Orange County Power Women

Lisa Bartlett

Chairwoman
Orange County Board of Supervisors

Born and raised in Southern California, Supervisor Lisa Bartlett has been a resident of South Orange County for more than 20 years. Lisa began her career in public service when she was first elected to Dana Point City Council in 2006. This opportunity led to her serving as both Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem for the city. Supervisor Bartlett was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018 to represent the Fabulous Fifth District. She was unanimously elected by her Board colleagues to serve as Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors for 2019. In both her public and private life, Supervisor Bartlett is known for supporting projects she believes will improve economic development, property values, and overall quality of life. She brings that prolific vision to the Fifth District and Orange County at large, and is a strong proponent of fiscal responsibility, accountability, and greater transparency in government. In addition to her role on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Lisa represents her constituents on 14 regional and state boards and commissions. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Transportation Authority, Orange County Fire Authority, Transportation Corridor Agency, South Coast Air Quality Management District, and numerous other boards and commissions. She is also First Vice President of the California State Association of Counties. Lisa earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance, a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and became a Certified PMP (Project Management Professional) as well as a licensed Real Estate Broker. Her professional career spans many decades and includes holding executive management positions in a worldwide computer software company, a project management consulting firm, and several law firms. In addition to her professional career, Supervisor Bartlett has always been actively involved in philanthropic work and several non-profit organizations such as Children’s Hospital Queen of Hearts Guild Symphony, the Dana Point Historical Society, Dana Point Lighthouse Society, and the Dana Point Relay for Life.

Sue O'Bannon

CFO, West
Trammell Crow Residential

Sue has been involved in real estate finance for over 20 years in a variety of roles. With TCR since 2004, Sue oversees debt and equity financing for TCR’s new developments in the Western United States. In addition, she oversees asset management and dispositions for TCR’s remaining West Coast operating properties and land holdings. Prior to joining TCR, Sue was a Vice President and Manager of the National Accounts group at Bank of the West, where she originated and managed loans for for-sale residential, apartment, retail, office, industrial and land/land development projects. Earlier, Sue served as a Vice President at Citicorp, in the Commercial Real Estate Group, and was involved in loan work-outs, asset disposition (OREO and loans) and investment banking. Sue graduated from Claremont McKenna College and earned her MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA.

Laura Archuleta

President & CEO
Jamboree Housing

Laura Archuleta strongly believes, “a complete community includes housing choices for all families." Since 1999, Laura has focused Jamboree Housing Corporation on the relentless pursuit of quality housing that people can afford. She’s guided Jamboree from a small, Irvine, CA-based nonprofit developer of affordable and workforce housing with 750 homes into a leading statewide provider of more than 7,500 homes in more than 75 communities. While she’s proud of Jamboree’s expanding portfolio, it’s the faces behind these numbers that matter to her most. In 2001, her desire to go beyond housing and provide needed services for residents, and her vision for healthy communities, motivated Jamboree to start an in-house Resident Services Group – one of the industry’s first – that fosters learning, healthy living and community building for residents. These crucial services empower Jamboree residents to excel in school, cultivate strong friendships and develop more active lifestyles. Laura remains passionate about the award-winning quality of Jamboree housing and services in neighborhoods throughout California. A gifted visionary and an exceptional innovator, she simultaneously creates a spirit of collaboration among her staff and external partners, while relaying her inspiring sense of mission and maximizing the talents and skills of those around her. She has a dynamic directoral style that keeps Jamboree on the cutting-edge of the industry. And, people have taken notice: In 2014, Laura was named “Person of the Year” by the Southern California BIA 55+ Housing Council for her commitment to providing innovative housing for seniors. She serves on a number of industry boards. Laura’s personal commitment to affordable housing spans more than 25 years. Her own family experience drew her initially to the nonprofit housing sector. Her mother was born and lived in public housing growing up – instilling in Laura a strong sense of community and compassion. Prior to joining Jamboree, she held several public sector positions, and her advocacy has led to the production and/or preservation of more than 10,000 high quality homes for low-income families and seniors. What does she love about her job? “I believe we have a tremendous impact on so many people’s lives and the way we go about doing that continues to change.”

