Val Achtemeier, Vice Chair of CBRE Capital Markets’ Debt & Structured Finance group in Irvine, was honored by the Business Journal with a Women in Business award at its 32nd annual event on September 17.
Achtemeier, now in her early 60s, has amassed a 35-year career during which she has led more than $70 billion in debt placements. Her team has maintained an average of over $4 billion in annual transaction volume over the past five years. CBRE officials state that Achtemeier ranks among the top 3% of CBRE producers globally.
Her career trajectory was shaped by early experiences. Growing up in the Midwest, Achtemeier observed traditional gender roles. A pivotal moment occurred when she was 10, during a period of significant financial pressure for her farming community, with interest rates nearing 22%. She overheard her father discussing her mother’s potential need to re-enter the workforce, a prospect her mother met with reluctance. This conversation solidified Achtemeier’s determination. "Something clicked in me like, ‘I will never have that conversation,’" Achtemeier stated, adding that she became driven to achieve success independently.
Achtemeier credits her father for instilling confidence, stating, "My father gave me a voice and confidence." After moving from Iowa to Los Angeles, she observed that women in the commercial real estate finance industry often received administrative roles and sometimes missed partnership opportunities and financial rewards available to male colleagues. Despite these challenges in a male-dominated field, Achtemeier focused on delivering results. She notes that her strong work ethic and specific skills helped her secure a significant position. "I was one of the fortunate ones who had enough skills and a strong enough work ethic that I got a seat at the table," she said.
Her advice for navigating career setbacks is straightforward: "Stay in the boat." Achtemeier emphasizes the importance of persistence, stating that a successful career requires staying engaged through both successes and challenges.
Achtemeier also drew inspiration from her daughter, Lauren, who attended the award event. She reflected on the sacrifices involved in building a demanding career while raising a child, including time as a single parent, acknowledging missed moments like a first day of school or arriving late to a volleyball game. Lauren, 33, has since followed in her mother’s footsteps, now serving as a Vice President for a major industrial logistics company.
Currently, Achtemeier focuses on mentoring younger professionals and creating career paths for women, as well as preparing the next generation of her team. She also serves as Chair of City of Hope’s Real Estate Industry Group. She notes a positive shift in the industry, observing that career women today are more supportive of each other than in previous decades, fostering a "good sense of sisterhood." Despite friends often asking when she plans to slow down, Achtemeier states she doesn't wish to, adding, "I like it."