At Berkadia, our success is built upon the talent and hard work of a broad, diversely skilled team. From analysts to loan closing specialists to managing directors each of our people brings a unique background, perspective and expertise. Their work allows Berkadia to remain a leader in the commercial real estate industry.
Today, we’re shining the spotlight on financial analyst, Shawn Hartzell, to learn more about his role at Berkadia, what part of his role he is most passionate about, and how Berkadia has impacted his personal and professional life.
Describe your role at Berkadia.
I am a Financial Analyst at Berkadia and have been in this role for over two years. In this position, I support investment sales brokers across the country by underwriting deals, building and refining financial models, and continuously optimizing those models to improve efficiency. I also play a key role in onboarding new brokers by assisting them with underwriting processes and helping them get up to speed with our tools and workflows.
In addition to deal-level support, I contribute to the underwriting and analysis of large portfolios, often in collaboration with multiple offices or corporate-level relationships. I also assist with ad-hoc market research requests to provide strategic insights for the teams I work with.
My role closely aligns with Berkadia’s core values—I strive to uphold integrity in all my work, support the people I work with, pursue excellence through innovation in our financial modeling, and contribute to a collaborative and long-term-focused culture that makes Berkadia a great place to work.
What part of your role are you most passionate about?
I’m most passionate about the analytical and collaborative aspects of my role. I genuinely enjoy diving into complex financial models and underwriting deals—it’s rewarding to break down a transaction and understand the story behind the numbers. I also really value the opportunity to collaborate with brokers across the country, especially when it comes to large portfolios or high-impact deals that require cross-functional coordination.
Another part of the role I’m passionate about is helping new brokers get up to speed. It’s fulfilling to share what I’ve learned and help set them up for success. Whether it’s walking them through underwriting strategies or helping refine their models, I enjoy being a resource and a trusted partner.
Ultimately, it’s the combination of problem-solving, continuous learning, and teamwork that keeps me engaged and excited about the work I do.
What excites you most about commercial real estate?
What excites me most about commercial real estate is the dynamic nature of the industry—no two deals are the same, and each one presents a new challenge and learning opportunity. I enjoy the blend of financial analysis, market trends, and strategic thinking that goes into evaluating properties and portfolios. It’s rewarding to see how our work directly contributes to major investment decisions and shapes the environment in meaningful ways.
I’m also drawn to how commercial real estate sits at the intersection of data and people. While financial modeling is the core of what I do, the relationships and collaboration with brokers and clients add a human element that makes the work even more impactful and fulfilling.
What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself coming into the commercial real estate industry, and what is the best piece of advice you have received?
If I could give my younger self advice when entering the commercial real estate industry, it would be to be patient and stay curious. This industry takes time to understand—every deal, every market, and every relationship adds another layer of insight. It’s easy to get caught up in the fast pace or feel like you must know everything right away, but growth in this space comes from being consistently engaged and willing to learn from every opportunity, no matter how small it may seem.
I’d also tell myself to build strong relationships early—with brokers, mentors, and peers. Commercial real estate is just as much about people and trust as it is about numbers. Taking the time to build those connections pays off in both career development and deal success.
The best piece of advice I’ve received is, “Be someone people can rely on.” In an industry driven by tight timelines and high-stakes decisions, being dependable, accurate, and responsive makes a lasting impact. It not only earns respect but also opens doors to larger, more meaningful responsibilities.
How has your time at Berkadia helped to accelerate your personal and professional development?
My time at Berkadia has been instrumental in accelerating both my personal and professional development. Professionally, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of deals—from single-asset transactions to large, complex portfolios—which has significantly deepened my technical skills in underwriting, financial modeling, and market analysis. I’ve also learned how to adapt quickly, think critically, and deliver under tight timelines, all while maintaining a high level of accuracy and professionalism.
On a personal level, working with brokers and teams across the country has strengthened my communication skills and taught me how to build strong, trust-based relationships. Helping new brokers onboard has also pushed me to become more confident in my knowledge and take on more leadership and mentoring roles, even without a formal title.
Being part of a company that values integrity, collaboration, and long-term growth has challenged me to hold myself to high standards and continuously look for ways to improve and innovate in my work.
Is there anything else our audience should know about you or your time at Berkadia?
One thing I’d like the audience to know is how much I’ve grown—both professionally and personally—during my time at Berkadia. The culture here truly reflects the values we talk about: integrity, people, innovation, and taking a long view. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredibly talented teams across the country, contribute to meaningful deals, and be part of a company that genuinely invests in its people.
What’s stood out most is how collaborative and supportive the environment is. Whether it’s helping new brokers get up to speed or working on complex portfolios, there’s always a sense that we’re working toward something bigger than just the next deal.
That’s what makes Berkadia a great place to build a career—not just a job.