Liz Hart is the President of Leasing in North America at Newmark, one of the leading commercial real estate advisory firms in the United States. With 20 years in the industry, Liz is recognized as one of the highest-ranking women in U.S. commercial real estate. Her career has been marked by significant influence in Silicon Valley, where she played a pivotal role in various dealings with Fortune 50 companies. 

As a respected leader in the industry, Liz shares her insights into the changing dynamics of the market, particularly against the backdrop of technological advancements such as artificial intelligence and the evolving needs of modern office spaces. She reflects on her career journey, celebrating her 20th anniversary in the field, and the influences that shaped her path, including figures like Marianne Tighe.

Throughout the conversation, Liz emphasizes the importance of adapting to current trends, like the increasing demand for flexible office spaces and the rise of data centers due to the AI boom. Liz also touches on the significance of surrounding oneself with top talent and using data-driven insights to navigate market complexities. 

Key Takeaways:

• Commercial real estate demand is witnessing growth, with a more significant proportion of companies seeking to increase their office space, particularly in technology and financial services sectors.
• The role of data centers is expanding due to advancements in artificial intelligence, influencing the location and development needs of such infrastructures.
• Flexible office solutions are becoming a preferred model for businesses, empowering them to focus on core activities while outsourcing operational logistics.
• Liz identifies leadership and adaptability as essential qualities for success in real estate, aiming to inspire women and emerging professionals to pursue industry and leadership roles.

Notable Quotes:

• "One woman that I really looked up even from San Francisco is Marianne Tighe at CBRE… she's someone whose career I've always watched and admired."
• "Power drives the show. Right. So where can you get power and how can you get it there?"
• "Once it's in your blood, you want a cold call… CEO and senior executives still cold calling people."
• "If I can do this, that I probably would be able to be a different inspiration and role models for more people across the industry."

Resources:

• Newmark
• "Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi
• "The Hard Thing About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz
• "CEO Excellence" by Carolyn Dewar
• "Trillion Dollar Coach" by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle

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