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THE COMMERCIAL OBSERVER | DECEMBER 11, 2012 | 35 Among New York’s real estate players, Leslie Himmel stands out as one of the few female building owners. Since forging a strong alliance with business partner Stephen Meringoff in 1985, Ms. Himmel has accrued a portfolio valued at over $500 million. She also chairs the Real Estate Board of New York’s economic development committee, which she founded. She received REBNY’s Bernard Mendik Lifetime Leadership Award in January 2011 and was named one of The Commercial Observer’s Power 100, along with Mr. Meringoff, in 2012. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Business School, Ms. Himmel joined Integrated Resources, focusing on prop- erty procurement and forgoing the path to investment banking she’d initially planned. She left the company in 1984 and formed Himmel+Meringoff. One of Ms. Himmel’s most memorable deals closed in 1985, the year she co-founded the firm. The building, 989 Sixth Avenue, was put on the market by a mo- tivated seller—Republic National Bank. The duo bought the 100,000-square-foot building for $5 million, submitting a contract within a week and closing sever- al weeks later. She was working without a salary at the time but received equity in the deal. Though the New York market has does have its share of female brokers, Ms. Himmel is among the few women landlords. “Probably in the next generation, it will be different,” she said. “Things are changing, but slowly.” Ms. Himmel sees herself as a mentor and is a trustee of UPenn’s Council of Penn Women and an active member of the World Presidents’ Organization Big Apple Chapter, the Harvard Business School Network of Women Alumnae and YM/WREA. Her advice to newcomers in the New York real estate world: “Keep a smile on your face and work hard.” —Karsten Strauss Nancie Dudash The Dudash Group President; Consultant, Quest Workspaces Year joined: 2012 Over 20 years of experience with an emphasis on operations and sales management. Jennifer Falk Union Square Partnership Executive Director Year joined: 2007 Instrumental in the revival of Union Square. Morgan Dunne CBRE Meeting and Events Coordinator Year joined: 2010 Played an integral part in launch- ing CBRE University in 2011. Victoria Farruggio Cassidy Turley Vice President; Principal Year joined: 1999 Major projects include 360 Lexington Avenue and 527 Madison Avenue. Patricia Dunphy Rockrose Development Corp. Senior Vice President Year joined: 1983 Credited for pioneering a neigh- borhood with the Rockrose residential development along the East River in Long Island City. Nicole Fenton Greenberg Traurig LLP Shareholder Year joined: 2006 Experienced in real estate law, including the acquisition and disposition of commercial, indus- trial and multifamily properties. Michelle Fiorito Zetlin & De Chiara LLP Principal Year joined: 2002 Recently awarded AV rating from Martindale Hubbell and is a 2012 New Jersey Law Journal New Leader of the Bar. Patricia Frank Realty Foundation of New York Executive Director Year joined: 1994 Serves on a board alongside Jerry Cohen and Dale Hemmerdinger. Rolla Eisner Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Senior Managing Director Year joined: 1993 Member of the Association of Real Estate Women. Adelsa Figueroa CBRE Associate, Wheel Program Year joined: 2012 A member of the 2012 Wheel Program. Carol Ann Flint Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Associate Director Year joined: 2011 Marketing boutique office build- ing in West Chelsea. Amy Fox Cushman & Wakefield Senior Director, Brokerage Year joined: 1997 Clients include Kimco Realty, Millennium Partners, OppenheimerFunds and Vornado Realty Trust. Judith Fryer Greenberg Traurig LLP National Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Year joined: 1995 Advises financial service com- panies, private equity funds, real estate companies and entrepre- neurs in corporate transactions. Leslie Wohlman Himmel, Himmel+Meringoff Partners Managing Partner “Despite any ups and downs in the current commercial real estate climate, the condo business has remained strong.” —Jonata Dayan, senior vice president, Winoker Realty NOT PICTURED
