Chicago Office

Susan Tjarksen co-founded KIG CRE in 2015, which was acquired by Cushman & Wakefield in 2018.  With more than 30 years of real estate experience working with both private and public investment institutions throughout the country.

Prior to brokerage, Susan was a leader in apartment and mixed-use development, having planned, built, designed, financed and delivered projects totaling more than $3.5 billion in revenue.  She has also successfully developed and sold 12,000 residential units, 2,500 hotel rooms and more than 2M square feet of retail and office space.

Susan is a member of the Forbes Real Estate Council, Roosevelt University’s MBIRE Advisory Board and the Lincoln Park Builders Club of Chicago.  Susan holds a Bachelor of Finance from The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and completed her Masters work in finance as a Rotary International Fellow at Essex University, Colchester, England.

Todd Stofflet joined Cushman & Wakefield when KIG CRE was acquired in 2018.  He has more than 20 years of experience in brokering and owning multifamily assets.  Todd has negotiated the sale of more than $2.5 billion of assets for the most prominent institutional owners in the industry.  In addition to his Midwest expertise, Todd has established himself as one of Chicago’s top performers, with more than $1 billion in sales.

Todd is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and The John E. Dolibois European Center in Luxembourg.  Todd is a member of the Forbes Real Estate Council, National Multifamily Housing Council and ULI.

Jason Stevens joined Cushman & Wakefield when KIG CRE was acquired in 2018.  He has more than ten years of experience in both residential and multifamily real estate executing in excess of $1 billion in sales.  His diverse background has fostered an intimate understanding of asset approval and marketability.  Prior to joining KIG CRE, Jason achieved success with multifamily developers and top tier management firms in both market-rate and affordable communities in Chicago and Michigan.

Jason is a graduate of Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan and is a member of National Multifamily Housing Council.

Brenda Cuellar joined Cushman & Wakefield when KIG CRE was acquired in 2018.  Brenda has curated a comprehensive knowledge of operations, receivership, property management and asset management across multiple asset types.  Prior to joining KIG CRE, Brenda was a legal assistant with Berger, Newmark & Fenchel P.C.  Brenda provides technical support, maintains records and manages daily operations.

Brenda graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and completed her Applied Science Degree as a paralegal at Robert Morris College.

Laura Ballou joined Cushman & Wakefield when KIG CRE was acquired in 2018.  She brings seven years of multifamily experience to her role.  Laura contributes market-differentiating nuance to client assignments.  Prior to KIG CRE, Laura was a project manager at HA Langer and Associates, specializing in the rehabilitation of vintage high-rise buildings.  Laura also became adept at deciphering market trends as a leasing associate for a boutique brokerage firm.

Laura graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance with a specialty in Real Estate.

Jacob Albers joined Cushman & Wakefield when KIG CRE was acquired in 2018.  He converts data into actionable insights through skilled analysis.  With a focus in data visualization, Jacob employs a variety of tools to provide a clear, accurate vision of the market and where it is going.  Previously, Jacob interned at UChicagoTech – where he evaluated University relationships with industry partners – and the Academic Venture Exchange, where he helped design and test a matching market for University research and experienced entrepreneurs.

Jacob graduated from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

Daniel Falkenberg joined Cushman & Wakefield when KIG CRE was acquired in 2018.  He brings years of multifamily underwriting expertise to his role.  Daniel supports the sale’s team and contributes market-leading work for client assignments.  Prior to KIG CRE, Daniel was a Financial Analyst at ARA Newmark, specializing in institutional grade multifamily assets.

Daniel graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in Finance and Economics.

Caleb Zielke joined Cushman & Wakefield when KIG CRE was acquired in 2018.  He brings digital and traditional marketing experience to his role.  Prior to joining the team Caleb worked with residential real estate brokers, helping them leverage social media advertising as well as print marketing materials to promote and sell listings.

Caleb graduated from Roosevelt University in Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.