4B — October 2025 — Women in Business — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
W omen in B usiness
Helping clients bridge the gap between policy, finance, and community growth Meet Amanda Brady, CPA, Shareholder and Co-Practice Leader at WilkinGuttenplan
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firm that allows us to define our own career paths. When my children were young, I worked a part-time schedule, which let me stay on track professionally while spend - ing time with them. Now that they’re a bit older, I have the flexibility to adjust my hours, so I don’t miss important moments, like their sporting events. That kind of support has made a real difference for me, both personally and professionally. Who are some of the other women at WG mak- ing an impact in real es- tate, and how do you see them shaping the future of the practice? Cara Gray – Cara has ex- tensive experience and knowl - edge of PILOT agreements. She’s been instrumental in helping me grow the PILOT practice area, and I see her continuing to take on a larger leadership role. In the next few years, I expect she’ll identify and build out a new sub-niche within the real estate practice that she can lead. Stephanie Holston – Stephanie brings deep part - nership expertise, which is the primary ownership structure used by most real estate de - velopers. Her knowledge spans qualified opportunity zones, 1031 exchanges, and energy credits, among other areas of daughter’s U6 soccer team and cheering on my kids in soccer, lacrosse, football, and baseball. Outside of that, I enjoy working out with friends and exploring through travel. Staying active and connected with people I care about is what keeps me balanced. What inspiring words of advice would you give to If there’s a country con- cert nearby, I’m there- no question! I love spending my free time with my family, especially cooking meals we can enjoy together with a great bottle of wine. There’s nothing better than taking beach trips to Stone Harbor, NJ with my daughter. It’s a special place where I made childhood memories, and now we are creating our own. What inspiring word of
expertise. Having Stephanie on our team allows us to pro- vide clients with sophisticated tax advice and support, which strengthens our ability to at- tract and serve complex real estate clients. Together, Cara and Stepha - nie are playing a key role in shaping the future of our real estate practice and ensuring its continued growth. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of com- mercial real estate or your allied field? The world of real estate offers so many opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact. In accounting, we have the unique opportunity to be involved in projects from the initial idea through the chal - lenges that arise along the way, and into the operational phase when developers see their vision become a reality. It’s rewarding to have a front- row seat to the full lifecycle of a project and to witness the impact these developments have on the communities they serve. For young women enter - ing this field, it’s an exciting, ever-evolving industry with endless opportunities to build a meaningful career. Don’t be afraid to carve out your own path and bring your perspec - tive to the table. MAREJ a young woman about to go into the field of com- mercial real estate or your allied field? Don’t let your age or gender define you. Focus on your work ethic, authenticity, and humil - ity – the results will follow. People respect consistency and character more than anything else. MAREJ advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of com - mercial real estate? Stay focused, stay hungry and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Go on every property tour you can with ex- perienced agents in your office and be a sponge. Soak up all the knowledge you can then go out and apply it! And remem - ber, there is no such thing as a dumb question! MAREJ
hat was your greatest profes- sional accom-
Amanda Brady, CPA Shareholder Years with company/firm: 26 Years in field: 26 Years in real estate industry: 26 Real estate organizations/affiliations: New Jersey Builders Association, NAIOP
plishment in 2024? In 2024, I became a share - holder at the firm and was named co-practice leader of our real estate department. It was a meaningful milestone for me and a reflection of the work I’ve put in over the years and the support of my colleagues. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career? Len Nitti, with whom I co-lead our firm’s real estate group, has been both a role model and mentor to me. He’s offered guidance, support, and encouragement over the years. He has always understood my career goals and pushed me to step outside my comfort zone to achieve them. Having someone in my corner who un- derstands both the technical side of the work and the impor - tance of professional growth has made a real impact. What challenges and/or obstacles do you feel you needed to overcome to be- come as successful as you are today? The biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome is my natural reluctance toward network - ing. I’m very introverted, so it took time to get comfortable with the idea and recognize its
importance in building rela - tionships and growing in this field. Over time, I’ve learned to approach it in a way that feels genuine to me. How did the PILOT audit practice at WG come to be, and what role do you play in leading it? I worked on my first Pay - ment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) audit nearly 20 years ago, and it was something new for the firm. Over time, more of our clients began entering into these agreements. While the same statute governs all PILOTs, each one is uniquely structured. I realized I needed to take a deep dive into the statute to serve our clients better. That specialized knowl - edge naturally led to the estab - lishment and growth of PILOT audits as a dedicated practice area within the firm. Today, I lead the niche practice group and continue to guide our team as these audits become increasingly prevalent across the state. What is the funniest, most unique situation you have faced/conquered during your business career? Early in my banking career, I was a commercial analyst – and a vegetarian. When the lender on one of my deals invited me to tour the client’s facility, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to see a deal from
How do you collaborate with developers, munici- palities, and attorneys to ensure a smooth PILOT process? The financial agreement for a PILOT program includes specific definitions that audi - tors rely on to complete the report submitted to the mu - nicipality. Our goal is to work closely with clients to make sure those definitions are clearly written and consistent with the statute, which helps minimize any gray areas that the town could challenge. We also recognize that many developers maintain their re - cords on an income tax basis, which can differ significantly from financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. To support a smooth process, we work with clients to bridge that gap, explaining the differences and how they affect the financial statements. How do you manage the work/life balance? I’m fortunate to work at a the field. Walking (in heels) through a meat processing fa- cility was definitely not on the bingo card, but it was certainly a memorable experience. What outside activities do you enjoy during your free time? Most of my free time is spent with my family and my kid’s activities—I love coaching my
Amber Corbo, Vice President at NAI CIR . . . Casey Khuri, Principal & COO at NAI CIR . . . continued from page 3B I’m married to my husband, Zack – we celebrated 12 years of marriage in September. He serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at Orrstown Bank. We have three incredible children, Jackson (8), Scarlett (5), and Lincoln (3), who keep us busy and make us laugh every day.
ther based on my experience. In today’s world, as more women hold leadership posi - tions and make their mark through various industries, I think women can easily hold their own and prove their work ethic and value. If you are the primary caregiver to your chil- dren what obstacle and challenges do you meet on a day to day basis? The biggest obstacle is
time and constantly wishing there was more of it! Some days, I’m sure, like every other mom reading this, it feels like you’re either com- ing up short at work or as a mom. The biggest challenge is utilizing time as effective - ly as possible but also learn- ing to be okay with moving a to-do list item to tomorrow. What outside activities do you enjoy during your free time?
continued from page 3B prospects equate my years of experience to the type of work I produce. Through effective communication, market in- sights and past experiences, I ensure I go above and beyond for my clients. Do you feel being a woman is an advantage, disadvantage or no ad- vantage in today’s business world? Why? Why not? I would lean towards nei -
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