Get to Know Forte: Five Questions with Ericka Miller

1. What first got you interested in real estate?

Like many in our industry, I sort of stumbled into real estate. Growing up, I was only familiar with residential real estate—who thought about commercial buildings, their operations, and their importance?

After college, I initially aimed to become an attorney and worked as a paralegal in a law firm’s real estate and probate groups. I vividly remember a lunch with one of the attorneys and a commercial broker; what the broker did sounded so exciting. It soon became clear that the legal side wasn’t for me, but this experience sparked my love for real estate.

2. What is unique about your career in commercial real estate?

My journey in commercial real estate has been quite untraditional, and I’ve been fortunate to work on many sides of a deal. I began as a paralegal at Doherty, Rumble & Butler, then moved to the lending side with a certified development company, Amplio, formerly known as SPEDCO. From there, I transitioned to Welsh Companies as a financial analyst and, within a couple of years, was hired as a developer for Opus, where I worked on residential condominium, lifestyle center, and large office developments.  During my tenure, they encouraged me to enter the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) certificate program which I completed in 2006 with my CCIM designation.  

After five years, I shifted to corporate real estate at Ameriprise, overseeing real estate requirements for corporate-owned advisor offices across the western United States. My next role was at Johnson Controls Global Workplace Solutions, where I worked on global corporate real estate, providing outsourcing solutions for both prospective and existing clients, covering all aspects of their real estate needs from facilities and project management to transactions and lease administration.

Following many years with large companies, I joined a wonderful smaller company, KimbleCo, focusing on local advisory work, brokerage, and project management. I then worked with Alatus, a multi-family developer, on local multi-phased, multi-family developments in the Twin Cities. Today, at Forte Real Estate Partners, I have the pleasure of collaborating with a great group of advisors, drawing on my varied experiences to provide insightful advice on transactions.

3. What role has sports played in your life?  How has that supported your career?

Sports and hobbies have always been integral to my life. I thrive on movement and enjoy being around others, learning from them, laughing with them, and supporting them. Sports have taught me the value of teamwork, recognizing that you aren’t always the best and that it’s important to lean into the strengths of others.

In high school, I was a runner. While it may seem like an individual sport, it truly wasn’t. Our coach excelled at guiding our team to regionals, sectionals, and state by setting small, incremental individual goals for each meet. This experience taught me strategy at an early age and how thinking two steps ahead can make the difference between being average and being great.

These days, I am more of a walker and hiker. Being outdoors and immersed in nature helps me think more clearly and supports my overall health, which in turn enhances my performance in all aspects of life.

4. If you weren’t in commercial real estate, what would you be doing?

If I weren’t in commercial real estate, I would be working with animals. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian and living on a farm filled with as many dogs and other animals as I could care for. My love for animals, especially dogs, is unwavering—we have two at home. However, I realized that being a veterinarian required more than just a passion for animals, and ultimately, it wasn’t the right path for me. Perhaps in a future chapter, I will find a way to volunteer with animals and fulfill that early dream.

5. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career?

The most valuable lessons I’ve learned are to have integrity and treat people with respect. Doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, is critical to success and overall well-being. Treating people with respect usually earns their respect in return—it’s a two-way street.  I feel fortunate to work in a market where so many people in our industry uphold high integrity. This environment makes going to work every day enjoyable and fosters a keen understanding that solutions can be found to create win-win situations. People make mistakes, and it’s one of the best ways to learn. How you handle and own up to your mistakes makes all the difference in outcomes.

Discover more about Ericka Miller‘s expertise in Office and Healthcare Real Estate Advisory services.