Ken Ashley: The Executive Mindset Behind Top Brokers

Welcome to this episode of The Tori Nook Talk Show! In this episode, Tori sits down with Ken Ashley, Executive Director and senior leader at Cushman & Wakefield, founder of CREI Summit, and author of the upcoming book The Real Estate Prescription (launching March 10). With nearly three decades advising CRE companies and executives, Ken breaks down how commercial real estate really works at the highest level, and why the best brokers don’t just “do deals” but help businesses perform better.

They talk about leadership, marriage, money, resilience, and what it takes to build a career with both impact and longevity. Ken shares how obstacles like the 2009 GFC reshaped his mindset, why “close the door and make the calls” still matters, and how CREI Summit became a major community for digital strategy and personal branding in the CRE world.

Topics covered:

• Real estate and tools for business performance, not “sticks and bricks”
• The 80/20 principle and focusing on high-impact work
• The mindset behind CREI Summit and building a real community
• AI, decision speed, and modern risk in the workplace
• Resilience, lumpy cash flow, and lessons from 2009
• Servant leadership, civic rent, and the power of recognition
• Marriage, family, joy at home, and staying present
• Wealth habits, paying yourself first, and building long-term stability

Whether you’re a broker, a student exploring CRE, or a professional looking to sharpen your edge, this episode is loaded with practical frameworks and real perspective.