In episode 416, host Mike Petrusky speaks with Katy Redmond, MCR, Senior Managing Director, Integrated Portfolio Services (IPS) Lead, Americas East at JLL where she is passionate about corporate real estate, innovation and leadership while also serving as a Global Board Member at CoreNet. Mike welcomes Katy back to the show to hear her latest insights and perspectives on FM, CRE and expectations for upcoming industry events like the CoreNet Global Summit and IFMA’s World Workplace. Katy says that speed and efficiency are now critical demands in the real estate industry, with clients seeking faster execution, streamlined processes, and better uses of technology. So, she and Mike explore how AI and worktech tools are reshaping CRE, offering new insights into decision-making and efficiency while also requiring careful governance and strategic implementation. Katy predicts that the industry is experiencing an elevation of the real estate function, with greater organizational visibility and potential pathways to C-suite roles such as CFO, COO, or CHRO and she encourages mentorship and exposure to diverse experiences for developing well-rounded future leaders.
Agenda
- How industry events are evolving to meet new workplace and real estate challenges
- The growing impact of AI, analytics, and data-driven decision-making
- Balancing speed, clarity, and precision in corporate real estate strategy
- The importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and diversity of perspective
- The increasing strategic influence of corporate real estate leaders
- Why corporate real estate may become a pathway to the C-suite
What you need to know: Workplace takeaways
Takeaway 1: Corporate real estate leaders must balance speed with strategic decision-making
Redmond identifies speed as one of the defining challenges facing the industry. Corporate real estate, facilities, and workplace teams are being asked to respond quickly to changing workforce expectations, business priorities, and market conditions while still making informed decisions. Technology and data can help organizations accelerate execution, but leaders must ensure they remain aligned with broader business goals. As workplace leaders take on more strategic responsibilities, balancing agility with thoughtful decision-making is becoming a critical skill.
Takeaway 2: AI and analytics are only valuable when they deliver clarity
The conversation highlights the growing role of AI and advanced analytics in corporate real estate. While organizations have more information than ever before, Redmond warns against information overload. The challenge is not collecting additional data but identifying the insights that truly matter and presenting them in a way leadership can act on.
As Redmond explains, “How can we simplify rather than overcomplicate with all the data and technology we have at our fingertips?” Successful organizations will be those that transform data into clear, actionable recommendations rather than overwhelming stakeholders with dashboards and metrics.
Takeaway 3: Mentorship, continuous learning, and diverse perspectives create stronger leaders
Throughout the episode, Redmond emphasizes the importance of exposing professionals to different disciplines, experiences, and viewpoints. Mentorship helps emerging leaders build confidence, expand their understanding of the profession, and develop the strategic thinking needed for long-term success.
She believes the most effective leaders actively seek out new perspectives and remain open to learning throughout their careers. “Diversity of perspective, always be learning, keep an open mind,” she advises, highlighting a mindset that benefits both individuals and organizations.
Takeaway 4: Professional communities and industry events are evolving alongside the workplace
Redmond shares how organizations such as CoreNet Global are adapting their programming to address emerging workplace challenges. Today’s professionals want more practical content, peer collaboration, and real-world discussions about topics such as workplace transformation, technology adoption, and changing employee expectations.
The shift reflects the broader evolution of the profession, where workplace and real estate leaders increasingly need guidance that helps them solve immediate business challenges while preparing for future trends.
Takeaway 5: Corporate real estate is becoming a pathway to executive leadership
One of Redmond’s most optimistic predictions is that corporate real estate will continue gaining visibility as a strategic business function. Organizations increasingly recognize the connection between workplace strategy, employee experience, operational performance, and business outcomes.
As leaders take ownership of broader initiatives across people, technology, operations, and portfolio strategy, they are developing the cross-functional expertise needed at the executive level. Redmond believes this evolution will create new opportunities for advancement, stating, “I do believe that within my professional career, we will start to see corporate real estate as a path to the C-suite.”
Workplace management insights
- Corporate real estate teams are under increasing pressure to move quickly while maintaining strategic decision-making.
- AI and analytics are most valuable when they simplify decisions rather than add complexity.
- Organizations should focus on transforming data into actionable insights instead of collecting more information.
- Industry events are evolving to deliver more practical, collaborative, and future-focused content.
- Mentorship remains essential for developing well-rounded workplace and real estate professionals.
- Diversity of perspective, continuous learning, and adaptability are becoming core leadership traits.
- Corporate real estate functions are gaining visibility and influence within enterprise organizations.
- The profession’s expanding strategic responsibilities are creating new pathways to executive leadership.
Explore the full library of Workplace Innovator podcast episodes for an in-depth look at workplace insights and watch the full video here.