Kim Bucklew

Managing Director
Alliance Residential

As the Managing Director, Kim Bucklew is responsible for multifamily development across Southern California, including the review, negotiation, coordination and processing of all property transactions. Her background includes acquisitions and due diligence of new development sites, as well as development management for market-rate apartments, student housing and senior living communities. Ms. Bucklew is an active member of Urban Land Institute, ULI, Young Leader Mentorship Program, Urban Development Mixed Use Council – Silver Flight, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Atlanta Multifamily Network in Atlanta. She received an MBA from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Ella Shaw Neyland

President
Steadfast Companies

Ella Shaw Neyland serves as President and affiliated director of Steadfast Apartment REIT III. She also serves as President and an affiliated director of Steadfast Apartment REIT and Steadfast Income REIT, positions she has held since October 2012. From October 2011 to September 2012, Ms. Neyland served as an independent director and Audit Committee Chair of Steadfast Income REIT. Ms. Neyland has considerable experience in real estate investment, development and finance. Most recently, while with Montecito Medical Investment Company, she advised the company in the acquisition of 43 medical properties with over two million square feet in 13 states, as well as the acquisition of 8,300 apartments in 29 communities. From 2001 to 2004, Ms. Neyland served as Executive VP, Treasurer and Investor Relations Officer of United Dominion Realty Trust (“UDR”), where she was responsible for capital market transactions, banking relationships, and presentations to investors and Wall Street analysts. Ms. Neyland also was a voting member of UDR’s Investment Committee, which oversaw the repositioning of over $3 billion of investments. Prior to 2001, Ms. Neyland served as the CFO at Sunrise Housing, a privately-owned multifamily development company, and as the Senior VP of Finance and the VP of Troubled Debt Restructures/Finance for the Lincoln Property Company, a multifamily development and property management firm. In addition to her extensive real estate background, Ms. Neyland has held executive positions in the banking industry, including CIBC, BancOne and Frost Bank. Ms. Neyland is currently a Board member for the Investment Program Association (IPA) and she is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Ms. Neyland received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Linda Padilla-Smyth

CEO
Padilla Smyth & Associates

Real Estate and Financial Advisory: PS&A is a full service real estate brokerage and economic consulting firm that specializes in matching private sector real estate opportunities with public sector land use policies, joint development opportunities, economic development policies and financing/incentive programs. Affordable Housing: Provides Consulting Services to improve existing affordable housing supply and to expand the supply of housing for low to moderate individuals with grant administration and affordable housing development.

Kristine Ridge

City Manager
Santa Ana

In January of this year Kristine became the third City Manager for the City of Laguna Niguel since its incorporation in 1989. Kristine has a 29-year distinguished public service career. With the last 24 years holding multiple executive level positions in the largest city in Orange County, where she demonstrated success in managing complex programs, extensive understanding of fiscal management, ability to manage large projects, and commitment to transparent government and continuous improvement. In her most recent role prior to joining Laguna Niguel she was responsible for coordination of many municipal initiatives and serving as a liaison for all major developments while overseeing strategic planning. Kristine began her career as financial auditor. She possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Arizona State University and Masters in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University.

Sharon Kline

Executive Vice President
CBRE

Ms. Kline joined CBRE Capital Market, Inc. (formerly L. J. Melody & Company) in January 1997 after 17 years at two other mortgage banking firms. In addition to her mortgage banking experience, she spent five years at Nationwide Life Insurance Company and one year at MetLife. Ms. Kline has extensive experience in all property types, with an emphasis on multi-family, retail, and office and with an array of lenders including life insurance companies, Freddie Mac and conduits. In addition, she has extensive experience in originating, underwriting and closing tax exempt bond transactions. Since 1997, she has been involved in over 200 debt/equity and tax-exempt transactions with total fundings in excess of $5.0 billion.

Bianca Curtis

Director
Link Logistics

Nancy Shultz

President - West Region
Duke Realty

Ms. Shultz comes to Duke Realty from Dermody Properties where she was Senior Vice President of Capital Deployment for the Southwest Region. Her responsibilities included acquisitions and management of industrial assets and development sites in Southern California. Prior to joining Dermody Properties, she served as Vice President of Capital Deployment at Prologis and AMB Property Corporation. Ms. Shultz holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from Mississippi State University and is a former CPA. She is active in the Southern California NAIOP chapter and is an organizing committee member for the annual UCLA versus USC Real Estate Challenge.

