On January 16, 2020, at REBNY’s 124th Annual Banquet, it will be a true pleasure to present Jodi Pulice with this year’s Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate Award.
The award is presented to REBNY members who have displayed exceptional service to the real estate industry and professional accomplishments over the course of distinguished careers. I know that all of us who have ever worked with Jodi know she is deserving of such a great honor.
Her professional accomplishments speak for themselves. In 1996, Jodi founded JRT Realty Group, Inc., now the largest fully woman-owned full-service commercial real estate firm in the country. Since then she has earned the admiration and respect of her peers throughout the industry for her tremendous drive and integrity.
As CEO, Jodi oversees the leasing and management of almost 10 million square feet of commercial and industrial space nationwide for a myriad of clients, including some of the largest institutional real estate investors in the country. She has spearheaded leasing and sales transactions totaling more than $3 billion, including the iconic Seagram Building in Manhattan. Jodi had also represented FDIC’s national field offices in 92 locations.In New York, Jodi is incredibly proud to have been a part of the leasing team of One World Trade Center, an experience she describes as one of the most gratifying of her career. Other recent buildings for which JRT is the leasing agent for are the upcoming new sound stages and office building at the historic Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, Court Square Place in Long Island City and Union Crossing in the Bronx.
But Jodi’s deals and professional accomplishments are only the tip of the iceberg. She has been widely recognized as a trailblazer for bringing more diversity to the real estate industry by elevating the role of women. Approximately 85 percent of the staff at JRT are women and minorities. JRT is the only certified M/WBE commercial real estate firm that has a unique, first-of-its-kind alliance with a leading global real estate company.
The Staten Island native has distinguished herself as a CEO by investing deeply in her staff at every level and nurturing talent that might not have been recognized elsewhere. Jodi encourages her staff to step out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves to grow as professionals, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to have a seat at the table. She is an example for our entire industry.
Jodi’s first employer was one of the pioneering women in real estate–Mary Salerno of Berley & Company. She taught Jodi early on how tough it can be for women working in this industry. JRT has paved the way for new, more diverse talent and is changing the face of commercial real estate at the highest levels.
Her leadership has earned her inclusion in many lists honoring the top people in the business; among these are the 2018 Top Notable Women in Business by Crain’s New York Business; the Top Women in Real Estate by the Association of Real Estate Women; Bisnow’s New York Power Women 2018; and she received the New York Brava Award from Smart CEO.
Jodi served on numerous boards, including the Long Island YMCA, the Diversity Committee and the Commercial Leasing Board at REBNY, the UNFCU Foundation and the Jeffrey Model Foundation.
We hope you will join us in January to recognize Jodi for her tremendous achievements at our annual banquet.
