Keri Scott is the Senior Vice President at Colliers, a leading global real estate services firm, where she excels in project leasing, building sales, and tenant representation for industrial and office properties. Since beginning her career in 2008, Keri has managed over 1.2 million square feet of properties and represents high-profile national and local tenants.
Keri Scott | Senior Vice President | Colliers
Her focus includes mid-bay industrial and flex office parks, single- and multi-tenant industrial spaces, and 4.5 million square feet of planned ground-up developments. Her journey in the real estate industry has been marked by significant achievements and a deep commitment to the field. At EliteX, we are proud to have Keri Scott as part of 10 Elite Leaders in Real Estate, 2024.
Keri is known for her client-centric approach, prioritizing her clients’ interests and fostering collaboration between landlords and tenants to achieve successful negotiations. With her extensive experience in site selection, market research, valuation, and financial analysis, Keri crafts tailored real estate solutions for each client. Her reputation for reliability, integrity, and deep market knowledge helps her build long-term relationships and earn referral confidence. Her commitment to exceeding expectations is reflected in her strong work ethic and fiduciary responsibility. Keri acts as an extension of her clients’ teams, guiding them through the real estate process with expertise that spans both local owners and institutional REITs.
“No opportunity is too small; they all contribute to our success.”
Keri holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Arizona and a Salesperson’s License from the Arizona Department of Real Estate. She is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the Society of Industrial & Office Realtors® (SIOR), the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, Valley Partnership, the Colliers | Arizona Leadership Council, and CRENAB (Commercial Real Estate Network & Beer). Her professional accomplishments include being named #10 of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Real Estate by Women We Admire in 2024, recognition in the Colliers Everest Club in 2023, and receiving the Women of Influence Award from GlobeSt. in 2022-2023. She has also been listed as a “Person to Know in Commercial Real Estate” by AZ Big Media in 2023 and featured as one of the “Most Influential Women in CRE” in 2021.
Before joining Colliers, Keri served as an Associate with Cushman & Wakefield and held various roles, including Senior Real Estate Manager and a member of CBRE’s Asset Management group.
Keri is actively involved in the community through the Junior League of Phoenix. Her representative clients and projects include BigTex Trailers, Dyson, FM Industries, Dent Wizard, nVent, Pentair, Nicola Wealth Real Estate, Standard Aero, and Stockbridge Capital Group.
Keri’s entry into real estate was somewhat serendipitous. After starting in property management, she transitioned into a broker role in 2014 with Cushman & Wakefield. Her impressive performance earned her the Rookie Broker of the Year award. She continued to build on her success and joined Colliers in 2018, where she has since expanded her business and now leads a full team. Despite having no initial plans to enter real estate, Keri’s career was shaped by chance encounters with customers who recognized her potential. This opportunity led her to a position at CBRE, and from there, her passion for real estate grew, and she has remained dedicated to the industry ever since. To stay current with the fast-evolving real estate landscape, Keri relies on a mix of networking, continuous learning, and active engagement. She attends industry events, meets with lenders and other key players, and maintains a close connection with decision-makers to understand the factors influencing their choices.
“Technology helps but direct validation is still crucial.”
Keri’s approach to identifying new opportunities involves a keen eye for even the smallest potential deals. She believes that many significant transactions start small and looks for properties that can be repurposed or converted, especially in congested markets where land is scarce. When it comes to risk management, Keri emphasizes the importance of mitigating potential downsides. She advises clients by providing “best case/worst case” scenarios to prepare for market fluctuations and ensures thorough validation of costs and contractor proposals before any purchase. Technology plays a dual role in Keri’s real estate operations. While it provides quick access to information, she stresses the importance of validating this data through independent research. Despite the advances in technology, Keri finds that direct, personal validation remains crucial for accuracy.
Keri Scott’s career reflects a blend of serendipity, dedication, and adaptability, underscoring her role as a prominent figure in the real estate industry. Keri Scott’s leadership style sets her apart in the real estate industry. Known for her dedication to mentoring young talent, Keri takes pride in teaching and nurturing new brokers. She understands the importance of each team member’s personal and professional goals, and she works hard to help them succeed. Despite the demanding nature of her role, she makes it a point to foster a fun and respectful work environment. Keri values her team as much as her family, and her approach combines mentorship with genuine friendship.
When making investment decisions, Keri follows a structured approach to ensure she is making informed choices. She asks herself five key questions: Is the price comparable to other properties? Are the rental incomes feasible? Are the projections realistic? Would she personally invest in it? And is there potential for future development or change? This methodical process helps her evaluate opportunities thoroughly. Sustainability and environmental responsibility are important, but Keri’s approach is guided by her clients’ needs. While she offers resources for sustainable practices when required, she remains flexible and non-judgmental, focusing on what best serves her clients’ business objectives.
“Start with a job, work hard, and expect it to be a 24/7 commitment.”
For those aspiring to make a mark in real estate, Keri’s advice is straightforward: start by securing a job and work hard. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance and commitment, acknowledging that initial years might be financially challenging but will eventually lead to success. She warns against expecting an easy path, highlighting that real estate requires dedication around the clock.
Balancing short-term gains with long-term goals is a key aspect of Keri’s strategy. She ensures that no opportunity is overlooked, as smaller deals help cover immediate expenses while larger, long-term projects are pursued alongside. This balanced approach creates a self-sustaining ecosystem, driven by consistency and a focus on maintaining a robust pipeline. Looking ahead, Keri’s aspirations are deeply personal. She hopes to continue watching her children grow and thrive while achieving success in her real estate career. Her vision for the future is as much about personal fulfillment as it is about professional accomplishment. Keri Scott’s journey and approach reflect a blend of leadership, strategic thinking, and personal commitment, making her a standout figure in the real estate world.