Pamela Andes

Partner
Allen Matkins

For nearly 30 years, environmental and real estate lawyer Pamela Andes has worked hand in hand with developers and property owners to bring world-class developments to sites challenged with soil, soil vapor, and groundwater contamination. A strong and steady advocate for her clients, Pam has mitigated hundreds of millions of dollars of environmental liabilities and has shepherded a multitude of complex projects to completion. Pam’s multidisciplinary skill set and experience, combined with her upstanding reputation among agencies, consultants, and counterparties, can give new developments or redevelopment projects facing environmental concerns a distinct advantage—expedited decisions and a smoother path to resolution. On the lender side, Pam brings her perspectives in environmental and real estate law to evaluate the risk of financing and/or foreclosing on environmentally challenged collateral. Pam helps her clients—typically large developers, institutional investors, and individual property owners—protect human health and the environment while simultaneously working within the time frame and cost range required to meet business objectives. She routinely identifies and implements creative strategies to make the deals happen. Pam is often at the center of helping her clients understand and minimize risks through contractual arrangements with counterparties or responsible parties, agreements with regulatory agencies, and/or environmental insurance policies, which serve an important role in resolving many site issues. She also oversees the work of risk assessors, consultants, litigation experts, and public relations professionals. She has extensive experience with understanding, messaging, and mitigating vapor intrusion, including the complexities of indoor air sampling and vapor barriers, sub-slab depressurization systems, and positive pressure solutions, among others.Having worked on all sides of real estate deals from purchase to permitting and from leasing to sale, Pam considers the entire lifecycle of development when looking at an acquisition or project plan. She is fluent in the potential obstacles for the full range of stakeholders—purchasers, lenders, contractors, landlords, tenants, buyers, regulatory agencies, and the public at large—as well as methods for positioning a real estate asset in light of its environmental condition for the property owner's future exit strategy. Due to her highly-developed knowledgebase, Pam takes the facts of a deal, translates the technically complex into everyday language for her clients, and prioritizes and highlights what matters. Clients say they rely upon her excellent judgment, efficiency, and responsive and attentive service, as well as her access to an extensive network of additional problem solvers, which she shares freely. A key feature of her practice is her ability to connect landowners and developers to the right people who can help them on their sites, supported by the resources of Allen Matkins attorneys in complementary disciplines. Pam has been an instrumental team member in numerous large, complicated projects throughout California, such the Burbank Empire Center, the converted former Boeing facilities in Long Beach, and multiple acquisitions and ground up developments for a Silicon Valley global tech company. Pam loves to help people, so she also works with individual property owners in cases where decades-old environmental problems on land or in buildings are discovered and require a resolution before properties are sold or redeveloped. Outside her client work, Pam serves as the Chair of the Allen Matkins Community Outreach Committee, where she leads lawyers and staff in sustaining charitable works.

Erika Urbani

CFO
R.D. Olson

Erika oversees all aspects of the company’s finances including accounting and reporting, forecasting, budgeting, banking, surety, risk management, and information systems. She is a prominent member of the company’s strategic business planning team, where she continuously promotes industry best practices to enhance efficiency and profitability. Rising through the ranks of R.D. Olson, Erika has been an integral part of our team for over 23 years. She is a past National Chairman of the Construction Financial Management Association and past President of its Orange County chapter. She has conducted CCIFP (Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional) overview seminars on accounting and reporting for candidates interested in sitting for the exam.

Rochelle Mills

Director
HiFund

Rochelle Mills leads Innovative Housing Opportunities and its Housing Innovation Fund (HIFund) affiliate. HIFund devises creative private financing to deliver catalytic and comprehensive affordable housing developments. Ms. Mills brings a diverse background in architecture, design, construction administration, community planning, writing, and cultural tourism. She is immediate past president of the Southern California Association of NonProfit Housing (SCANPH) and serves on several public and nonprofit boards (including CAL-ALHFA and Arts for LA), services committees, and leader groups.

Lillian Kuo

SVP
Shea Properties

Stacy Stemen

SVP, Corporate Marketing & Development
Passco Companies

Stacy Stemen is a real estate industry marketing specialist. Throughout her 20-year marketing career, she has successfully driven brand growth and business development for several national companies. As Vice President, Corporate Marketing for Passco Companies, Mrs. Stemen oversees all aspects of marketing, public relations, special events, conferences and business development for the firm. In this role, she spearheads the development of the Passco brand and manages the strategic growth of the company’s visibility across the nation. Prior to joining Passco Companies, Mrs. Stemen worked for nearly two decades in the marketing industry, most recently serving in a leadership role for Thompson National Properties’ marketing division. Mrs. Stemen is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton, and is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), sits on the Conference Planning Committee for the Alternative and Direct Investment Securities Association (ADISA) and President for Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) – Orange County Chapter. In 2016, Ms. Stemen was nominated by the Orange County Business Journal as a “Woman in Business” and recognized as a “Woman of Influence” by Real Estate Forum.

