Program recognizes outstanding women working in commercial real estate
In recognition of her exceptional achievements in the commercial real estate industry, Makenna Barbara has earned a $10,000 scholarship from LT Executive Search Inc., a commercial real estate recruiting firm, to aid with student loan debt. Barbara serves as an acquisition analyst in the Dallas office of MDH Partners, an Atlanta-based real estate investment company.
In its third year, the LT Executive Search Inc. Scholarship acknowledges women presently working in the commercial real estate industry who have student loans. The winner is selected based on a personal essay addressing the positive impact the candidate is making in the industry, her personal circumstances and why she should be awarded the scholarship. Barbara was chosen from 75 applicants due to her impressive achievements in just over a year of working in the industry.
“This scholarship is near and dear to my heart because I am also a woman working in the commercial real estate industry who once had student loans,” said Leanne Tomar, managing partner and founder of LT Executive Search. “I see every day how males in the industry are much more aggressive than females when it comes to asking for a raise or promotion or negotiating an offer letter. I feel it’s my duty to give back to the community and help women make smart financial decisions. It is never easy to choose one person, but I was immediately impressed with Makenna. She has a great attitude and a lot of positive energy! She’s hungry and her passion for helping others in the community is super impressive. I look forward to seeing her succeed in all aspects of her life.”
Jump-starting her career at MDH Partners in November 2020, Barbara’s duties include supporting both the Atlanta and Dallas offices across their respective regions by underwriting new acquisition opportunities, writing investment committee memos and conducting financial due diligence. In just over a year, Barbara has underwritten over $5 billion of deals to buy $360 million in closed deals spanning over 2 million square feet of industrial product across six states from coast to coast.
“I have been very fortunate to work with incredible people who have taught me so much and answered many questions along the way,” said Barbara. “The leadership team at MDH Partners has created an empowering and diverse culture, and has given me opportunity after opportunity to learn and grow – and encouraged me to apply for this scholarship. My only hope is to emulate the same attention and care I received to expose future generations, particularly young women, to the vast opportunities available in the commercial real estate industry.”
Barbara received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Texas Christian University and her Master of Science in Banking and Finance from King’s College London. She currently holds a board position for a local non-profit, Fort Worth Abroad, that awards study abroad scholarships to students who attend a public school in Fort Worth, Texas. She also serves as a teaching assistant for CRE Analyst, a commercial real estate course based out of Dallas. Barbara is a member of various professional organizations including NAIOP and IWIRE.
Barbara adds: “The industry has come a long way in diversifying itself, but it still feels like there is so much more work to do. In my eyes, a lot of that starts with introducing younger talent to the field. I’m proud to be part of this change through my role as a teaching assistant and in working with MDH.”
MDH Partners has a commitment to its environmentally sustainable practices and diversity and inclusion efforts set forth by its ESG policy. The company has its most recent hires as 50% being diverse and 26% of its employees are women. The firm is pleased to be Silver sponsors of IWIRE (Industrial Women in Real Estate) North Texas, and strives to empower the women within its organization to not only to reach, but exceed their full potential. To view MDH Partners’ full ESG statement and policy, please visit mdhpartners.com/esg.
About MDH Partners
MDH Partners is an Atlanta-based real estate investment company managing its discretionary funds targeting industrial real estate across the United States on behalf of its institutional investors. Founded in 2005 as the successor to a fifty-year-old local real estate development company, MDH Partners has led and/or participated in over $4 billion (75 million square feet) of acquisitions, developments, and asset management as an advisor and investor. For more information, visit www.mdhpartners.com
About LT Executive Search Inc.
LT Executive Search is a retained, executive search firm specializing in commercial real estate. The firm has earned the trust and respect of the most senior executives in the commercial real estate community. Clients include leading private equity funds, REITs, family offices, and owner/developers across the United States. For more information, visit www.ltexecutivesearch.com
