Three Generations, One Industry: A Conversation on Multigenerational Teams

Cathy Marcus once assembled property materials with developed photographs, tape, and a copy machine. Today, she sees young analysts using AI to expand what they can accomplish.

That perspective opened a conversation about how generations can learn from one another and work effectively together. Cathy Marcus of PGIM Real Estate joined Terron Grant of the New York State Common Retirement Fund and Luis Engleton-Sapon of Artemis Real Estate Partners for a discussion moderated by PREA Foundation Executive Director Dr. Ivan Barron.

Across three generations, the panel agreed on the importance of in-person time. Informal conversations give colleagues access to experience that is difficult to capture in formal training. Cathy’s practice of walking the floor and offering advice showed how mentorship can become part of daily work, while timely feedback helps employees put that guidance into practice.

Each generation brings strengths that can improve how a team works, from established relationships and experience to adaptability and fluency with new technology. The panel’s discussion of AI offered a practical example: combining familiarity with new tools and experienced colleagues’ judgment can help teams reduce administrative work and devote more time to analysis and strategy. For early-career professionals, working through the underlying analysis remains an important part of developing that judgment themselves.

For firms, the opportunity is to make better use of the talent already around the table and give colleagues time to learn from one another.

Thank you to Cathy, Terron, Luis, and Ivan for sharing their perspectives.