The Learning Curve: Still Learning While Leading

Nearly a decade into her career at CenterSquare Investment Management, Rachel Gines, senior vice president of capital markets and a gold winner in the Rising Star category of CPE’s 2025 Influence Awards, is adamant that she does not know everything.

As a leader, she prioritizes sharing what she does know with her team and being a support system as they navigate the ins and outs of real estate investment.

Mentorship has been a part of Gines’ life since before she entered the workforce. Whether it was taking on leadership roles in her high school choir groups or having a little in her college sorority, being both a mentor and a mentee has remained important to her.

While Gines always expected to pursue a career in investment, real estate was not initially the path she envisioned. It was the combination of analytical and interpersonal work that ultimately drew her to her role at CenterSquare.

After joining the firm as an analyst in 2017, Gines began gaining hands-on experience early in her career. During one meeting, she expected to sit back, listen and take notes until her own mentor told her she would be leading the introduction. The experience helped Gines build confidence in her abilities, something she credits in part to having the support of her mentor.

Now on the other side of that relationship at CenterSquare, Gines has taken on mentees of her own while still finding ways to challenge herself, grow into her role and pass on what she has learned to those coming up behind her.

Some highlights from the conversation:

• (00:53) Finding the right path
• (6:31) Early practice and building confidence
• (13:02) Overcommitment and burnout
• (18:44) The power of mentorship
• (23:14) Building credibility and your personal brand
• (30:27) Final advice and what’s to come

Follow, rate and review CPE’s podcasts on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe to CPE’s YouTube channel!