Alexis Matt serves as the Vice President of Newmark’s Property Management division in the Phoenix, AZ office. With over a decade of experience in property management, Alexis is a seasoned professional with expertise in managing Class-A office, retail, industrial, and medical commercial real estate.

With a diverse skill set, Alexis brings extensive experience in construction management, accounting practices, tenant relations, building operations, due diligence, lease negotiations, dispositions, and sustainability practices. Her deep understanding of different asset types and a wide range of tenants and clients allows her to develop innovative strategies tailored to each real estate owner’s investment goals.

Alexis takes pride in her strong relationships with industry partners, including brokerage teams, vendors, architects, engineers, attorneys, and general contractors. By collaborating with these key stakeholders, she develops and implements the best business plans to exceed the ever-changing needs of real estate clients.

Alexis is a visionary leader recognized for her ability to manage high-profile projects with efficiency and precision. Her expertise extends across construction management, accounting, tenant relations, and sustainability practices, all of which have been instrumental in driving client success. By building strong and lasting tenant relationships, Alexis has successfully fostered trust and loyalty, enhancing the overall value of the projects she manages.

A forward-thinking strategist, Alexis continually develops innovative investment strategies that not only meet but exceed client expectations. Her approach is grounded in a deep understanding of market trends and client needs, facilitating business plans that are both robust and adaptable. By leveraging her extensive industry partnerships, Alexis ensures that each endeavor is well-supported and positioned for long-term success.

Beyond her technical acumen, Alexis excels in her capacity to inspire and instill confidence within her team. She has a unique ability to nurture talent, creating a dynamic and collaborative work environment that empowers team members to perform at their best. Her inclusive leadership style encourages innovation and accountability, making her team an integral part of the company’s achievements.

Anna Sepic joined SRS Real Estate Partners in 2025 and serves as a Senior Vice President in the Phoenix office. Anna specializes in buyer representation with an emphasis on owner-user and industrial land development. Anna represents clients in land deals throughout Metro Phoenix as well as property in Metro Tucson, Yuma, and Flagstaff. Prior to joining SRS, Anna was a senior vice president at NAI Horizon. She previously served as Vice President at LevRose Commercial Real estate. She also has her own investment company, focused on renovating homes with a specialty in the repositioning of multifamily properties facing mismanagement and blight across Metro Phoenix.

Anna holds a master’s in real estate development from Arizona State University. She also has a B.A. in psychology, a B.S. in justice studies and social inquiry and a minor in English from ASU. She is fluent in Croatian.

In 2010, Ashley Harder founded Harder Development based in downtown Phoenix. She serves as its principal real estate developer with extensive experience in adaptive reuse, historic preservation and redevelopment projects.

Ashley’s objective with Harder Development is to provide distinctive commercial spaces that retain a building’s historic character and offer a creative work environment for new and growing businesses. Her projects have included restoring the historic Henry Campbell House that is on

the National Register of Historic Places and developing a mixed use office/retail property called 335 Commons through utilization of the City of Phoenix’s Adaptive Reuse Pilot Program in 2010.

Ashley represents Harder Development in its leasing and has established a track record of developing properties that are easy to lease and have loyal, long-term tenants. She also acts as property manager, designs and oversees tenant improvements and is project manager for construction projects often self-performing.

Knowing that a good developer is involved in the community, Ashley is active in local organizations and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA) a premier business leadership organization that advocates for a stronger and equitable downtown Phoenix. She also serves on the Board of Directors with the Downtown Phoenix Community Development Corporation that works to advance the development and redevelopment of housing and mixed-use projects in downtown Phoenix. She has served on committees and panels with Local First Arizona and the Urban Land Institute (ULI).

Ashley has a deep affinity for the arts, historic preservation and values being of service to the community where she lives and works which has been demonstrated in her community forward approach to her development work. Often meeting with key stakeholders as a first step to planning projects and integrating unique needs and interests into the design that are discovered during the planning stages. Believing that it is imperative that we bring more voices to the table

for the discussion on how to build for the future Ashley often acts as community advocate bridging together neighborhoods and interest groups with City of Phoenix leadership.

