About our firm

At Rhodes, we have a singular mission – the success of our Clients and maximizing their return on investment in human capital. Founded in 1969, we specialize in representing firms in most major sectors and disciplines within the global real estate industry. Throughout our 50+ years of experience in executive search, organizational and strategic consulting, rhodes has consistently demonstrated expertise in building high performance teams for some of the world’s leading real estate companies. Together, our Partners have more than 100 years of real estate and executive search experience and are involved in all aspects of the search/consulting process. Our Client-centered focus and attention to return on investment, leads to industry leading assignment completion and retention rates of over 95%.

meet our team

Steven littman

President & Managing partner

BIO

President and Managing partner

Steven Littman

During his more than 40-year career in executive search and organizational consulting, Steven has completed thousands of search and consulting assignments in the global real estate industry. Running Rhodes as president while actively conducting high-level executive searches, he is particularly proud of the firm’s industry-leading 95%+ success ratio, which includes search completions and retentions.

The key to this achievement, he says, is “helping companies become more successful businesses and guiding professionals to build successful careers.” More than just search, it’s about having the diagnostic skills and experience to help clients develop the most effective organizational structures, teams and individuals that support the business’s approach and philosophy. “We help them figure out what they really need,” says Steven. “Our systematic process is what separates Rhodes from the others. Recruiting is simply the end result.”

Steven developed his knowledge of real estate as a founding partner of two substantial businesses, which were responsible for more than $1 billion in real estate transactions – Rockwood Real Estate, an advisory and investment firm, and Rohman Development, a developer/owner of multifamily units. He also started and led for a number of years the global real estate practice at IRC Global Executive Search Partners.

Earlier in his career, Steven gained relevant consulting experience and skills in Human Resources when he worked for two major corporations, including Federated Department Stores. He is an active member and supporter of the Urban Land Institute.

Email: slittman@rhodesassociates.com

JANE LYONS

Senior Managing partner

BIO

SENIOR Managing partner

JANE LYONS

During her more than 30-year career in executive search and organizational consulting, Jane has helped many of the world’s leading real estate companies recruit their most successful executives as well as entire teams. Her scope includes serving clients in banking, commercial lending, investment, and private and public owner/developers.

An important part of Jane’s work is mentoring young people who are interested in pursuing opportunities in the real estate business. This involvement includes speaking regularly about the industry to undergraduate and graduate groups at Columbia University and NYU. “I like being accessible to help young people develop their talents and structure their career paths,” she says.

In addition to nurturing talent and career opportunities for candidates, Jane also provides strategies to help her clients retain top performers. “The best run companies actively manage careers internally,” she notes, “and we are committed to helping them. We care and take very seriously our responsibility to impact lives and careers.”

Remaining active in leading industry groups is another way Jane carries out her mission. She is past president of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) in New York, and she sits on the Retail Council of the Urban Land Institute, a non-profit that provides leadership in responsible land use and the creation of thriving communities. Jane is also an active member of the Pension Real Estate Association and Mortgage Bankers Association. She earned a BA from the University of Maryland.

Email: jlyons@rhodesassociates.com

steven zimmerman

Partner

BIO

Partner

steven zimmerman

Steven Zimmerman is a Partner at Rhodes Associates and is responsible for the origination and execution of organizational consulting and senior executive search assignments. Steven comes to Rhodes with more than ten years of experience in commercial real estate investment sales with Eastern Consolidated as well as Ten-X Commercial, where he completed more than $400M in commercial property transactions. Prior to his experience in commercial real estate, Steven founded Direct Connect Staffing, a boutique recruiting agency that catered to major banks, private equity firms and hedge fund clients. Steven graduated cum laude from Skidmore College with a BA in Psychology. He lives in Westchester, NY with his wife and two children.

Matthew Chen

SENIOR PRINCIPAL

BIO

SENIOR PRINCIPAL

Matthew Chen

Matthew Chen is a Senior Principal at Rhodes Associates. He is responsible for the management and execution of organizational consulting and executive search assignments from inception to completion, in all major sectors of the real estate industry, both domestically and across the globe.

Prior to joining Rhodes, Matthew served as a Vice President at HVS Executive Search specializing in hospitality real estate recruitment across North America. Working closely with owners/operators, developers, PE, and investment firms, Matthew has successfully built out executive leadership teams for numerous growth organizations. Earlier in his career, Matthew also served as a Recruitment Consultant for Hudson Global Services in Singapore recruiting for various multinational organizations across Asia Pacific.

Matthew graduated from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and is based in NYC.

TRIPP LYONS

Principal

BIO

Principal

TRIPP LYONS

Tripp Lyons is a Principal at Rhodes Associates and is responsible for business development and assisting in the management and execution of search and organizational consulting assignments. Prior to joining Rhodes, Tripp has more than eight years of CRE transactional experience in areas such as capital markets, financing, leasing, and investment sales with firms such as Iron Hound Management, Ackman-Ziff, and Eastern Consolidated. As part of his responsibilities, Tripp focused on business development and was responsible for closing approximately $250M of assignments in both debt and equity.

