Herndon, Virginia (June 10, 2022) – NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, has appointed Clarion Partners' Senior Vice President of Asset Management, Sara Young, as a founding member and co-chair of its new Technology in the Built Environment Forum. The Technology in the Built Environment Forum is being developed with members from markets across the country who play a strategic role in the selection, integration and adoption of CRE-related technology.
The Forum will work to establish best practices in utilizing technology, becoming an effective adopter, managing risk, and overcoming obstacles to replacing underperforming CRE technology solutions. Specific areas of focus for the Forum are related to software and technology for construction, environmental, social and governance (ESG) including sustainability, due diligence and site selection, building operations analysis, asset management, managing tenant relationships, financial analysis, automation of CRE back-office operations, emerging technologies, and the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in utilizing data. Members will also address the impact that emerging trends such as AI/machine learning and drone technologies will have on the future of the industry.
Young serves on the Clarion Partners U.S. Industrial Team, which oversees the investment results of core and opportunistic investments, including new development projects, on behalf of five separate accounts in 13 markets (32 buildings totaling approximately 11.78 million square feet). Young also serves as a member of Clarion's ESG Resilience Subcommittee and of Clarion's Women's Leadership Network Steering Committee. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2002 and worked in various engineering and real estate roles before joining Clarion Partners in 2007. In addition to her work with NAIOP, she is a LEED® Green Associate and a member of Industrial Women in Real Estate (IWIRE) North Texas.
NAIOP's select National Forums program brings together leading industry professionals for exclusive networking and candid, closed-door meetings to exchange experience and ideas around topics of interest. Applicants are evaluated by a selection committee for appointment to the Forums and must be NAIOP members in good standing, among other criteria.
To find out more about the NAIOP National Forums program, visit www.naiop.org/forums.