Board Member Focus: Brandy Buttram
NAIOP SFBA is honored to welcome Brandy Buttram to the Board of Directors. A dedicated leader with a passion for building community in commercial real estate, Brandy has long been an active force within the chapter. From her time in our Young Professionals Group (YPG) Program to her continued involvement as an advisor, committee member, and Commercial Real Estate Alliance for Tomorrow’s Employees (CREATE) partner, she brings both experience and heart to her new role.
Brandy serves as Vice President at Northmarq Capital, where she specializes in debt and equity placement across the commercial real estate capital markets. She advises on all property types nationwide, with a strong client base in the Bay Area and Sacramento. While her core business centers on Agency and Life Insurance Company lending, she also partners with debt funds, banks, credit unions, and equity investors. Most recently, she joined Northmarq’s national NNN retail debt team, expanding her reach into new markets.
“I enjoy acting as a strategic advisor, bringing the right parties together, and crafting a structure that works for everyone involved. My favorite deals are the ones that challenge me to think beyond the numbers, get out of the weeds, and focus on the story behind the real estate"
Brandy thrives on structuring creative deals that bring borrowers and lenders together. A recent office loan closing stands out as an example of adaptability in today’s challenging market: despite the headwinds facing office, her team secured three strong quotes and worked closely with the chosen lender to come up with a solution that supported new leasing activity and met the client’s long-term vision for the asset. “In many ways, they are both my clients,” she explains. “My role is to understand the borrower’s goals and business plan, then identify a capital source that not only meets their financing needs but is also willing to get creative.”
At her core, Brandy is passionate about building community within commercial real estate and creating pathways for the next generation of professionals. Through her leadership in NAIOP’s YPG Program and her involvement with CREATE, she is deeply committed to mentoring emerging talent, promoting the industry, and fostering a sense of belonging.
“This industry has given me so much, and I want to help others see what makes it so special... I want people to feel like they belong here, that there’s a place for them to grow, build relationships, and find the same kind of fulfillment I’ve been lucky to experience. This is why I’ve continued to pour so much into the YPG Program and serve on the board of CREATE..”
”For me, it’s all about being a connector,” Brandy adds. “I get to put the puzzle pieces together by bringing people and capital together, telling the story behind the real estate, and making sure both sides feel supported.” The relationships she has built, and those she has yet to make, fuel her drive to support her peers and the next generation of leaders.
Brandy joined NAIOP in 2018 through the YPG Program and has remained actively involved ever since. She is currently a Board Member, past program co-chair and current advisor to the YPG Program, a CREATE Alliance Partner, and a member of the Membership Committee. What she values most about NAIOP is the sense of community and the connection it builds.
Brandy believes kindness and integrity are essential in building a lasting career. Her advice for young professionals is simple but powerful: “Be nice and always act with integrity. People remember how you made them feel, so be authentic because how you treat people matters. Be open to opportunity because some of the most rewarding experiences come from paths you did not plan. And most importantly, show up. Whether it is for a meeting, an event, or a project, give it your full effort. You really do get out what you put in, and that mindset has shaped my career from the start.”
California-born and raised, Brandy moved from the Greater Sacramento area to San Francisco in 2010 to finish college and fulfill her childhood dream of living in the city. A proud San Francisco State University graduate — Go Gators! — she now calls the city home. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, skiing, fishing, golfing, cooking, and catching live concerts.
