Cassie Catania-Hsu, a recipient of NAIOP’s 2018 Developing Leaders Award, got an early start on her real estate career: she obtained her residential real estate license while in college and began selling houses while finishing her real estate degree. A mentorship introduced her to the commercial side and she became fascinated by the financial aspects of the transactions.
In her role as president and broker at Sun Commercial Real Estate, she oversees business operations and brokerage management, works to increase business opportunities for the company and strengthen relationships with industry partners. She holds three active licenses: a Nevada real estate broker license, a property management permit and a business broker permit.
During her decade-long membership in NAIOP Southern Nevada, Catania-Hsu has taken on a variety of leadership roles within the association. She serves as co-chair of the chapter’s Spotlight Awards Committee and as a member of the communications committee. Last year, she served as class president of the 2018 NAIOP Southern Nevada Developing Leaders Institute and was named the 2018 Developing Leader of the Year for NAIOP Southern Nevada, on top of being selected as a 2018 Developing Leaders Award recipient by NAIOP Corporate.
Outside of her career, Catania-Hsu has been involved in supporting the local community through events like the BoysTown of Southern Nevada Challenge, which provided over 9,000 backpacks for students in need, and by leading a team for the Light the Night Walk with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to help raise money and awareness for the disease.
We asked this rising star what drives her career and leadership development.
NAIOP: How do you keep your long-term professional goals in mind in the midst of your day-to-day work?
Catania-Hsu: Luckily for me, my day-to-day work at the office helps me achieve my professional goals. I get to help my team of brokers build their business, and strategize and build our company. too. I believe that we manifest our destiny by putting our intentions out in the world, breaking long-term goals into short-term tasks and holding ourselves accountable.
NAIOP: What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?
Catania-Hsu: Compassion. I feel that a compassionate leader will always create a stronger, more loyal team than a leader who lacks compassion/empathy. A leader must be considerate of their team and think more about their people than themselves. I believe that a leader must practice values of kindness and compassion in order to influence the lives of people around them in a better way.
NAIOP: What do you wish you knew when you were first getting involved in commercial real estate?
Catania-Hsu: I have received immense value out of the many industry organizations in which I am involved, especially in NAIOP. These organizations have given me the opportunity to build a strong network of peers and find mentors who support and guide me along the way. Mentors have played a huge role in my success.
This is part of a series of profiles of NAIOP’s 2018 Developing Leaders Award recipients, who have distinguished themselves through exceptional commitment and contributions to the industry. This prestigious award was presented at NAIOP’s CRE.Converge 2018 conference in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the winners in a piece published in Development magazine. Watch this two-minute video to learn more about NAIOP’s Developing Leaders program. Applications for the 2019 Developing Leaders Award will open this spring.