In 2021 Ashley joined Preserve Phoenix as their Interim Executive Director to lead the development of the non-profit organization that focuses on educating, advocating and promoting Historic Preservation in Phoenix Arizona. As the managing partner of The Covarrubias Collection, an arts and culture entity, she is blending her business and development

experience with public art. Currently she is project managing the public art planned for the APS Grant Street Substation project in South Phoenix which is planned to host a visual timeline of the history of South Phoenix.

An avid patron and supporter of the Arts, Ashley has hosted a number of art-focused events, including curating at the Arizona State Senate Building and the Arizona Capitol Museum from 2014 to 2017. From 2014 to 2017 Ashley was a partner and co-curator at Treeo, a gallery and Artspace located in the Roosevelt Row Arts District.

Beth Jo Zeitzer is the President and Designated Broker of R.O.I. Properties, a full-service real estate advisory and brokerage firm based in Phoenix. Before founding R.O.I. Properties, Beth Jo, served as the Director of Commercial Properties at Del Webb Corporation where she handled $96 million in real estate transactions and a 600-acre commercial property portfolio which included: regional and neighborhood retail centers, business, medical and professional offices, industrial parks, and light industrial spaces.

She is experienced in commercial development including planning, entitlement, infrastructure delivery, budgeting and financial oversight, marketing analysis, sales and marketing, contract negotiation, design review, and construction monitoring. Beth Jo is a licensed attorney in Arizona and California and is a licensed real estate Broker in Arizona.

An Arizona resident since 1971, Beth Jo graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in General Research (with Real Estate and Marketing emphasis). She is also a graduate of the University of San Diego Law School, where she was the Research Editor of the Law Review and the recipient of the Hahn Award for Excellence in Real Estate.

With more than 18 years of experience in both the construction and architecture industries, Candace brings invaluable knowledge and expertise to each project assignment. As Vice President, Candace develops and implements project-specific strategies to ensure successful and consistent outcomes for CCG’s client. Candace holds a master’s of science degree in Construction Management from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s of science Business Management, Marketing from the San Francisco State University.

With over ten years in the industry, Cassie Wells used her experience as a corporate sales manager for a leading national audio-visual integrator to uncover her deep-seated passion for project and connection hunting. She gained invaluable insights into the essence of business while being immersed in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. She learned that true success in business isn't just about contracts and transactions; it's about fostering exceptional connections, nurturing authentic relationships, and maintaining deep respect for everyone you work with.

Driven by these insights and experiences, Cassie founded Modern Business Development (Modern BD) in 2022. Modern BD is not just a company; it's a solution to a gap she observed in the market. It caters to subcontractors who require expert business development services but may not be ready to make the financial leap for a full-time director of business development.

Dala Al-Fuwaires is the Owner and Principal Designer at House of Form, the Scottsdale-based boutique design firm that specializes in creating memorable spaces and meaningful experiences for guests and customers. With degrees in Interior Design (B.S., Arizona State University) and Fine Arts (MFA, Purdue University), Dala brings more than a decade of design experience to every hospitality and retail project, from locally-owned restaurants to national rollouts. In her free time, Dala enjoys teaching Interior Design at ASU, embarking on culinary and architectural explorations of the world’s top destinations, hosting dinner parties for friends, and enjoying nature with her husband, Airabin, and their Siberian Husky, Simba.

Emily Ganem is the dynamic Executive Vice President of Ganem Companies, a leading force in the construction industry based in Phoenix, Arizona. With a management degree from the University of Phoenix, Emily brings a blend of strategic vision and hands-on leadership to her role, driving the company's growth and strategic development. Since stepping into the construction industry over five years ago, Emily has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's trajectory. In her two years as EVP, she has been instrumental in overseeing the accounting and marketing teams, leveraging their strengths to catapult the company's strategic growth. Emily excels in bridging the gap between strategic planning and execution, ensuring that initiatives are aligned with the company’s long-term goals and market opportunities. Emily's leadership extends beyond the boardroom. She is actively involved in mentoring emerging leaders within the company, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Her commitment to community engagement is evident through her involvement with local organizations, reinforcing her belief that strong community ties are essential for sustainable business success. Known for her energetic approach and results-driven mindset, Emily thrives on turning challenges into opportunities. Her work is characterized by a relentless pursuit of growth, learning, and creating meaningful impacts—both within the company and in the broader construction sector. In addition, Emily is also the co-owner of Sky Restaurant Concepts (parent company of Squid Ink Sushi, Highball Cocktail Bar, and Sparrow (coming soon to Peoria) and also serves as a board member for Child Crisis Arizona.

