CREDA SFBA is thrilled to welcome Lisa Vogel as the new Co-Chair of the Programs Committee. A longtime industry veteran with a passion for relationships and events, Lisa brings decades of commercial real estate experience and a genuine love for bringing people together.
Lisa joined CBRE in September 2024, where she oversees Meta's non-operating portfolio across the Bay Area — roughly 5 million square feet of space the company no longer occupies but still holds under lease. Her role blends traditional property management with a more strategic twist: subleasing space, negotiating and reducing the company's ongoing liability. Her territory spans Sunnyvale, Menlo Park, Fremont, Burlingame, and San Francisco.
"I enjoy dealing with people. For me, this industry is perfect because I get to work with tenants, brokers, vendors and owners. It's really all about relationship building — that's why I love it."
With over 35 years in commercial real estate, Lisa describes herself as a "deal junkie" who built her career in every corner of the Bay Area. Before CBRE, she was Director of Asset Management at Wareham Development, and earlier held executive leadership roles in asset management at Deutsche Bank, MKD Property Investments, and Rialto Capital Management. Those relationships have stayed with her. "I just got off the phone with a broker I hadn't done a deal with in ten years — he called just to catch up. I'm still friends with tenants from 30 years ago."
Lisa's history with CREDA runs deeper than most. She first served on the CREDA Silicon Valley board, and around that time was also a member of the board of directors for BOMA International and president of the board of directors for BOMA San Francisco.
Her path back to CREDA came through persistence. She kept pitching the idea of an annual social and philanthropic event until the organization invited her to join the Programs Committee — a natural fit given her love of event planning. Since then, she's been a driving force behind Fleet Week, the golf tournament, and Best of the Bay.
"I love the caliber and quality of the people who make up CREDA. I feel like I'm building lifelong friends just by being involved. To me, it's about being relevant, rewarding, and fun — all three have to happen."
As she steps into the Co-Chair role alongside Courtney Trunnell, Lisa is looking forward to working more closely day-to-day while mentoring new committee members into event leadership. "I still want to run the golf tournament, I still want to do those things — but I also want to bring new people on board and help the organization keep growing."
Reflecting on what CREDA has meant to her, Lisa points back to her Deutsche Bank days, when the organization became her primary way of building the relationships she relied on daily. "It was instrumental in creating that outside-of-work connection with brokers and colleagues. You can't put a value on that." The personal payoff runs just as deep. "My kids always say I collect people along the way. Once I collect them, I don't let them go."
Her advice for young professionals: put down the phone — the smartphone, not the landline — and pick up the actual phone. "There's a lack of communication that isn't electronic. Ask someone to lunch, ask someone to drinks, spend time getting to know people on a personal level. People like doing business with people they enjoy. When something goes wrong and you have a real relationship with a client, they partner with you through it instead of yelling and making it worse."
Outside of work — which, she admits, doesn't leave much room for "outside of work" — Lisa is deeply involved in philanthropy, calling it her second full-time job. She currently serves as Board Chair of Illuminate, is a former member of the Make-A-Wish board of directors, and has been a wish grantor for 30 years. She's also a mentor with Berkeley Scholars and CREW. "Giving back is important to me. That's what makes me feel good."
When she does find free time, Lisa enjoys waterskiing, travel, and time with family. She's also developed a passion for EDM, following favorite artists to shows — her kids work in the music industry, which she jokes makes it a little self-serving.