Mollie Carmichael

Principal
Meyers Research

Mollie is a leading strategist with a career spanning 25+ years as a builder, developer, and consultant in the residential real estate industry. Her experience includes conducting market studies throughout the country, land acquisition strategies, business planning for future growth, competitive product research, and even tactical marketing planning and design. Most notably, she has been a thought leader with consumer insights and product research throughout the nation. Since 2011, Mollie led one of the largest consumer survey efforts for the new home building industry with 10,000 to 20,000+ home shoppers. The survey effort revealed what consumers value and what they will pay for in their next community and home. Prior to joining Meyers Research, Mollie was a Principal with John Burns Real Estate Consulting for almost 10 years. In addition, Mollie served as Vice President of Strategic Marketing for Lennar and Kovach Marketing, Regional Vice President of Strategic Marketing for Pulte Homes/Del Webb for the California Region, and Vice President of Residential Product Planning for The Irvine Company.

Janne Cordova

Property Manager
RiverRock Real Estate Group

Janne Cordova holds over 15 years of commercial real estate and financial services experience. She is a Property Manager at RiverRock Real Estate Group, a property, asset and construction management firm who provides management and accounting services for over 28 million square feet of commercial and industrial properties. In Janne’s current role, she is involved in the portfolio management of office, medical, and industrial use asset types. Janne has held various positions in real estate, such as property manager, associate vice president in REIT investment sales, and underwriter. Her property management experience includes over 8 years of hands-on, commercial experience, working closely with various construction, asset management, acquisitions, and brokerage teams. She is versed in the operations and financials management of commercial assets, with experience in vendor management, lease administration, rent collection, annual budgets, cash flow analysis, CAM reconciliations, and the execution of monthly variance report narratives. Her client partnership experience includes private and institutional investment partners, such as UBS, Guggenheim, CIGNA, Westbrook and Walton. In aggregate, her hands-on management experience includes over 25 industrial, office, and medical properties totaling more than 3 million SF, the management of over 50 capital improvements, and the training of more than 24 portfolio staff members. A high-level of customer service and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with her clients, vendors, and team members is of extreme importance to Janne. She has an attention to detail, and consistently evaluates services and recommendations of each asset, keeping each client’s financial objectives in mind. Janne holds her California Department of Real Estate Salesperson license, and has obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. An advocate for continuing education and the mentorship of up and coming professionals, Janne has served on several BOMA Orange County committees, including positions as chairperson and interim director of Industry Programs. She also recently served as leader of the Nominations Committee for CREW Orange County’s 2019 Spire Awards, an organization committed to furthering the career of women in real estate. In her spare time, Janne stays active, reads, and enjoys her family and friends. She also likes to give back to her community through various charities such as CASA, the Second Harvest Food Bank, and the Orangewood Foundation.

Regan Donoghue

Regional Workplace Manager West Coast Lead
Newmark Knight Frank

Ekta Naik

Managing Director & Senior Vice President
Picerne Group

Ekta Naik has more than 16 years of experience in real estate development, project management and design. As the Managing Director and Senior Vice President of Development at The Picerne Group she heads the development team. Prior to joining The Picerne Group, she worked at the Alliance Residential Company as a Development Director and was involved in developing and acquiring 2,300+ multifamily units in Southern California with a total capitalization of over $1 Billion. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member to JSK Ventures, a real estate investment group. During her career, Ms. Naik has successfully led high-profile multi-billion dollar public-private partnership mixed use developments on the East Coast and the Midwest. She previously worked at Skidmore, Ownings and Merrill on large scale mixed-use multi-billion dollar developments across the world. Ms. Naik has a Masters in Urban Planning and Architecture from Cornell University and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business with a concentration in Finance.

Jinger Tapia

Design Principal
Ware Malcomb

Irene Kim

Shareholder
Greenberg Traurig

Irene Pyun Kim focuses her practice on working with real estate investment trusts (REITs), real estate funds and their advisors, and banks in connection with the purchase and sale and financing of commercial properties, as well as the origination, acquisition, structuring, and restructuring of mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, and other subordinate debt financings. Additionally, her practice includes representation of real estate funds in connection with the formation and negotiation of joint ventures. Irene's practice also includes representation of commercial banks and real estate developers in connection with the origination of construction loans, permanent loans, and multi-phase residential projects.