2025 Ones to Watch - Industry Leaders: Zoe Heyman, Basis Investment Group

“Each day, Zoe brings her passion, drive, and expertise to elevating Basis to the next level. Her diligence in overseeing all of Basis’s Investor Relations activities, along with her mentorship to emerging leaders at our firm, have been invaluable to our company culture.”

What recent accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of, and what impact did it have on your firm, clients, or community? I’m most proud of helping drive the successful early momentum of BIG’s Fund III, which reached ~70% commitments at its first close despite a challenging fundraising market. I led key elements of investor engagement, messaging, and diligence that strengthened LP relationships and enhanced our IR platform. I also played a key role in writing BIG’s 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report which details our sustainability goals.

What advice would you share with emerging professionals striving to become future leaders in commercial real estate? I would encourage young professionals to get involved in as many career-centered organizations as possible. Real estate is an industry built on relationships, and there are plenty of established leaders in the industry happy to lend their knowledge to the next generation if you just ask. Through my work with Basis’s Capital Connect Initiative, I have met many young and talented professionals eager to learn and invest. I would encourage anyone looking into real estate, especially if you do not come from a legacy real estate background, to reach out to professionals and be open to advice.

What book, podcast, or app has most influenced your approach to leadership? “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown really shifted the way I think about leadership.