Tripp graduated from Gettysburg College with a BA in History.

ISABELLA SAND

PRINCIPAL

BIO

Principal

Isabella sand

Isabella graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and minored in psychology. She was a member of the Syracuse University Division I Volleyball Team, so working on a team is not foreign to her.

To Isabella, being able to partner with some of the most talented people in the industry is a privilege. She finds nothing more fulfilling than helping take someone’s career to the next level and following the success of those she works with in the value they bring not only to clients, but the real estate industry as a whole. Since joining the industry, Isabella has enjoyed that real estate is a constantly evolving world, which gives her insight and appreciation for the drivers of change and their impacts across all markets.

ALEXANDRA LIBERTO

Principal, HEAD OF RESEARCH

BIO

Principal, Head of Research

Alexandra liberto

Alexandra Liberto is a Principal at Rhodes Associates and specializes in the field of research. She joined Rhodes in 2018 and has since expanded her role to oversee and contribute to the research function to successfully drive the executive search process from inception to completion. Alexandra earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Muhlenberg College in 2018.

KATE TARBELL-LITTMAN

Principal, Finance & Operations

BIO

Principal, Finance & Operations

Kate Tarbell-Littman

Kate Tarbell-Littman is a Principal at Rhodes Associates, working closely with the Chief Operating Officer to lead all day-to-day operations of the company.

Prior to joining Rhodes, Kate worked at the New York investment management office of a Middle Eastern-based wealth management firm, where she also completed the CFA Institute’s Investment Foundations program.

Kate earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management with a minor in Gender Studies from Skidmore College. While at Skidmore she was a member of their Division I Equestrian team.

Laura Ali

VICE PRESIDENT

BIO

vice president

Laura Ali

Laura Ali joined Rhodes Associates in 2022 as a Vice President focusing on research and recruiting across all of the sectors and disciplines of Rhodes real estate extensive search and organizational consulting practice.

Prior to joining Rhodes, Laura worked with public REITs in the New York Metropolitan area such as Equity Residential, as well as within property management teams of privately held owners/operators/developers such as Building and Land Technology in Stamford, CT. During the course of her real estate career, Laura has managed more than 1M sf. of multifamily real estate properties.

Laura obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from City University of New York – Lehman College in 2013.

Sarah Tarbell-Littman

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT

BIO

ASSOCIATE Vice President

Sarah Tarbell- Littman

Sarah Tarbell-Littman is an Associate Vice President, Research, overseeing Rhodes’ research systems and technology and to ensure the efficacy of the information in our databases.

Prior to joining Rhodes Sarah pursued a career in as an educator, teaching in preschool classrooms.

Sarah holds a Masters of Education in Special Education from the University of Vermont and a Bachelor’s Degree magna cum laude from Clark University where she majored in Psychology and minored in Education.

Kathleen Anderle

Associate Vice President

BIO

ASSOCIATE

Kathleen Anderle

Kathleen (Kat) Anderle is an Associate Vice President at Rhodes. In her role, Kat provides support for all Rhodes’ consulting and executive search activities. Prior to working with the Rhodes team, Kat was the Director of Administration as well as EA to President and COO for 14 years at FJC Security Services, a privately owned security company with over 4,000 employees. She provided vital assistance in the confidential sale and transition of the company. Kat is graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design.

Madison McGuirt

Associate

BIO

ASSOCIATE

Madison Mcguirt

Madison McGuirt is an Associate at Rhodes. In her role, Madison provides support for all of Rhodes’ consulting and executive search activities. Madison obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing with a concentration in Digital Marketing from DePaul University, she gained experience through various marketing and operations internships and is an Alumna of Delta Zeta sorority.

Erin Johnson

Research Associate

BIO

ASSOCIATE

Erin Johnson

Erin is an Associate at Rhodes, where she is part of the research team and contributes to the exec search process from inception to completion. Erin obtained her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, where she majored in Labor and Employment Relations.

areas of expertise

sectors we serve

Our Real Estate practice encompasses most major industry sectors, including:

BROKERAGE

COMMERCIAL BANKING

CONSULTING

CORPORATE REAL ESTATE

DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION

FINANCE & DEBT CAPITAL MARKETS

HEDGE FUNDS

HOSPITALITY

INFRASTRUCTURE

INSURANCE

INVESTMENT ADVISORS

INVESTMENT BANKING

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

OWNERS/OPERATORS

areas of expertise

disciplines

Rhodes’ Real Estate Practice encompasses most major disciplines including:

ACQUISITIONS

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

ASSET MANAGEMENT

BROKERAGE

CAPITAL RAISING

CONSTRUCTION

CORPORATE REAL ESTATE

CREDIT/RISK MANAGEMENT

DEBT CAPITAL MARKETS

DEVELOPMENT

FINANCE & ACCOUNTING

HUMAN RESOURCES

INVESTOR RELATIONS

LEASING

LEGAL

LENDING

MARKETING

MORTGAGE BANKING

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

PROPERTY OPERATIONS

RESEARCH

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

UNDERWRITING

WORKOUTS RESTRUCTURING