Emily Nicoll
Market Leader
Transwestern
Minneapolis
Emily Nicoll is the dynamic Market Leader for Transwestern’s Minneapolis office, where she spearheads efforts to grow operations, enhance client services, recruit top talent, and create business opportunities.
With more than two decades of experience in commercial real estate, Nicoll has built a career defined by innovation, collaboration, and a deep commitment to authenticity and integrity.
Her expertise encompasses opportunity analysis, strategic planning, team building, and delivering cutting-edge client services. Nicoll’s approach is rooted in the practice of “generous listening,” which fosters meaningful connections with clients and colleagues. She combines this with a steadfast focus on trust and transparency to cultivate lasting relationships.
“I absolutely love the variety of the commercial real estate world—no two deals or clients are ever the same, and the cyclical nature of the market keeps us in a constant state of learning and evolution,” Nicoll said. “The journey to a successful real estate outcome demands trust, clear communication, and creativity. Relationship-building is central to success, and that has been incredibly rewarding throughout my career.”
Since joining Transwestern, Nicoll has been instrumental in driving the company’s progress. One of the leaders of Transwestern’s national SOAR Program, Emily supports top-performing brokers with mentorship, advanced training, and elevated marketing resources. Her leadership also extends to the company’s Tenant Advisory Workstream Committee, where she was pivotal in planning the Tenant Advisory and Workplace Solutions Summit. This event connects brokers nationwide, sharing best practices and tools to deliver exceptional tenant advisory services.
Nicoll’s influence goes beyond the office. She dedicates time to community and philanthropic efforts, supporting causes such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Make-A-Wish, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Her passion for giving back mirrors her professional ethos of fostering meaningful connections.
Her success is fueled by a philosophy of authenticity and service.
“I strive to be the same person in the office on a Tuesday as I am at the ice rink watching youth hockey at an ungodly hour on a Saturday,” Nicoll said. “In our industry, it’s obvious when someone approaches a relationship with an agenda. I focus on playing the long game—being of service and a connector. When you lead with those principles, success follows.”
Nicoll’s dedication to the Minneapolis commercial real estate community is unwavering. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President at CBRE in its Occupier Services Group. She is an active member of Minnesota Commercial Real Estate Women (MNCREW), where she served as Board President, and the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors (MNCAR). She frequently shares her insights as a speaker at events such as the MNCAR State of Brokerage 2024 and the Minnesota Real Estate Journal’s Women in Real Estate Summit. A LEED-accredited professional, she remains a leader in sustainability initiatives.
Outside of work, Nicoll is deeply involved in causes close to her heart, including the Alzheimer’s Association, the Children’s Theatre Company, and Milkweed Editions, an independent literary publisher.
In her personal life, Nicoll enjoys Minnesota’s natural beauty with her family, hiking, fishing, camping, and skiing. A self-described novice skater, she embraces the challenges of learning new skills inspired by her hockey-loving family.
“I’m the slowest and clumsiest on the ice,” Nicoll said. “But I believe we should never stop pushing ourselves outside our comfort zones.”