When she's not leading projects or strategizing for growth, Emily enjoys spending quality time with her family, engaging in self-work, meditation, and fitness. Her passion for personal development mirrors her professional ethos: to continuously evolve, inspire, and lead with purpose.

Jaime brings 25 years of industry experience to her role as Senior Vice President of Healthcare Development, where she oversees development, market growth and strategy for Ryan healthcare in the Western Division. She collaborates with health systems, physician groups, owners and operators to develop new and repurposed healthcare facilities. She facilitates growth strategies through real estate acquisitions, development, creative capital solutions and building services. A proven leader with comprehensive and diversified industry perspective, Jaime provides creative approaches to identifying reasonable and attainable solutions. Using detailed analyses, research, critical thinking and problem solving, she identifies the most efficient and effective means to achieve the desired result for all parties involved.

Jaime greatly values relationship building, which she fosters through trust, integrity, respect and passion for her field. Combining her two interests of healthcare and real estate, she’s inspired to lead her division with financial aptitude, reliability, high-volume task management and prioritization, and deal creativity.

Jennifer Understahl guides large corporations in managing their owned and leased real estate portfolios. She negotiates commercial leases for both landlords and tenants; strategizes on real estate financing, including new loans and workouts of existing loans; oversees acquisition and due diligence teams; and advises on cutting-edge issues and uses, including electric vehicle charging. Jennifer also develops strategies to improve forms and team efficiencies, balancing each client's business objectives with legal risks.

Jennifer is experienced in a wide range of asset types, including industrial buildings, retail developments, senior housing facilities, offices, research and testing facilities, vacant land, and mixed-use projects. She works with both emerging companies and established corporations to strategize on sophisticated deals and assist with day-to-day real estate and leasing issues. As the lead outside real estate counsel for several tech clients, she assists with expanding office, headquarters, retail, electric vehicle charging stations, and research and development footprints both domestically and internationally. In addition, Jennifer counsels online retailers on their changing real estate needs as they move from e-commerce to brick-and-mortar sales. She also has extensive experience in commercial real estate loan workouts and represents some of the country's largest commercial mortgage-backed securities special servicers.

A leader in the firm, Jennifer is a member of the firm's Partner Compensation Committee and the firm's Strategic Diversity Committee. Additionally, she belongs to multiple national and local industry groups, including the Urban Land Institute and International Council of Shopping Centers, and serves on the Trends Day board of the Urban Land Institute Arizona.

Judi Butterworth has been selling and leasing shopping centers for over four decades. Consistently a top producer, Judi covers the full scope of retail transactions including representing tenants and leasing and selling big boxes, out parcels, net leased investments, commercial land and shopping centers. She is known for her superior market knowledge, integrity, work ethic, creativity and negotiating skills.

She has completed transactions with many national retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Safeway, Fry’s, JCPenney, Sprouts, PGA Superstore, and numerous restaurants and banks as well.

As a leader in the industry, Judi has served as a retail expert on numerous panels, including the National Globe St. Net Lease Conference 2021, in Los Angeles. She was also appointed Arizona State Director for the International Council of Shopping Centers for a 3-year term after serving 6 years on the Arizona Committee.

Judi has been involved in the community for many years working on political campaigns, county bond elections and many civic commissions like the Phoenix Zoning Board of Adjustment and Paradise Valley Planning Committee.

Keri Scott is an executive vice president with Colliers, specializing in project leasing, building sales, and tenant representation for industrial and office properties.

She represents more than 1 million square feet of properties and high-profile national and local tenants, focusing on mid-bay industrial and flex office parks, single- and multi-tenant industrial, and ground-up developments.

Keri takes a client-centric approach, ensuring clients’ interests are prioritized. She fosters collaboration between landlords and tenants, leading to successful negotiations.

