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2026 Women In Real Estate Awards
National
- Brenda Barrett Leads AMC to Its Highest-Ever National Ranking
- Elizabeth Burnett Oversees Slatt Capital’s $5B Portfolio
- Cass McFadden Turns Sustainability Into Metrics at Cortland
- Kristie Jacobson Kimnach Grows the REMAX Commercial Brand Worldwide
- Shawna Knyal Generates Over $1B in Transactions Since Joining Paragon
- Gantry’s Sara Litton Upgrades Servicing for $23-Billion Loan Portfolio
- Tina Quirin Co-Founds Arcus Harbor
- Susan Rounds Strengthens BKM’s Operations and Leadership Pipeline
- Ursula Sage Adds AI Tools to Dealpath’s Investment Activities
- Whitney Burns with Hines Helps Establish Hospitality Standards for CRE
- Vanessa Howes Modernizes Lument’s Multifamily Loan Operations
- Sairah Burki Leads Regulatory Advocacy, Sustainability Platform at CREFC

Whitney Burns with Hines Helps Establish Hospitality Standards for CRE
Whitney Burns is senior managing director and global head of client partnerships at Hines. She leads strategic relationships with major corporate occupiers worldwide, connecting with the firm’s investment, development, leasing, property management and workplace capabilities.
Her initiatives include a global partnership with Forbes Travel Guide that established 200 hospitality standards for office, residential and facilities management, which was initially implemented across 65 pilot properties. She also helped launch The SQ Collection, a network of workspaces, conference facilities and event spaces that gives clients access to amenities beyond their leased premises.
She is chair of the Urban Land Institute’s End User Council, leads the Hines Enterprise Roundtable and is active in CoreNet Global. She also helped found Hines’ OneHines Women’s Network and mentors emerging talent.
Burns serves on the advisory boards of Children’s Museum Houston, ArtLifting and Work. She supports Heaven’s 27 Foundation, serving as co-lead of Team 27.
Burns’ honors include an Emmy Award for her work on CityCenterDC, recognition as an Emerging Leader in Retail by Real Estate Forum, a Woman to Watch designation from the Houston Business Journal and a Luminary honor from CoreNet Global.
These are just a few reasons Whitney Burns is among the National Connect CRE 2026 Women in Real Estate Award winners. The award honors the achievements and inspirational stories of women who have reached respected leadership positions and taken on mentorship roles.
