2016 Women in Real Estate: Sarah Pontius

Sarah Pontius, CBRE

Name: Sarah Pontius

Title: Senior Vice President

Company Name: CBRE, Inc.

Email: [email protected] 

Years in real estate: 12

Telephone: 212-984-7196

How did you get your start in real estate?

The head of design and construction for Brookfield Property Partners, Sabrina Kanner, is an alumna of my alma mater. I loved hearing about her career path when I was in school, and sought her advice about entry-level positions in the industry. I was hired as BPY’s first summer intern in 2003. That was the start of a rotational program that now has about 20 interns and 10 full-time analysts.

What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of?

I’m a member of REBNY and on the real estate board of Make-A-Wish.

What recent project or transaction are you most proud of?

In 2014, after 10 years at Brookfield, I was offered a position at CBRE to work with Mary Ann Tighe on the redevelopment and repositioning of 425 Park Ave. and 1271 Avenue of the Americas. Mary Ann is one of the top brokers in the country and has been a mentor since I started in the industry; I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with her. Some of my former colleagues were surprised by my decision to leave BPY, but I welcome challenges and these are two of the largest, most complicated projects currently underway in the city. In February 2016, we closed on the anchor tenant at 425 Park Avenue at a record-setting rent. We’re also very busy at 1271 Avenue of the Americas … stay tuned on that one.

What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why?

Of course I’m passionate about real estate, but the achievements that mean the most to me aren’t work-related. I’m on the advisory board of Make-A-Wish and a volunteer guide for Achilles International. Nothing means more to me than fulfilling the wish of a child with a life-threatening illness or guiding a disabled runner through a race.

Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why?

Competition and character have always been the strongest influences on my career. I have played sports my whole life, and I love to win. When I started my brokerage career I was occasionally warned that I might be “too honest” to survive. I took that as a compliment, and was determined not to compromise my integrity. I was fortunate at Brookfield to have had the opportunity to align myself with morally ethical, hardworking people, and I look for the same character traits in the teams I work with at CBRE. To me, that’s the key to success.