-1.png?width=250&height=23&name=Navy%20(500%20png)-1.png){kind=small}
-1.png?width=1574&height=714&name=Interview%20Blog%20Header%20(13)-1.png)
Local Office Space
Office Space
Market Insight
TenantBase · Partner Broker Highlight
Kathy Gigac, Managing Director & Tenant Representative at Avison Young
Raleigh–Durham, NC · TenantBase Team
▶ Instagram Clip ▶ LinkedIn Clip
Managing Director & Tenant Representative. Raleigh–Durham market. SIOR designation. TenantBase partner for 3+ years.
An accidental start — and the relationships that followed
Kathy didn't plan for a career in commercial real estate. She studied nursing, relocated to North Carolina with her husband, and landed a role with the board of realtors — eventually becoming executive officer for the commercial association across 14 counties.
"The cool part was, I got to know everyone in the business — and I've known them for a really long time."
Those early years gave her a deep understanding of how the industry worked and built a network of relationships that still shape her practice today.
From marketing to brokerage: figuring it out fast
After five years running the association, a firm owner invited Kathy to build his company's first marketing department from scratch — then write her own job description.
"Do I have a degree in marketing? Nope. But I figured it out fast."
While running marketing, she noticed a gap in the brokerage side of the office and quietly earned her real estate license. When several brokers left, the opportunity opened up — and she took it, balancing marketing responsibilities while building her pipeline from the ground up.
The turning point: committing to tenant representation
In 2010, a single conference session changed the direction of her career entirely.
"I was listening to brokers talk about their multi-city assignments across the country. I decided right then — that's what I want to do. I'm switching to tenant representation."
She phased out landlord work and focused entirely on occupier clients. Around that time, she built the small, tight-knit team she still works with today — going after companies with multiple locations as their core focus. That focus on multi-location occupiers has defined Trilogy's positioning ever since.
Building client partnerships that last
Kathy's success is grounded in long-term partnership and process. Her team developed a cloud-based dashboard to manage leases, critical dates, and renewals — what started as an internal tool evolved into a client-facing platform that deepens trust and retention.
"We wanted to be a partner, not a replacement. That's how we win business. It's about trust, and that takes time — sometimes 12 to 18 months of conversations."
That same philosophy drives how she approaches TenantBase — using the platform to connect her team to real tenant opportunities faster and help newer brokers get active in the market sooner.
Mentorship and advice for new brokers
Kathy is actively mentoring several new brokers at Avison Young and is consistent in what she tells them: don't pick a specialty on day one. Spend time learning from different people, find what resonates, and build from there.
"If you're doing something you love and you're consistent about it, the money comes. But you have to show up, learn, and listen."
Her other piece of advice is disarmingly simple: listen more than you talk. It's how you understand what a client actually needs — and how you earn the trust to serve them long-term.
📱 Featured Clip — Instagram & LinkedIn
Kathy on the Leadership That Makes a Lasting Impact
The insight she shares with newer brokers is a real look at the kind of leadership that makes a lasting impact — grounded in consistency, curiosity, and genuine care for the people she mentors.
▶ Watch on Instagram ▶ Watch on LinkedInThe Raleigh–Durham market today
Kathy remains optimistic about conditions across the Triangle. Industrial and retail are both performing well, and smaller office transactions are still moving — particularly in environments where employees genuinely want to be.
"Companies are willing to pay a little more to be in places where their people actually want to come to work — those live–work–play environments."
She's also tracking growth opportunities in life sciences and flex spaces as new manufacturing incentives take shape across the region. For tenants exploring office space in Raleigh–Durham, the market rewards preparation and local expertise in equal measure.
What it's like working with TenantBase
Kathy has used TenantBase strategically — not just to source new business, but to accelerate her team's development. The platform connects newer brokers to real tenant opportunities faster, giving them deal experience they'd otherwise wait years to accumulate.
"I've used TenantBase to help our newer brokers get fed sooner. It's been a real benefit for our office — connecting our team to real tenant opportunities faster."
"We're lucky to do what we do. Helping companies grow and watching their success — that's the best part."
A continued partnership
Our thanks to Kathy Gigac at Avison Young for her continued partnership with TenantBase. From her accidental start to leading one of the Carolinas' most respected tenant-rep teams, Kathy's career is proof that consistency, creativity, and genuine partnership still win.
For more perspectives on tenant-focused brokerage, read our Partner Broker Highlight with Matthew Bustamante or Angela Fontes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a tenant representation broker do?
A tenant representation broker exclusively represents tenants in commercial real estate transactions — helping them find space, evaluate options, negotiate lease terms, and secure favorable outcomes without landlord-side conflicts of interest.
Why use a tenant-rep broker in Raleigh–Durham?
A Raleigh–Durham tenant-rep broker brings deep local market knowledge, established relationships with landlords and listing brokers across the Triangle, and insight into emerging submarkets — helping tenants navigate one of the Southeast's most active and fastest-growing commercial real estate markets.
What types of tenants does Avison Young's tenant-rep team work with?
Kathy's team at Avison Young specializes in occupier clients with multiple locations — companies with 50 to 300+ locations across the country that need coordinated, consistent representation in markets like Raleigh–Durham and across the Carolinas.
Is the Raleigh–Durham commercial real estate market strong right now?
Yes. Industrial and retail remain strong, and small office transactions under 15,000 SF continue to move — particularly in live–work–play environments where employee experience drives location decisions. Life sciences and flex space are also emerging as growth areas as new manufacturing incentives take hold across the region.
How long does it take to build a tenant-rep brokerage practice?
Most experienced tenant-rep brokers point to year three as the turning point. The early years require patience, market immersion, and consistent prospecting before deal flow becomes self-sustaining. Working within a team or joining a platform like TenantBase can accelerate that timeline significantly.
How does TenantBase support tenant-rep brokers?
TenantBase connects qualified inbound tenant demand with trusted local tenant-rep brokers so brokers can focus on service, advocacy, and deal execution — while tenants get a faster path to the right space.
▶ Instagram Clip ▶ LinkedIn Clip
Follow TenantBase for more Partner Broker Highlights and commercial real estate insights.
© TenantBase. For informational purposes only. This blog does not constitute financial, investment, brokerage, legal, tax, or professional advice. Content is from public/third-party sources via AI. We cannot guarantee accuracy or timeliness. Consult qualified professionals before decisions. We disclaim liability from reliance on this information.
%20copy.png?width=1574&height=714&name=Interview%20Blog%20Header%20(13)%20copy.png)