high energy events in association with local Apartment Associations. The team has now grown to seven and expanded to offer private events for individual companies and Webinars.

Rachel Lippeatt is Vice President, Projects with JLL, bringing more than two decades of experience in Houston’s commercial real estate industry and a career built on curiosity, connection, and a willingness to continually learn.

Rachel began working in Houston commercial real estate after moving to the city in 2002 and has worked her way through the industry by embracing new challenges and opportunities along the way. Prior to joining JLL, where she has served as Vice President for more than two years, Rachel owned her own business and spent nearly a decade with CBRE. Those varied experiences have shaped both her approach to project leadership and her belief that success in commercial real estate is ultimately about people.

Throughout her career, Rachel has found that technical knowledge and experience are only part of the equation. She believes a willingness to learn, coupled with the ability to build genuine relationships, is critical in an industry where collaboration and trust are at the center of nearly everything we do.

That belief also drives Rachel’s commitment to mentorship and giving back. She is a co-founder of Professional Women of Influence (PWI), an organization focused on creating meaningful connections and opportunities within Houston’s commercial real estate and construction community, and serves on the board of Building New Foundations. Volunteering occupies much of her time outside of work and reflects her belief that success carries with it an opportunity to help others find their own path forward.

As the mother of a daughter preparing to begin her own journey into adulthood, Rachel feels a particular responsibility to support other women—especially young professionals who are still finding their footing, building confidence, and discovering where their careers might take them. She believes some of the most meaningful ways experienced women can lead are by sharing what they have learned, making introductions, opening doors, and encouraging the next generation to walk through them.

For Rachel, leadership is less about having all the answers and more about continuing to learn, bringing people together, and helping create opportunities for others to grow.

Kelly serves in multiple capacities as the Asset Services team leader for Transwestern’s Houston office and Central Texas Region. She is the single point of contact for select clients - ensuring consistent, elevated service delivery across geographies, supporting strategic property initiatives, capital planning and deployment, amenitization and tenant experience programs, and tactical property operations.

Kelly strategically focuses on differentiating Transwestern by leveraging the power of the family of companies across the firm to provide clients with unsurpassable real estate solutions.

Kelly has 18 years of experience in commercial property management in the Houston area. She has managed noteworthy properties such as 5 Houston Center, 1000 Main, Bank of America Tower, and the Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical campus. Kelly built and led the Transwestern team that commissioned Bank of America Tower in 2019.

Kelly is currently engaged as a national single point of contact for Beacon Capital Partners across all Transwestern-managed assets and supports multiple teams in a range of asset classes, including office and life sciences real estate.

Nicole White joined Avison Young in 2015 and serves as legal counsel to Avison Young in connection with the hiring, engagement and compensation of the firm’s personnel. Ms. White also serves as counsel to Avison Young’s human resources function. In her capacity as legal counsel, Ms. White drafts and negotiates complex executive compensation and services agreements for senior executives and leading commercial real estate producers across Avison Young’s global offices including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany and Mexico. Ms. White also provides legal support with respect to corporate governance, and manages and directs federal and state litigation matters, including matters related to regulatory compliance, trade secrets and restrictive covenants.

Prior to joining Avison Young, Ms. White was an attorney for the Allstate Corporation where she provided advice and counseling on various employment issues including hiring, discipline, discharge, and disability accommodations. Ms. White also served as the subject matter expert on trade secret and restrictive covenant matters.

Ms. White earned her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Elizabeth York brings more than 30 years of real estate experience to her role as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Johnson Development, having worked previously with prestigious law firms in Houston and the United Arab Emirates. In 2012, the Houston Business Journal named Ms. York Outstanding Solo General Counsel of the Year. She is a member of numerous local organizations, including West Houston Association, where she is currently serving as Vice Chair and the Houston Bar Association, where she has served as chair of the real estate section.