Member Spotlight: Caitlin Korsak
In this month’s CREW Tampa Bay Member Spotlight, the light shines brightly on Caitlin Korsak. Caitlin is a recent graduate from the University of Tampa (UT), and she was the recipient of the CREW 2022 Network Foundation Scholarship--a scholarship program which supports future female leaders as they pursue a college education that will segway into a career in commercial real estate. Caitlin is a proven leader who began her full-time career with CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE) in Tampa earlier this month. Caitlin’s title at CBRE is Associate, and she is working on the CBRE Capital Markets Tampa Bay and Gulf Coast Multifamily team. When asked what led Cameron Barbas, a Senior Vice President for CBRE’s Capital Markets, Multifamily team, to hiring Caitlin, he said she is “persistent, punctual, direct, competitive, driven, and strong-willed.” He also said she is “hungry to learn” and that she showed “entrepreneurial qualities and leadership skills.” When you meet Caitlin, each of these attributes along with her “go-getter” attitude shine through.
To Caitlin, “Success is defined by failure.” She believes you must push through failures and overcome the obstacles placed in your path. She understands that perseverance and determination is what it takes to be the best version of herself, and she is not afraid to make mistakes or leave her comfort zone on that pathway to success. A quote by Max DePree, an American businessperson and writer, which resonates with Caitlin is, “We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.” She has worked hard in order to create her own opportunities, and that hard work and resultant success has been pivotal in enhancing her independence.
Caitlin grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts, with her mom, Nicole, dad, Chuck, and brother, Charlie. She moved to Tampa to attend UT, where she earned a degree in Communication, Media, and Culture with a Minor in Advertising, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors in May 2023. While at UT, Caitlin served as a founding member and two-term president of the award-winning University of Tampa Real Estate Club. Under her leadership, the Real Estate Club achieved tremendous success, attracting 221 new members, and establishing itself as one of the most distinguished on-campus organizations. She also assisted in the development and approval of UT’s first ever real estate course, titled “Real Estate Venturing.” Caitlin’s achievements resulted in her being recognized by the University of Tampa as the recipient of their Bub Ruday Servant Leader of the Year award in May 2023.
Caitlin’s interest in real estate was piqued by her grandfather’s career as an architect, her uncle’s work as a real estate attorney, and her father’s involvement in finance. She began her commercial real estate journey working for a real estate advisor where she secured her real estate license. Since then, she has actively contributed to a range of ventures initiated by local investors, focused on the revitalization of commercial properties through adaptive reuse. Caitlin is a 2022 SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors) Student Scholar, 2023 CoreNet Global (Corporate Real Estate Network) Scholarship Recipient, and a member of IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management). She holds a position on the USF Real Estate Society's Advisory Board, serving as the Committee Chair responsible for fostering collaboration between the Real Estate Societies at UT and USF. Caitlin is an active member of CREW Tampa Bay, where she serves on the UCREW Committee.
A fun fact about Caitlin is that she was born on 01/11/01. And not many people know that she grew up just half a mile from Gillette Stadium, where she experienced six Patriots Super Bowl victories before relocating to Florida. She has a passion for traveling and exploring new places, hoping to visit the Pacific Northwest for her next trip. A perfect day for Caitlin would be out on a boat, enjoying the water, and spending quality time with her family.