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Meet CBRE’s First Two Female Brokers in Waterloo Region
March 11, 2025 4 Minute Read
Commercial real estate is often viewed as an old boy’s club, but things are changing. CBRE recently welcomed two new female brokers in Southwestern Ontario. Jessica Kouleas and Payton Tummon join CBRE London’s Christina Shore as the company’s only women sales professionals in SWO. Kouleas and Tummon are also the first female agents based in CBRE’s Waterloo Region office in Kitchener, ON.
In smaller markets this represents a significant change. “The commercial real estate industry is still very male-dominated, especially in smaller cities,” notes Phil Coley, CBRE’s new Managing Director for Southwestern Ontario. “These two entrepreneurial women will help evolve our business and hopefully motivate more underrepresented groups to consider careers in commercial real estate.”
“This industry is right for so many people,” he adds. “Working hard. Thinking creatively. Being a team player. That’s what is needed to be successful.”
Making the Move
A Whitby, ON native, Jessica Kouleas launched her career in real estate through the Real Estate Bachelor of Commerce program at the University of Guelph. She was inspired to pursue a career in commercial sales after attending a guest lecture by CBRE’s Dean Mariani, an office leasing broker, for one of her classes. She was hired for an internship in CBRE’s Waterloo Region office in 2022.
Kouleas returned for two more internships while completing her bachelor's degree and then earned her real estate licence. She joined Mariani and CBRE’s Todd Cooney as a full-time office broker last fall. “I’ve always loved working with people and numbers,” says Kouleas. “Commercial real estate is incredibly meaningful because we get to help businesses bring their visions to life.”
Payton Tummon, originally from Cordova Mines, ON, moved to Kitchener to complete a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Wilfrid Laurier University. After graduating in 2022 she joined CBRE as a marketing assistant. She transitioned from this role earlier this year, joining Michael Black as an industrial broker.
“I never planned to work in commercial real estate but after about a year at CBRE I knew I wanted to get my licence,” Tummon says. “I liked the entrepreneurial spirit of brokerage and seeing the deal process from A to Z. In sales, you initiate the relationship, do the research, connect the dots and close the deals. I think you get a greater sense of accomplishment when you’ve taken part in the whole process.”
Breaking the Ice
Last year Kouleas became the first female CBRE agent to participate in the Oxford Cup, an annual hockey tournament hosted by Oxford Properties Group. She played with CBRE’s otherwise all-male team competing against men at other brokerage firms.
“I knew I could compete,” says Kouleas, who played varsity hockey throughout university. “It allowed me to meet people from other offices and connect over our shared love of hockey and real estate.” She hopes more women will play in the future.
Kouleas’ hockey background also informs her approach to sales. “Even if you take a hit, you have to keep going. That persistence will help you improve over time.”
Tummon, who also played sports growing up, sees things similarly. “The competitive atmosphere in real estate is similar to that in sports,” she says. “If you train and prioritize consistency, you can achieve your goals and win mandates. The desire not to lose is a strong driving factor in both sports and business.”
New Era
Since taking on their new roles, both women have been putting in the hours. They are often the first ones in the office and the last to leave. Under the guidance of senior brokers, they are taking on new projects, navigating the various stages of a deal, and becoming more confident in their skills.
“Real estate boils down to relationships and math,” says Kouleas. “It’s about establishing strong relationships with your clients and seeking new opportunities that help their bottom line. My goal is to become an expert not only in the local market but also in the overall economic, social and political environment and how they influence real estate as a whole.”
“I’m learning that in this business, every ‘no’ moves you closer to a ‘yes’,” adds Tummon. “You can make hundreds of calls, but all it takes is one good conversation to find the right buyer for a property. Persistence is key.”
Tummon and Kouleas hope to see more women consider commercial real estate as a potential career.
“The industry won’t reach gender parity overnight,” says Tummon. “As women, we bring our own strengths to industry and can offer a different perspective. We need to create our own paths, leverage our abilities and deliver results.
“We may be the first wave, but we certainly won’t be the last.”
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