With extensive experience in site selection, market research, valuation, and financial analysis, Keri develops real estate solutions tailored to each client. She is known for reliability, integrity, and deep market knowledge, building long-term relationships and inspiring referral confidence.

With 16 years of experience in commercial real estate under my belt, I’ve transitioned to the role as Vice President and Branch Manager for the Northgate Commercial Branch here at Fidelity National Title Agency Inc. Over the years, I’ve successfully closed various types of commercial transactions that total over $2 billion in liability. My team and I are adept at maintaining the highest level of customer service and professionalism for clients, whether that is proactively addressing outstanding issues, navigating tough or complex title issues, or simply answering a call or responding to an email in a timely fashion. My favorite part about working in commercial real estate is that it is always evolving, no transaction is every really the same so there’s never a dull moment!

When the market affords some down time, I enjoy getting a chance to read a good mystery/non-fiction novel; spending time with my two daughters and husband; or cuddling with our two pups - Donut & Murphy. If it's football season, you can catch me rooting on the Arizona Wildcats or Chicago Bears! Yes, even in the rough seasons.

Marlene is a licensed architect and has been working in the practice of architecture in Phoenix, Arizona for 26 years. Project experience aligns with the industries of healthcare, office, retail and light industrial. Specialty projects include compounding pharmaceuticals and highly technical environments within imaging, cardiology, and cancer care.

After attending South Carolina’s Clemson University, where she accomplished the renowned Master’s program in Architecture + Health, Marlene relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to graduate school, Marlene attended Ball State University in her home state of Indiana where she lived for 24 years.

Marlene’s dynamic knowledge of business married with technical and practical experience, provides a unique perspective to projects, and provides invaluable benefits to clients.

Michelle Jenson oversees all functions of the P.B. Bell Property Management Division as well as all new business development activities. Michelle joined P.B. Bell in 2023 with more than 20 years of multifamily housing management experience in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Michelle has extensive experience in lease-up and new development, rebranding assets, conventional assets, and repositioning assets for sale. She has been recognized for her teams’ outstanding performance, exceeding goals, cost savings and growing revenue. Michelle exemplifies strong leadership, dedication, and performance in all facets of the multihousing industry.

Prior to joining P.B. Bell, Michelle held leadership and business development roles at SRG Residential, Greystar and RPM Living. In 2018, Michelle was named Arizona Multihousing Association’s Property Supervisor of the Year. She earned her CAM Designation in 2009, holds her Arizona Broker License and currently sits on the Arizona Board of Directors for the AMA and Entryway.

As the Corporate, Commercial & Civic Studio Leader in Phoenix, Michelle is passionate about creating design solutions and shaping the built environment to connect people to one another, to a purpose greater than themselves, and to their organizations. These connections are essential to creating and strengthening a company culture rooted in mission. "From improving employee health and wellness, to boosting performance and productivity, a company’s culture will thrive or become irrelevant based upon the strength of these influences," she declares. Michelle says her work on the Valley of the Sun United Way headquarters brought this philosophy and research results to life. "The design solution implemented by our team changed dynamics within the office on a macro scale," she notes, citing a 59.7-percent increase in workplace effectiveness, as reported by staff. "Design is so much more than a pretty picture. It affects how we think and feel, which ultimately affects the success of a business."

As Senior Property Marketing Manager, Natalie Storm oversees the creation and processes of all transaction marketing materials for 600+ agents across 26 offices nationwide. She manages 30+ full-time employees and interns while also handling prospecting, screening, and interviewing as the company continues to scale the property marketing division. She helps onboard and train new agents in the transaction marketing process, helping them transition smoothly into their new roles.

Rachelle Strole is the owner and founder of Capital Asset Management, LLC (“CAM”) a full service commercial real estate firm focusing on the development and management of commercial ventures from both the developer and institutional sides of the transactions. Raised in a hospitality development family, real estate and development has been a lifelong passion. In 1998, she founded a residential custom home development company, Hermosa Homes Builders. At age 25, she purchased 50% of a mortgage banker in Arizona and grew it into a multi-state banker while getting her Direct Endorsement Underwriter delegation from HUD. In 2008, she was approached to manage the first FDIC structured sale portfolio holding over $700MM in commercial assets throughout the nation. With that opportunity, she and her husband, Aaron Strole, founded Capital Asset Management in 2009.

