At MarshallZehr, we love to share the incredible work our employees do behind the scenes and showcase the diverse opportunities available for career growth and development. Next in our Employee Spotlight series, we are excited to feature Brenner Smith!

Having joined us as an Analyst, Real Estate Debt in 2021, Brenner’s outstanding performance earned him a well-deserved promotion to Account Manager.

In his current role, he drives business syndication, provides direction on new deal execution and models and presents financing proposals. Brenner skillfully manages client and stakeholder relationships from origination to syndication while harnessing his skills to scale and grow the business.

Brenner has also made a meaningful impact on the community by mentoring and coaching students, to help them define their career paths; further exemplifying our commitment to empowering the next generation of professionals.

What makes MarshallZehr a rewarding place to work? Find out what Brenner has to say about his journey at MZ.

“We contribute to adding housing inventory to a market that desperately needs it. Every project funded means more homes.”

When did you join MarshallZehr and what excited you about the company?

I joined MarshallZehr (MZ) as an Analyst on the Real Estate Debt team, in July of 2021. Joining MZ allowed me to leverage my existing knowledge in investments and strategy while expanding my expertise in an industry that I’m passionate about. I’ve always had a personal interest in real estate, and it was important for me to bridge my personal interests with my career. Working in the debt space gave me this opportunity while offering exposure to a high volume of transactions and top-quality underwriting.

I sought out MZ because of the company’s great reputation in the industry, its quickly growing book of business, and ultimately, the impressive team that they had assembled.

Can you describe your career progression at MarshallZehr?

When I joined MZ, I knew I eventually wanted to move into a Business Development role. After spending 18 months in the analyst role, I gained a solid foundation for MZ’s approach to underwriting for land development and construction. The role was intensive, rewarding, and crucial in preparing me for my current position.

In January 2023, I was promoted to Account Manager working on our business development team and I couldn’t be happier. I now get to work with new and existing developers to identify smart capital opportunities.

What is your favourite part about working at MarshallZehr?

I have three!

First, the positive impact of what we do. We contribute to adding housing inventory to a market that desperately needs it. Every project funded means more homes.

Second, the quality of our work. At MZ, our hands-on approach grants us access to a great balance of conventional and non-conventional opportunities. No two transactions are the same, keeping the job exciting and engaging. Additionally, the developers we collaborate with are driven and ambitious, which adds another layer of fulfillment.

Lastly, the people and culture here at MZ is unparalleled. It’s a great feeling to be part of a 50-person organization with such a high concentration of talent. Our faculty is collaborative, motivated, and smart. It helps too, that we have a ton of fun; BBQ’s, parties, socials, we do it all!

What does your day look like in your current role?

As an Account Manager, every day is different. I am responsible for supporting my team and existing clients, originating new business opportunities with high-potential developers, structuring capital solutions, and delivering them smoothly. Being effective in my role also means staying up to date on the market and development activity; so, market research is always on the docket.

What advice would you give to someone interested in coming to work at MarshallZehr?

My advice to anyone considering joining MarshallZehr is to reach out, engage with our team, and seize the opportunity to learn and grow! The environment is friendly and welcoming, and everyone is always eager to share their insights. Hard work and dedication are highly valued, so if you are willing to go the extra mile, you will be rewarded.

If you have a passion for real estate and a desire to learn about investing in this industry, there is no better place than MarshallZehr. You will be immersed in a dynamic environment where you can grow your career and gain valuable insights into the world of real estate investment.

Learn more about career opportunities at MarshallZehr on our careers page.

About MarshallZehr Group

MarshallZehr Group provides customized construction and development financial solutions for high-performing real estate developers. With more than $3.9B of fundings over 370+ projects, MarshallZehr has become one of Canada’s most trusted real estate capital partners. We add value beyond capital – our team’s decades of experience help deliver the strategic insight and vision necessary to craft tailored financial solutions, all backed by our industry recognized mortgage administration services.