The Human Side of Real Estate

Spencer Levy is Global Client Strategist and Senior Economic Advisor for CBRE, the largest commercial real estate services firm in the world. In this role, he focuses on client engagement and public-facing activities, including thought leadership work performed in conjunction with CBRE Research. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Real Estate Roundtable’s Research Committee. Spencer is frequently quoted in major business publications and appears on business television, including CNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, PBS and Fox Business. Spencer is the host of CBRE’s podcast “The Weekly Take.” He is considered one of the most insightful commentators on issues of importance to commercial real estate. Spencer has 27 years of experience in commercial real estate, including the past 15 at CBRE. In this time, he has served as a lawyer, investment banker, capital markets and senior research leader. He leverages that varied background to formulate advice and create presentations that go deep and touch on all aspects of commercial real estate. His thoughtful analysis, coupled with a highly engaging presenting style, has made him one of the most sought-after commentators and advisors in the industry. Spencer regularly speaks at major events of the country’s leading commercial real estate organizations, including CORENET, NAIOP, ULI, ICSC, NAREIM and CREW. He also has guest lectured at his alma maters Harvard and Cornell, as well as Columbia, NYU, Johns Hopkins, Indiana, Georgetown, Pitt, UCLA, USC, Ohio State and many others. Spencer is a recipient of multiple industry awards, including a two-time winner of the CORENET Luminary Award for Excellence in Public Speaking, the CBRE Trammell Crow Master Builder Award, the CBRE Gary J. Beban Teamwork Award, the CBRE Capital Markets “MVP”, and was named a State of Maryland Influencer in Real Estate and was recently given the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Commercial Real Estate by the Daily Record. While a New Yorker for most of his life, Spencer currently resides in Baltimore with his wife of 23 years and their three children. Spencer serves on the board of the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women.

Davina Linguist is the Diversity Recruiting Program Manager for CBRE, focusing on National and the Central Region. Implementing and managing national programs and partnerships to recruit diverse talent. She is also a Certified Diversity Professional, has her B.S. in Business Management, with an Advanced HR Certification from University of Nevada Las Vegas, along with being a Certified Internet Recruiter. Davina has over 20 years of combined experience in Talent Acquisitions, Human Resources, and Diversity & Inclusion initiatives.   Her experience includes, working with large private and public corporations from various industries (construction, engineering, hospitality & gaming, healthcare and technology). Davina has served on both community and IT training school boards. During Davina’s tenure, she has successfully implemented and reengineered diversity recruiting plans and programs, which have resulted in high-level return. Davina has successfully worked with HBCU’s and the Department of Energy, increasing the minority talent pool with government contractors. She also partnered with the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) to implement a global Sit With Me women’s campaign in 6 locations, including India and Brazil, promoting and bringing awareness to gender equality. Davina was the first diversity professional to implement a national diversity recruiting program for the second largest South Asian technology company; receiving an award as the top 50 Employers selected by Historical Black Colleges and Universities Students and Graduates (HBCU Connect) within two years. Davina is passionate about bringing awareness to D&I; driving diverse talent, partnering with diverse organizations and communities to help support and bring awareness to equality and intersectionality.