Still today, CAM is administering this portfolio with an end success of over 54% more return than projected. This experience has taught CAM’s team how to create, recreate and wisely deconstruct any type of commercial real estate that can be built. This experience has allowed CAM to create its development arm, Capital Development Group (“CDG”), which is now actively building retail centers and build-to-rent communities throughout Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii.

Rachelle earned a Bachelor Arts degree with a specification in Foreign Languages from Arizona State University, where she graduated Cum Laude. Together with Rachelle’s broad-based experience and knowledge in new construction, rehabilitation, development, litigation, asset management, appraisal review, brokerage/sales activity, purchase/lease negotiation, property management, and asset management, she has been called upon to serve as an expert witness, consultant, and as a bank and developer liaison for work out cases.

In Rachelle’s down time, she is a mother of 2 “amazing” kids and enjoys embarrassing them at all sporting events. The family cooks together, plays tennis together, works out together and chases around our many, many pets. Outside of the home, Rachelle is one of the first Pat Tillman Foundation Mentors and is an advocate of volunteering and devoting time and resources to improving our environment and community.

Sheley Brien is a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience spanning finance, medicine, restaurant ownership, media, and now, commercial construction. As co-owner of a thriving construction company Brien Contracting and host of the More Action Podcast, she shares candid insights and actionable strategies, helping others accelerate their growth. Balancing her roles as a business leader, competitive equestrian, wife, and mother, Sheley draws on her diverse background to inspire thoughtful, intentional action as the key to success. Her journey is proof that every step—no matter how varied—leads to future success when grounded in action and perseverance

Vanessa Williams serves as Arizona’s Market Leader and Senior Managing Director for CBRE, leading the Advisory and Transaction Services. In this role, Vanessa drives strategic initiatives to expand market presence, increase revenue, and enhance profitability. She builds and nurtures strong client relationships, identifying new business opportunities and fostering client satisfaction and retention.

As a collaborative leader, Vanessa manages a high-performance team, providing mentorship and development opportunities to professionals across the organization. She offers comprehensive advisory and transaction solutions tailored to client needs, ensuring CBRE’s platform stands out by recruiting, retaining, and boosting the productivity of top brokerage professionals.

Vanessa works closely with CBRE’s Global Group Presidents and Executive Leadership to implement enterprise strategies. She ensures efficient business operations and develops innovative approaches to maintain CBRE’s competitive edge amidst changing market dynamics. Vanessa is known for her expertise in navigating complex business challenges and applying advanced critical thinking to deliver strategic solutions.

Prior to joining CBRE, Vanessa held the role of Senior Director of Business Development & Marketing for Colliers’ West Region, where she led a diverse team of 70+ professionals. Her leadership spanned marketing, research, and public relations while driving organic growth, market share expansion, and talent recruitment. With over 18 years of experience in commercial real estate, marketing, and business development, Vanessa brings deep expertise in operations, business development, branding, asset positioning, and public relations.

Vanessa began her career in commercial real estate at Grubb & Ellis in 2007 and later joined Cushman & Wakefield as Arizona’s Marketing Manager. A strategic thinker passionate about ethical leadership, Vanessa remains committed to helping organizations thrive through innovative solutions, operational excellence, and a focus on long-term growth.

Phoenix Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien is focused on reducing bureaucracy and cutting red

tape to spur economic development and increase housing options. As Chair of the

Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee, Vice Mayor O’Brien pushes for

smart investments and policies with meaningful results to ensure Phoenix remains

competitive and attractive to companies and residents. She is committed to working in a

nonpartisan manner to keep Phoenix moving forward.

Amy Malloy started the real estate development and advisory company Evolve Ventures, LLC

with her business partner Heather Personne in 2019. In the six years since its inception, Evolve

Ventures has worked with over 40 developers, municipalities, landowners, tenants, and brokers to

bring a wide array of commercial and residential projects to fruition. Additionally, Evolve has

begun development of its own with two urban infill multi-family projects in the heart of Midtown

Phoenix and Downtown Chandler.

