From Martinsville to Manhattan – The Lease I Can Do

I never thought getting my real estate license in high school would be the first step toward pitching deals in Charlotte, working on projects in Manhattan, and flying out to Vegas on a national real estate scholarship.

My journey into commercial real estate started long before I ever stepped foot on UNC’s campus — it began when my family moved from Martinsville, Virginia to Greensboro, North Carolina. Our real estate agent, after seeing my interest, encouraged me to earn my real estate license even before I began college. That advice stuck. By the time I arrived at UNC Chapel Hill as an Assured Admit to Kenan-Flagler Business School, I knew I wanted to pursue something in the business world — and real estate was already pulling me in.

Finding Direction at UNC

During my freshman year, I joined the Undergraduate Real Estate Club and met Lynn Tocci, the director of the Wood Center for Real Estate Studies. Lynn quickly became a mentor and encouraged me to join the REDI (Real Estate Diversity Initiative) Program, which provided foundational knowledge, technical skills, and exposure to professionals across the industry. That program was a turning point. It helped me solidify my interest in commercial over residential real estate and prepared me to begin recruiting seriously for CRE opportunities.

Early Industry Experience

In spring of my sophomore year, I interned with Project Destined, where I helped pitch a multifamily development in Charlotte, NC in partnership with the Quarterra Group. From market research to financial modeling and presentation strategy, the experience showed me how collaborative and analytical real estate can be.

That summer, I joined CBRE in New York, where I worked with the project management team and gained exposure to large-scale property operations. Beyond my core role, I also spent time learning about CBRE’s other lines of business — including Investment Banking, Brokerage, Consulting, Agency Leasing, and Property Management — which gave me a broader understanding of the firm’s ecosystem and how different services align to create value.

Recognition & New Horizons

That momentum led to one of the most meaningful moments of my journey so far — receiving the Milton Cooper Trailblazer in Real Estate Award from ICSC. The award came with a $10,000 scholarship and the opportunity to attend ICSC Las Vegas, where I was surrounded by some of the most innovative leaders in retail development. That experience deepened my drive to work in this industry and reminded me how many different paths exist within it.

Where I Am Now

This summer, I’m interning at J.P. Morgan on the Client Solutions team within the Securities Services department. The role gives me a different lens — but a complementary one — into how institutional capital flows through the finance ecosystem. It’s sharpening my client-focused thinking and giving me new tools to bring back to the development side of the table.

Looking Ahead

As I enter my senior year at UNC, I’m actively recruiting for full-time roles in commercial real estate — especially in development, investment, or strategy roles where I can combine analytical thinking with long-term impact. These past few years have taught me how much I value work that is fast-paced, collaborative, and city-shaping.

If you're reading this and have advice, a connection, or simply a shared passion for real estate — let’s connect. The lease I can do is keep learning.