Debra S. Barbanel

Debra Barbanel co-leads the Real Estate Practice for the Americas. Based in Los Angeles, Deb works across the financial services spectrum to identify top leadership talent for public and private real estate companies, and financial services companies. Deb leverages her in-depth knowledge and extensive experience across all aspects of real estate to bring her clients senior leadership solutions.

Previous Experience

Deb joined the firm from Ferguson Partners, a boutique executive search and professional services firm dedicated to the real estate and related financial services industry. There, she was Vice Chairman and focused on recruiting senior executives to public and private real estate companies, and financial services companies. Concurrently, she also served as Senior Managing Director of FPL Advisory Group. In that role, she oversaw the firm's West Coast office and participated in major consulting and finance engagements. Prior to that, Deb was a Senior Partner with the law firm of Pircher, Nichols & Meeks in Los Angeles, which specializes in real estate law. While there, she was a member of the firm's Management Committee and during various stages of her tenure was the partner in charge of business development, recruiting and personnel.

Additional Professional Activities

Deb is also involved in non-profit activities, including serving on the board of the Evergreen Community School. She is also a council member of the Urban Land Institute and participates in various other real estate-related organizations.

Education

Deb received her B.A., magna cum laude, from St. Mary's College of Notre Dame and her J.D., cum laude, from the University of San Diego School of Law. She served as Notes and Comment Editor of the San Diego Law Review. Having lived in Madrid, Debra is conversant in Spanish.