Trepp LLC

06/11/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/11/2021 10:04

Future CRE Leaders Profile: Grace Miller's Path to CRE Finance

Next up in Trepp's series of Future CRE Leaders is Grace Miller. Grace earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce with concentrations in Finance & Management and Real Estate from the University of Virginia - McIntire School of Commerce during her undergraduate studies.

The Path to Commercial Real Estate

Growing up in the financial hub of Charlotte, NC, with both parents working in the field, Grace always knew she wanted to study finance, but did not know exactly where it would take her. While being recruited for her 2020 internship at Houlihan Lokey, an alum from UVA recommended that Grace continues to pursue the finance track but add real estate as a focus to broaden her skills. After learning that the real estate track taught modeling skills, Grace's interest in CRE was piqued with the hope to take these skills and use them in banking as well. Grace's dad had also shared his experience completing real estate transactions, so Grace quickly recognized the value of adding real estate to her skill set.

Developing the Skills

During her time at UVA, Grace took several classes that established a solid foundation of real estate analysis. She was introduced to the various stages of the real estate market, different forms of leases, modeling techniques, and synthesis skills that analysts use to value properties.

Outside of the classroom, Grace served as a Real Estate Analyst on the Research Team for Smart Woman Securities (SWS), a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to educate undergraduate women on finance and investments,during one of her semesters. She researched trends in the real estate industry and selected REITs that she believed would be ideal investments for the Investment Committee of SWS to consider.

Guiding Influences and Mentors

As a child, Grace always wanted to be a doctor, specifically a radiologist after she broke her arm when she was four years old. As she grew up, her desire to work and make a name for herself in the industry grew and she knew she wanted to enter the workforce sooner than medical school and residency would allow. Math had always been a strong suit of Grace's. When she learned about her stepfather's role as a wealth management advisor where you have the ability to combine numbers and work with people, she felt that would allow her to bridge two of her strengths. If it were not for her stepfather, she is not sure she would have focused on finance, and subsequently, real estate.

Putting it Into Practice

Grace will be moving to Atlanta, GA, and starting as an analyst with Truist Securities this summer. She is looking forward to honing her analytical, communicative, and multi-tasking skillsets with this role. Grace is eager to start making a name for herself in the industry and to see where her career path takes her.

Congratulations to Grace Miller, Trepp Future CRE Leader!

Trepp is pleased to feature winners of our Future CRE Leaders series every Friday for the next several weeks. Through Trepp's Education Segment, the Future CRE Leaders Awards program was designed to recognize stand-out individuals who are looking to make an impact in the CRE sector upon graduating from their undergraduate studies. Read the press release here.

Disclaimer: The information provided is based on information generally available to the public from sources believed to be reliable.