Essex Financial Group promoted its first female partner, advancing longtime team member Alex Riggs.
After several years at Essex working as a producer and with years of extensive capital markets and underwriting experience under her belt, Riggs joined the ranks of several male partners at the firm.
Before joining Essex, Riggs previously served as the originator for the Central and Northeast Regions of Prudential Mortgage Capital Co. and originated more than $1.59 billion across all of Prudential’s capital sources. The asset types she specializes in include stabilized and pre-stabilized multifamily, grocery-anchored retail, hospitality, industrial and Class A office. Riggs also is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Colorado.
In her new position as a partner, she will continue to create and maintain relationships with clients and close loans while also taking on a new responsibility of team mentorship.
According to Riggs, the work culture at Essex is something of top importance, so maintaining a healthy, rewarding environment for all team members is something she strives for in her new position. Part of her mentorship will include empowering Essex’s analysts and producers to achieve their career goals within the firm.
As a partner, Riggs said she hopes to set an example for other women who don’t believe the job is feasible, especially mothers balancing work and family. With two young children of her own, Riggs hopes to show that women can prioritize both career and family and be highly successful.
In her own time, Riggs also is working
with the NAIOP diversity and inclusion task force to combat a lack of
diversity in commercial real estate. According to Riggs, many young people,
especially those of minority communities, lack exposure to commercial real
estate. Through her new role at Essex and work with NAIOP, she hopes to break
that barrier, educate younger populations on the industry and contribute to a
more inclusive future.