2026 Women in Commercial Real Estate: Taryn Brandes, Brand Urban

What was the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in the past 12 months, and why?

The most rewarding project of my year has been Brand Urban’s real estate partnership with Goop Kitchen. Emily Green and I were awarded the brand’s New York City brokerage business, helping shape its Manhattan market entry and rollout strategy. That relationship has grown into a national strategic advisory role, guiding Goop Kitchen’s future growth markets. We have been thought partners on their new store prototypes, culminating in our first lease: the brand’s first customer-facing flagship in Manhattan at 29 East 20^th St. in Flatiron. The NYC community’s response has been deeply gratifying.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women entering commercial real estate?

My father says it best: invest time in the people who invest their time and attention in you. It starts and ends with mentorship, not the size of a transaction or account. Early in my career, I benefited from incredible mentorship — the unique opportunity to see how decisions were made and sit in on strategy meetings and calls, long before any deal-making occurred. That experience became the foundation and thesis behind Brand Urban. Always seek out environments where people invest in your development. The people you surround yourself with make all the difference in your career trajectory. 

What leadership lesson has made the greatest impact on your career?

Early in my career, a mentor shaped how I lead today. She brought me to every client meeting, had me listen in on calls, and let me be a sponge. She would explain things to me to ensure that I understood the work I was doing and why it mattered. Most importantly, she created a safe space where I could ask a million questions. That experience taught me the greatest leadership lesson: growth happens when people are exposed to and included in the work. I try to give that same opportunity to everyone I lead today.