Carolyn Powell, Women’s Leadership Initiative Co-Chair

Managing Director, PCCP

Carolyn Powell is a Managing Director and serves as Head of Debt Asset Management, leading a team that manages in excess of $10 billion of debt investments across the United States. She also oversees the Closing Group that supports equity and debt originations and the Investment Administration and Servicing Team. Since joining PCCP in 2005, her responsibilities have ranged the entire suite of debt and equity investment including diligence/closing, servicing, syndications/participations, investor relations, fund management, as well as acquisitions & asset management for both debt and equity. Ms. Powell received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of California, Davis. She is an active member of the San Francisco chapter of Urban Land Institute (ULI) where she serves as Co-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Initiative, is a member of the steering committee on the NEXT Initiative and is a member of the Local Residential Product Council. In addition, she serves on the ULI Americas Urban Development and Mixed-Use Council at the national level.

PCCP, LLC is an integrated real estate finance and investment management firm. Since 1998, PCCP has been providing commercial real estate debt and equity capital for real estate projects throughout the United States. PCCP has raised, invested or managed over $35 billion of institutional capital and continues to pursue investment opportunities with proven operators. PCCP originates and manages all of its investments, providing capital for all major real estate product types. PCCP invests across the capital stack, from joint venture equity to senior and mezzanine debt, while seeking to identify the best risk adjusted returns for its investors. With over $20 billion of assets under management, PCCP is an established fiduciary for its global investors, with offices in New York, San Francisco, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Q: How did you first get involved with ULI and your committee?

I first became involved with ULI in 2013 during the first years of the San Francisco launch of the Women’s Leadership Initiative. I am proud of our work to support and elevate women in our industry.

Q: What’s a memorable connection you’ve made through ULI? 

I can’t narrow it down to just one connection, as there have been many colleagues turned work relationships turned friendships that I have gained in my involvement with Urban Plan, NEXT, the local Multifamily Product Council and UDMUC Gold National Product Council. It feels good to be a part of an organization that thrives in such an active business community that cares about its people and connecting us with the latest industry knowledge and resources.

Q: What keeps you engaged with ULI SF and what are you most excited about in the near future?

The people that participate on my committees keep my engaged, and I’m most excited about the Spring Meeting in Toronto.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish in the next year? 

I plan to strengthen our debt business over the next year by how we assess and identify risk and develop creative solutions.

Q: What’s your leadership philosophy/style?

My leadership style is based on creating an environment of trust and psychological safety that optimizes engagement, allowing everyone to reach their true potential.

Q: What’s front of mind for you right now?

Resilience

Q: Who has been an instrumental person in your career?

Bryan Thornton

Q: Outside of work and ULI, what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy spending time with my three-year-old and reveling in his growth.