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.