Her path into commercial real estate may have been unconventional, but every step was deeply intentional, said Jennifer Villalobos, senior associate, Cushman & Wakefield, and a recipient of the 2025 Developing Leaders Award.
A first-generation Mexican American, Villalobos initially considered a career in healthcare. She ultimately found commercial real estate to be a better fit, offering the same sense of purpose through service, relationships and community connection.
Villalobos serves on the CREDA Arizona Developing Leaders Steering Committee and was previously also the Developing Leaders Education Chair; she is also a founding member of the chapter’s DEI Committee. She was selected as a 2024 recipient of the Prologis and CREDA Inclusion in CRE Scholarship. With CREDA Arizona, she also teaches Real Estate 101 courses for high school students in Tier 1 schools.
Villalobos is a founding member and board member of the American Cancer Society’s Latinos Contra el Cancer, Arizona chapter – an initiative that is being expanded nationally. She also serves as a board member for both the Valleywise Health Foundation and Arizona Financial Credit Union. She co-founded a statewide “Girls Can Build” program in partnership with the Girl Scouts to introduce girls, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to careers in commercial real estate, construction and architecture.
In her role with Cushman & Wakefield, Villalobos specializes in representing high-growth tenants in office leasing transactions representation throughout the metro Phoenix area. She and her team have completed numerous leases from small spaces to large, complex build-to-suit transactions. Villalobos assists corporations locally, nationally and globally in every stage of the real estate process, including projects such as relocations, consolidations, subleases, acquisitions, dispositions, strategic planning, demographic and site consulting, project management and post-occupancy services.
Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, she spent five years in the commercial real estate industry as the vice president of business development and marketing for a general contractor.
She has been recognized for her leadership by both the Phoenix Business Journal and AZ Big Media.
CREDA asked this purpose-driven leader how she got involved in commercial real estate and what advice she would give to other young professionals in the industry.
CREDA: Can you talk about a project or initiative you’re particularly proud of and what you learned from it?
Villalobos: One of the projects I’m most proud of is a 30,000-square-foot, five-year engineering office deal I worked on early in my commercial real estate career. It was especially meaningful because it came from a long-standing relationship I had built with the business owner over years of networking. It reinforced for me that relationships and consistency matter; sometimes the seeds you plant today turn into opportunities much later.
CREDA: How has being a member of CREDA helped your career?
Villalobos: I genuinely believe that I’m a broker today because of the doors that CREDA opened for me. The relationships I’ve built through this organization – especially within the Developing Leaders program – have been instrumental in my growth, both personally and professionally.
From day one, I’ve been surrounded by peers and mentors who not only believed in me but invested in my development. Their guidance gave me the confidence to make the leap into brokerage, and their continued support has helped me navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with this career.
CREDA has given me access to a network of leaders who lead with purpose, a platform to contribute to our industry, and a community that truly champions the next generation. It’s more than a professional association – it’s been a catalyst for the career I’m proud to be building today.
CREDA: What is one piece of practical advice you would give to Developing Leaders who are just starting out in their careers?
Villalobos: Get involved early and don’t be afraid to invest in yourself by paying membership fees – it’s worth it. Organizations like CREDA have given me invaluable relationships, educational opportunities and scholarships that have advanced my career. Those investments helped me grow, represent my clients better and open doors to opportunities I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.
CREDA: What is your ultimate career goal?
Villalobos: My ultimate career goal is to build a legacy of success that creates space for others – especially those who come from backgrounds like mine. I’m inspired by the achievements of my senior partners and hope to follow in their footsteps, not only in business but in impact. I want to continue growing as a top producer in the Valley so that I can expand my ability to work with nonprofits, first-generation business owners and local entrepreneurs who are often overlooked in traditional commercial real estate spaces.
Beyond the deals, what drives me is the opportunity to be a visible example for underserved communities – proof that someone who looks like them, who comes from where they come from, can thrive in this industry. I’m committed to paying it forward, whether that’s through mentorship, board service or volunteer efforts like Junior Achievement, where I help introduce students to the powerful, life-changing career paths available in commercial real estate. My long-term vision is to help others build generational wealth, just as I continue to build mine – one relationship, one deal and one community at a time.
CREDA: What do you like to do outside of work?
Villalobos: Working out is a non-negotiable for me – it’s how I recharge, stay disciplined and decompress. I also love spending time with family and friends; those relationships keep me grounded.
CREDA: What is something you’re passionate about?
Villalobos: I’m deeply passionate about my community, especially giving back and creating access for others. As a first-generation Mexican American, I experienced firsthand the barriers created by language and lack of access to resources. That drives me to mentor, serve on nonprofit boards and advocate for underserved communities. My “why” is opening doors for the next generation and helping people who look like me gain opportunities they might not otherwise have.
Read more about the 2025 Developing Leaders Award winners in Development magazine. Recipients of the 2026 Developing Leaders Award will be announced this summer.
