BOMA NY: Celebrating excellence at the 53rd Annual Pinnacle Awards - by Patrick Dolan

The energy at Pier 60 was nothing short of spectacular as BOMA New York’s commercial real estate community gathered for our 53^rd Annual Pinnacle Awards. The evening captured the spirit of New York City’s commercial real estate industry at its finest, celebrating not just individual achievements, but the collective excellence that defines our profession. From pioneering sustainability efforts to reimagining tenant experiences, our winners and nominees showcased the exceptional industry leadership that continues to shape the future of the workplace. 

The Grand Pinnacle Award, our highest honor, was presented to Zero Irving, managed by Cushman & Wakefield, exemplifying the operational excellence and visionary thinking that go hand-in-hand to create truly exceptional commercial properties. This recognition reflects the all-encompassing approach to building management that we’ve championed throughout 2025, where sustainability, technology, and most importantly, tenant experience, converge to create environments where businesses thrive. 

Our individual award recipients demonstrate the breadth of expertise that drives our industry forward. Dermot Shea of Related Companies received the prestigious Henry J. Muller Achievement Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the commercial real estate community. The recognition of security professionals Michael Edwards, also from Related, and Patrick Duffy of Rockefeller Group, underscores the critical importance of building security in today’s environment. Dale DiDonna from The Durst Organization was recognized as Janitorial Professional of the Year, highlighting the essential operational excellence that keeps our buildings functioning at peak performance. 

The evening celebrated both emerging and established talent across our industry. Elza Berisha of Cushman & Wakefield was honored as Emerging Leader of the Year, exemplifying the next generation of professionals who are bringing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the world of commercial real estate. Her recognition follows her earlier achievement as BOMA International’s January Emerging Professional of the Month, demonstrating the caliber of young talent advancing through our ranks. 

Our building category winners represent the diverse portfolio of excellence throughout NYC’s office landscape. From JLL’s management of the historic Empire Stores, to Brookfield Properties’ new construction award at Lever House, each winner demonstrates how thoughtful property management and innovative approaches create value for tenants and building owners alike. 

The operational categories showcased the depth of professional expertise within our community. Chief Operating Engineer of the Year, Ali Shehu of Cushman & Wakefield represents the technical brilliance that is required in building operations. Managers of the Year Marilouise Ruggiero from SL Green and Carla Rooney from Paramount Realty Group demonstrate how dedicated leadership translates to superior building performance. 

Finally, fire and life safety professionals Russell Touhey, Brookfield Properties, and Joe Maria of Related Hudson Yards, received well-deserved recognition for their important work in ensuring the safety and security of building occupants. Their expertise represents the behind-the-scenes excellence that creates the foundation for everything else we accomplish in commercial real estate. 

Pinnacle Award winners in the applicable building categories may now advance to compete at the Regional level, with the potential to progress to the North American level through BOMA International. With our track record of 60 Regional TOBY Winners and 16 International TOBY winners, New York City continues to set the standard of excellence for our industry on the global stage. 

Each honoree proved that operational excellence and visionary thinking are complementary approaches that elevate not only their organizations and buildings, but our industry. To everyone who made the evening unforgettable, and especially to our winners, your dedication continues to position NYC as the premier destination for businesses seeking exceptional workplace environments. 

Patrick Dolan, RPA, is chairman of BOMA New York.