Mohr Partners Promotes Michele Shibuya to COO, Fostering Gender Diversity in Leadership

The national tenant rep advisory firm Mohr Partners made history by appointing Michele Shibuya as its Chief Operations Officer (COO), a notable step towards female diversity in the commercial real estate industry. Misti Meggs was appointed the company's Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) a few months prior to receiving this elevation.

Michele Shibuya, who joined the company in 2018 and previously served as the Managing Principal of Operations, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. Notably, she is married to Mohr Partners Chairman and CEO, Robert 'Bob' Shibuya.

As COO, Michele will oversee vital aspects of the firm, including personnel resources, information technology, legal and risk management, marketing, and internal communications. She will collaborate closely with Chief Financial Officer Sohail Hamirani and the newly appointed CCO, Misti Meggs.

In an exclusive interview with CoStar News, Michele attributes her promotion to the company's "significant growth," which has necessitated the creation of the COO position. She emphasized the importance of expanding their client base, offering diverse service lines, and opening new market offices to keep up with their expansion plans.

Mohr Partners recently announced an ambitious expansion strategy, aiming to more than triple its U.S. brokerage staff over the next five years. This bold move comes at a time when businesses, especially Fortune 500 companies, are reevaluating their office portfolios after the disruptions caused by the epidemic.

To cater to clients who wish to align their real estate services with environmental, social, and governance objectives, Mohr Partners has increased its focus in this area, which now falls under the purview of the newly established COO position.

Michele expressed the company's commitment to leveraging technology and global resources to further develop service lines, such as global lease services and business analytics departments.

In a strategic move to support its growing lease administration, accounting, and rent payment operations for corporate occupier clients, Mohr Partners has formally established a corporate outsourcing firm in India. This decision has accelerated the company's global leasing services operations, contributing to its rapid growth.

Michele’s promotion is not only a testament to her talent and dedication but also a significant milestone for gender diversity in the commercial real estate sector. With two women now occupying top positions in the C-suite, Mohr Partners has positioned itself at the forefront of leadership diversity in the industry.

The company's commitment to fostering gender diversity extends beyond the C-suite, as it boasts a large number of female executives and managers within its Dallas-based corporate workforce, where about 44% of the staff identifies as female.

Michele Shibuya plans to reinforce the company's dedication to leadership development and diversity by initiating an executive leadership training program in collaboration with the National Minority Supplier Development Council. This program will provide opportunities for talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to advance their careers and make their mark in the commercial real estate field.

With Michele Shibuya's visionary leadership and the company's progressive approach to diversity and expansion, Mohr Partners is set to leave an indelible mark in the commercial real estate industry and serve as an inspiring example for other businesses striving for inclusive leadership.