Russell Reynolds hires Gemma Burgess as co-leader for real estate

Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA), a global leadership advisory firm, has hired Gemma Burgess as a managing director and co-leader of the global real estate practice.

Based in Chicago and New York, Burgess brings 20 years of search and consulting experience across private equity, investment banking, investment management, and real estate investment trust.

She joins RRA from HR consultancy Ferguson Partners, where she spent 16 years and latterly served as CEO and vice chairman. Burgess also previously was president of the firm’s US search practice.

Earlier in her career, she worked in the non-executive search practice of Hanson Green and the executive search practice of Ramsey Hall.

"Having Gemma as part of Russell Reynolds' leadership team brings innovative thinking and well-developed insights to our teammates and clients in the real estate sector and beyond. With her experience and expertise, we are well positioned in the new year to navigate the ever-changing global real estate landscape and together drive business growth," said Deb Barbanel, co-leader of Russell Reynolds Associates' global real estate practice.

Founded in 1969 and headquartered in New York, RRA has more than 600 consultants in 47 offices across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. The firm provides services in executive search, board search, and leadership succession, as well as various services in leadership performance – including DEI, culture advisory, assessment and benchmarking, development and transition, team effectiveness, and executive mentoring.

"I am ready to hit the ground running to help clients navigate the dynamic, challenging real estate environment," said Burgess. "My experience, combined with the team's functional expertise and industry knowledge across private markets, strongly positions us to advise the world's top real estate industry leaders."