Meet Amber Merrigan

What is your role at Avison Young?

I joined Avison Young in 2014. I specialize in working with tenants and landlords to resolve their complex real estate issues. I began my real estate career advising tenants across a wide variety of sectors (with an emphasis on technology), and working with landlords in leasing spaces (primary focus on value-add assets).

How did you get into commercial real estate?

I graduated with a degree in Journalism in 2010 and immediately went to work with ESPN and the Oakland Raiders. While pursuing sports journalism, I received my real estate license in 2010 and ultimately decided to pivot and began working with a local Oakland based boutique real estate and development firm. I immediately grew captivated by the industry’s complexity, the art of a deal and the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

Charlie Allen (Managing Director of the Oakland office, my business partner and mentor), gave me the advice that was something along the lines of a Benjamin Franklin quote, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it”. Essentially emphasizing to be a good person, work hard and always act with your client’s best interest in mind. Simple advice, but it’s gold!

What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?

Embrace the challenge (especially as that relates to the learning curve and first few years of brokerage), speak your truth (speak it quick, speak it fast whether it’s good or bad news – just get it out!), dress for the job that you want – and proactively do the work that you want to be doing.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I am registered yoga instructor (RYT). Yoga and breath exercises were my foundation for getting in the headspace to “embrace the suck”, this really allowed me to work through the first few gruesome years in brokerage. Many days, I would leave a work day boiling with anger – yoga taught me to find stillness within the struggle, to embrace vulnerability and it helped me become a better listener (which really differentiates me when interacting with clients).