Sanderford Speaker Series Featuring JLL

On October 20, 2025, the White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate welcomed Meghan Ward (A&S ’02), Global Account Executive; Elizabeth Johnston (Darden ’04), Vice President of Training and Development; and Bailey Randall (McIntire ‘25), Capital Markets Analyst, for the latest installment of the Sanderford Speaker Series featuring JLL. The panel explored the firm’s business lines, key trends shaping the industry, and early-career opportunities for students interested in commercial real estate.

JLL Overview
JLL is one of the world’s leading commercial real estate firms, operating in more than 300 offices worldwide and generating $23.4 billion in annual revenue. With more than 250 years of combined industry history, JLL delivers services across the full spectrum of real estate. Ward emphasized that JLL sees itself as “a tech company that specializes in real estate,” investing millions annually in proptech and building platforms that improve execution for every service line, including tools for quoting, underwriting, and workplace efficiency. Today, JLL is deeply engaged in next-generation asset classes such as data centers, expected to grow rapidly as AI and quantum computing expand. She explained why companies outsource to JLL:

• To save money and drive efficiency
• To improve employee experience in the workplace
• To gain access to technology and best-in-class expertise

Across all business units, Ward highlighted JLL’s guiding principles, Teamwork, Ethics, and Excellence which allow clients to focus capital and energy on their core businesses.

Capital Markets & Talent Development
Johnston provided a window into JLL’s Capital Markets division, which completed 4,600+ transactions across 40+ countries and $186B in volume in 2024, ranking #1 in U.S. loan originations and #2 in investment sales. She outlined the types of transactions JLL executes, including investment sales, debt advisory, equity placement, and structured finance, and explained how deal teams create value for investors and owners.

Career & Internship Opportunities
A key focus of the session was JLL’s opportunities for young talent. Johnston outlined the firm’s 10-week Capital Markets Summer Analyst Program in Washington, D.C., which features:

• Rotations across five product teams (office, industrial, retail, multifamily, and debt & equity)
• Daily and weekly training
• Live deal exposure and underwriting experience
• Case studies, mentorship, and networking events
• Final investment committee presentation

The goal, she noted, is to develop the strongest pipeline of young professionals in the industry, with many interns receiving return or full-time offers by early fall. Ward also shared that many full-time roles and internships will be posted by November, encouraging UVA students to explore both advisory and corporate-side pathways at the firm.

Analyst Perspective
Analyst Bailey Randall shared her experience on the Office Investment Sales team, noting that she has already worked on 10 live deals in just three months, an opportunity unique to JLL’s deal volume and hands-on learning culture. Her perspective offered students an authentic look at the analyst role, from underwriting and market research to preparing valuation materials and presenting to clients.

The White Ruffin Byron Center thanks JLL for an insightful discussion and its continued engagement with UVA students. We look forward to future collaborations and opportunities for students to learn, grow, and launch their careers in commercial real estate.