Two World-Class Panels Featured at ITRA Global Symposium in London

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Founded in 1980, The Stevens Group is a Boston-based commercial real estate brokerage and advisory firm with more than four decades of experience helping companies make informed real estate decisions. Today, our practice is centered on Corporate Real Estate Advisory & Tenant Representation, providing independent, conflict-free guidance to tenants and occupiers throughout Greater Boston and beyond.

We advise clients on site selection, negotiations for new leases, renewals, relocations, expansions, consolidations, and specialized office, R&D/lab, industrial and flex requirements. As the Boston affiliate of the International Tenant Representative Alliance (ITRA Global), we can also support clients across the U.S. and internationally while maintaining the senior- level, hands-on service of an independent firm.

The Stevens Group has been certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) since 2011 and is proud to celebrate 15 years of certification in 2026.

What inspired you to start your company, and what has shaped your journey woman business owner in CRE?

The Stevens Group was founded by my parents, Mark and Debra Stevens, in 1980, and I joined the firm in 2013. My mother had a remarkable career in commercial real estate and showed me firsthand what was possible for a woman in the industry, while my father was an equally important mentor and supporter. Since Debra’s passing last year, carrying forward what they built has taken on added meaning. I am proud of our history and committed to positioning The Stevens Group for the future while preserving the integrity, reputation, and client focus that define us.

What are you most proud of about the company you’ve built? 

I am most proud of the trust we have earned and the long-standing relationships we have built with clients over more than four decades. Our size and independence allow us to stay closely involved, be responsive, and give objective advice. I also value that we have continued to evolve and stay current while remaining true to how we do business.

Celebrating 15 years as a certified women business enterprise is another milestone I am especially proud of.

What are you most excited about for your company and its future? 

I am excited to continue expanding the ways we support clients as their real estate needs become more complex. We have the advantage of being nimble, experienced, and highly personal in our approach, while our ITRA Global affiliation gives clients broader reach when they need it. I see the next chapter as thoughtful growth, interesting assignments, and continuing to strengthen our reputation as a trusted advisor to corporate occupiers.

What does being a woman-owned business mean to you, and what perspective would you share with women considering starting a business of their own? 

Being a woman-owned business is meaningful to me because it reflects how far opportunities for women in commercial real estate have come. CRE Brokerage is a demanding career, but I believe women can build successful businesses and careers in this industry without having to choose between professional growth and the other priorities in their lives. My advice is to seek out strong mentors and advisors, trust your expertise and create a culture that values high performance and flexibility. The right environment can make a meaningful difference in sustaining a rewarding career over time.

FOUNDED:  1980

HEADQUARTERS: Boston, MA

SPECIALTIES: Corporate Real Estate Advisory & Tenant Representation; Office, R&D/Lab, Industrial & Flex Requirements

MARKETS SERVED: Greater Boston/Massachusetts; and national and international supportand consulting

WOMAN-OWNED SINCE: 2011

September 2012

LONDON - ITRA Global organized two outstanding panel discussions for “Doing Business in the Americas,” a premier all-day Symposium held recently at the Park Plaza Victoria Hotel in London, England. The invited audience included top executives from European companies, in addition to ITRA Global clients. Topics covered ranged from state and regional incentives to site selection factors and other key issues essential to successful business expansion throughout North America and Latin America.

Mark A. Stevens, Vice Chairman of the board of ITRA Global, and Principal of Boston based ITRA Global/The Stevens Group says the event was a tremendous resource for company executives who must navigate a significantly changed global marketplace. “The Symposium provided attendees with crucial information about changes in business expansion logistics and site selection factors in the United States, Canada and Latin America brought about by the challenging economy of recent years,” Stevens explains.

The distinguished Corporate Guest Panel was comprised of high profile executives who shared case studies and experiences relevant to today’s business expansion in the Americas, including property availability, build-to-suit, leasing versus owning, and more. The Symposium represented an opportunity for the executives on the panel to share their unique perspectives with attendees from Europe and around the world.

The Economic Development Guest Panel was moderated by ITRA Global Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Ronald Pollina,who also is the author of the “2012 Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-BusinessStates Study. ” The panel included top officials from the following government agencies in the Americas:

  • Missouri, USA
  • Pennsylvania, USA
  • Ontario, Canada
  • Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Colombia
  • Mexico
  • Panama

“The Economic Development Guest Panel covered such matters as transportation, labor, taxation, business-friendly culture, and many other regional differentiators hat company executives must consider when expanding to the Americas,” says Pollina.

Structured as a moderated forum, guests had the opportunity during the Symposium to ask questions during the panel discussions, networking sessions, and on a one-on-one basis with Economic Development officials and ITRA Global Site Selection experts via pre-arranged appointments. Also included in the day’s schedule was a networking luncheon and a cocktail reception to conclude the event.