Susan Thompson

Susan is a long-standing analyst and commentator on the commercial real estate market.  Her continuing work with local, national, and international media as a commentator for the commercial real estate sector has given her recognition within the industry as one of the preeminent sources of information and knowledge for leasing and transaction analysis and market trends.

Susan was previously with Avison Young working as their Research and Insight Manager over the course of nine years  (a boomerang employee: with them for four years, away for five years, then back for five years). She was responsible for dozens of reports on the Calgary commercial real estate market, covering office, retail and industrial leasing as well as business condominium properties and commercial property sales. More recently she focused on data-driven storytelling through reports, media work, and client engagement utilizing techology and analytics to help make better-informed decisions. 

In between periods with Avison Young, she spent over five years with Calgary Economic Development; first as their Business Development Manager specializing in Real Estate, helping companies bringing their business to Calgary navigate the local commercial real estate market, then as their overall Research Manager providing economic analysis and commentary on the Calgary market.

In prior years, after starting her career in assessment, Susan spent over seven years with RealNet Canada, the leading provider of third-party commercial real estate sales information. Working her way up from Research Analyst to Manager for the Calgary office, Susan analyzed thousands of commercial real estate transactions and is extremely knowledgeable about the commercial real estate market in Calgary. 

Susan has a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with a major in Management Science from the University of Alberta. Well recognized in the industry, Susan’s name is often seen in the media as she provides commentary and insight on current commercial real estate topics. Susan's breadth of knowledge across the commercial real estate market and in data analytics is an asset across the industry.

Collaborated with the Globe and Mail to create the initial pieces in a series called The Void in Calgary
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-the-void-in-calgary-how-office-towers-emptied-in-a-once-bustling/
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-how-calgary-copes-with-a-record-amount-of-office-space-sitting-empty/

Interviewed in dozens of media pieces, including two front page articles in the Calgary Herald
https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/varcoe-the-dam-is-broken-says-downtown-building-owner-as-vacancy-rate-dips
https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/latest-avison-young-report-shows-optimism-despite-record-high-vacancy-rates-in-calgary

Panel participant and post secondary industry volunteer work
https://www.mtroyal.ca/AboutMountRoyal/MediaRoom/News/2021/11/bounce-back-yyc.htm
https://alberta.uli.org/events/detail/6F0BB52E-E8B0-4776-B93D-B4B0998D6C47/