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Olivia Leigh
Executive Vice President at Macerich, a retail real estate REIT, 2023 GlobeSt Woman of Influence
Olivia Bartel Leigh is the Executive Vice President of Portfolio Operations and People at Macerich, a retail real estate investment trust (REIT).13 In this role, she leads a wide range of operational services across the company's portfolio, drawing upon her extensive experience in the real estate industry.1
Key Responsibilities
Leigh's responsibilities at Macerich encompass several crucial areas:
- Operations
- People and Culture
- Sustainability
- Real Estate Tax
- Security
- Risk Management
She focuses on identifying and addressing the needs of customers, employees, and shareholders in the communities where Macerich operates, with the goal of optimizing both the on-mall and in-office experience for all stakeholders.1
Leadership in Sustainability
One of Leigh's primary responsibilities is leading Macerich's comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts.1 Under her leadership, the company has consistently earned top accolades in sustainability, including:
- #1 GRESB ranking in the North American Retail Sector for seven consecutive years (2015-2021)
- CDP Climate "A List" status for multiple years
Leigh is instrumental in driving Macerich's ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, which is two decades ahead of the Paris Agreement timeline.1
Career Progression at Macerich
Leigh joined Macerich in 2005 and has held various leadership positions within the company:
- Senior Vice President, Property Management (West)
- Risk management leadership roles
- Human resources leadership roles
Her diverse experience across different disciplines within Macerich allows her to bring a broad perspective to her current operational responsibilities.12
Professional Background
Before joining Macerich, Leigh held real estate roles at:
- Catellus Development Corporation
- Grubb & Ellis (now Newmark Knight Frank)1
Leigh is recognized as a strategic multi-discipline leader with expertise in operations, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), sustainability, and business development.3 She is known for building high-performing teams and developing talent within the organization.3