This week on Success in Square Feet, Julia sits down with Frank Piasta, First Vice President at CBRE, and one of the most thoughtful dealmakers out there. Frank shares his unconventional path to CRE, from studying medicine and serving in the military to navigating CMBS acronyms and capital stacks at CBRE.

We talk about:

• Learning commercial real estate without a finance degree

• Building credibility from scratch

• And why speaking up matters—even if you're the most junior person in the room

Whether you're switching industries, raising your hand for new challenges, or just love hearing how people really get into this business, Frank shares some great words of wisdom you do not want to miss!

Ever wonder what lawyers in commercial real estate actually do all day—or what it’s like to jump from a law firm to an in-house legal team? In this episode of Success in Square Feet, Julia sits down with Austin Whitmore, Associate General Counsel at Compatriot Capital, to talk about his transition from private practice to private equity. We dive into the business side of being in-house counsel, the evolution of a legal career, and what it’s really like to work on deals from the inside. Plus, we unpack the challenges of impostor syndrome, finding your footing in real estate, and what makes a top-notch lunch spot. Whether you’re a law student, a real estate pro, or just curious about the legal side of commercial real estate, this one's for you.

Angela Chen never planned on a career in private equity, but a wrong job title led to the right opportunity. In this episode of Success in Square Feet, Julia sits down with Angela Chen, and she shares how an accidental start, a lot of hustle, and a broker’s eye for the market helped her rise to Lead Underwriter at Compatriot Capital. If you’ve ever found success in unexpected places, you’ll love her story.

Episode Credits

Host and Producer: Julia Beckman

Sponsored by: Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.

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