Prior to creating her own company, Malloy worked as Vice President of Development for the

Pederson Group, where she managed and oversaw development activity throughout Arizona.

Prior to joining the Pederson Group, Malloy worked at Evergreen Development, managing retail

development and redevelopment projects throughout Arizona, California, and Colorado. Prior to

Evergreen, Malloy was Assistant Vice President of Development at Macerich. During her almost

ten years at Macerich, she managed projects throughout the Scottsdale-Phoenix Metropolitan

Area, in Southern Arizona and in Northern Arizona, specifically concentrating on the entitlement

and redevelopment/development of Scottsdale Fashion Square, Kierland Commons, Biltmore

Fashion Park, and Arrowhead Towne Center.

Prior to joining Macerich, Malloy served as the Business Advocate in the Economic Development

department for the City of Apache Junction, AZ. In Apache Junction, she managed the

downtown redevelopment efforts, spearheaded the City’s master planning efforts for 12 square

miles of state land, and initiated a regional Economic Development Task Force.

Malloy is a member of Urban Land Institute (ULI) and serves as outgoing Chair of the Infill

Redevelopment Local Product Council and has previously served as Chair on the Arizona District

Council’s 2020 Trends Day Committee, Vice-Chair of the 2018-2019 Trends Day Committee for

Arizona’s ULI District Council, and Chair of the AZ-Technical Assistance Panel (AZ-Tap)

Committee from 2017-2019.

In 2022, she was selected to participate in Leadership West’s Class 29 and was subsequently

elected by alumni in 2023 to also serve as a board member for Leadership West. Additionally, in

2016, she received a scholarship from the National Women’s Leadership Institute for her

involvement in Arizona’s District Council. Finally, in 2006, she was recognized as one of the

Top 50 Women in Business, in The Business Journal of Phoenix.

Malloy holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Arizona, and a Bachelor

of Arts from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Malloy is a proud West Valley resident and

heavily engaged in West Valley charitable efforts, where she currently serves as a board member

for the New Life Center and for her local Upper Northwest National Charity League Chapter, as

well as serving as Chair for the Political Action Committee for the Peoria Unified School District

2025 school override campaign. She is a third generation Arizonan and has two human children

Madeleine and Brendan, and three canine children, Maggie, Winnie, and Fletch, with her husband

John.

Lauren Gerdes is an assurance partner in the national real estate practice and a real estate senior

analyst for RSM US LLP, with close to 15 years of experience delivering industry-specific insights to help

clients stay at the forefront of change. Since the start of Lauren’s RSM career, real estate has been her

passion and focus. She guides clients across the country through constantly evolving challenges,

technology trends and new ventures.

Lauren specializes working with private equity investment advisors and funds holding various equity and

debt positions in domestic and international real estate. She is adept at navigating complex accounting

and operational matters surrounding acquisitions, valuations and structures, including qualified

opportunity zone funds, real estate investment trusts and open-ended funds. Lauren was selected as a

senior analyst in RSM’s cutting-edge Industry Eminence Program in 2021. As real estate senior analyst,

Lauren works alongside the firm’s economists and industry leaders to advise clients on conditions

influencing middle market leaders. Lauren regularly presents at conferences, interfaces with the media

and writes thought leadership surrounding industry outlooks for the firm.

Lauren is also active in RSM’s employee network group STAR, which focuses on understanding the

unique experience of women in the workplace. Lauren earned her Masters of Science degree in

accounting at the University of Illinois Chicago and an Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation at

MIT – Sloan School of Management.

Away from the office, Lauren devotes time to volunteer activities with the National Society of Multiple

Sclerosis as a member of the Emerging Leaders Board and the Boys and Girls Club. She also loves

traveling and attending sporting events with her fiance, hiking with her Australian Shepherd and

competing in triathlons.

As Vice President of Escrow & Sales Operations at Commonwealth Land Title National Commercial Services, Tonya Lively utilizes her 20 plus years of Escrow

experience to provide the best in class closing services to clients in Arizona and

across the country. Her leadership has resulted in increased market share through providing education and data-based knowledge to both her escrow and sales staff but also to her clients.