As senior associate at the Chicago office of Bradford Allen, Katrina Dougherty regularly takes on a variety of tasks, including tracking tenants in the market, collaborating on promotional materials, assisting with showings, handling broker outreach and planning and organizing broker events.
Dougherty, then, has become a key player at Bradford Allen. This isn’t surprising: She made her mark, too, at Hines, where she spent four years as a tenant services coordinator before moving to Bradford Allen.
What steps has Dougherty taken to succeed in commercial real estate? And what are her goals for the future? Here’s some of what Dougherty had to say about her busy real estate career.
Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school?
My family moved to the northwest suburbs of Chicago from Orange County, California, when I was in grade school, and this has been home ever since. My educational journey took me to Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where I studied communications and marketing. During my time in college, I engaged in a variety of internships, including positions with a for-cause wine company and a startup residential real estate firm, before taking my first full-time position in healthcare marketing.
How did you get your start in the industry?
Real estate had always interested me and seemed like a good fit for my passion for people and my preference for a fast-paced environment. My career in commercial real estate began when I accepted a property management role at Hines, where I worked on an Irvine Company-owned trophy tower throughout my tenure. This role provided me with a solid foundation in the industry and was a great opportunity to experience every part of the business, from accounting to operations to leasing. Over time, I discovered a passion for the leasing side of the business, which led me to transition into a brokerage role as a landlord representative at Bradford Allen.
Did you have a mentor who helped you get on your feet, or is there someone you turn to now for support?
Tom Irvine and Ja’Net Deason were instrumental in guiding me through my initial years in CRE at Hines, providing invaluable insights that shaped my understanding of the industry. At Bradford Allen, Andy DeMoss has been a pivotal mentor, generously sharing his time, knowledge and experience in leasing.
What does an average day at work look like?
In leasing, every day is different! An average day involves a mix of property tours, proposal drafting, broker relations, tenant interactions, lease negotiations, ownership calls and more. Additionally, I make it a priority to stay current with the Chicago market trends to provide well-informed leasing recommendations and ensure our clients are optimally positioned. The job is dynamic and thrilling, and I thoroughly enjoy the energy it brings.
What do you like most about your job?
What I find most rewarding is the deal-making aspect of my job. In this market, deals can sometimes drag, and it’s easy to lose perspective. However, persistently pushing good deals forward day by day, and then, months later, witnessing incredible buildouts — along with happy tenants and owners — is an unparalleled feeling. It’s incredibly motivating to see an asset thrive and to know that I played a part in that success. Our portfolio includes several landmark buildings, and watching these iconic, historical assets successfully compete with new developments is particularly gratifying.
Looking to the future, what do you hope to achieve/work on that you haven’t already?
I hope to grow my skills each year; deepen relationships with existing clients, brokers and tenants; and build new ones. Recently, my role at the firm has shifted toward business development. I’m excited about this transition and look forward to pursuing opportunities that will allow us to expand our portfolio.
How do you spend your time away from the office?
Outside of work, my priorities are faith, family and friends. I also enjoy traveling, discovering new spots in Chicago and staying active. I’m always eager to pick up new hobbies. Currently, I’m loving pickleball and sewing.
