As a commercial real estate broker at Paine/Wetzel, Jimena Sayavedra advises clients on the disposition or acquisition of commercial real estate assets, and helps landlords/tenants with the lease of commercial space. But although her other responsibilities include handling the due diligence of a transaction and keeping up with the market, it’s actually her many accomplishments outside the industry that’s hard to keep up with, as her active determination has her running toward more.
In the past 12 years, Sayavedra has completed more than 20 marathons while simultaneously raising a family, earning her Master’s degree and continuing to grow in her professional career.
Sayavedra knew she wanted to work in industrial real estate when she was halfway through her Masters in urban planning, and while taking classes toward her economic development specialization—she became fascinated with the intricacies of industrial site selection, the research and the location decision of a commercial property in relation to its supply chain, logistics, workforce available, and economic feasibility.
She joined a commercial real estate program, Project REAP, which brings minorities into commercial real estate, and did extensive networking where she met several decision makers from well established firms in Chicago. One of her first job opportunities in a brokerage firm eventually led her to Paine/Wetzel, where she’s been since.
One of the things she finds most rewarding is helping business owners make informed decisions with the real estate side of their business because it shows how she can positively impact the bottom line and success of their business.
Currently, Sayavedra has some clients with unique assets in terms of location and type of buildings, which she said makes it more challenging and exciting.
“It requires me to think more creatively,” she said. “And that’s exactly the best part of this job. Every day is different, every day I need to learn something new.”
One of her most memorable experiences in real estate was also a new experience, which was when she took her very first tour of a multimodal facility in Joliet.
“Being able to see the movement of goods between these very large buildings, trains, trucks, containers, it is fascinating to my eyes.”
As for now, Sayavedra said she will be enjoying the beautiful city of Chicago this summer with friends and family and will continue to work hard.
She credits yoga and running as key activities for distressing the pressures and challenges of her profession.
