The VTS team consists of folks with a diverse set of personalities, talents, and perspectives, and we want you to meet them! That’s why we’ve created this #WeAreVTS blog series to highlight some of the many outstanding people we have at VTS, get a closer look at the dynamic lives they have, and continue to create an environment where each VTSer can be their authentic self.
Without further ado, here's our interview with Gabrielle Dame, Senior Manager of Market Research!
Explaining the Role
In a sentence or two, can you explain what you do here at VTS? "I work as a Senior Research Manager on the VTS Data team. We view real-time, aggregated, and anonymized data from our flagship product — VTS Lease — and analyze how it’s impacting the market.
A lot of this data is forward-looking; we look at the 'top of the funnel' in the leasing process. When tenants enter the first tour stage, we see how they progress in the market. We can see if they favor certain submarkets, which industries are active, and what space sizes they require. We present these findings monthly to our customers to report on shifting trends."
Location and Life
Where are you based right now? "I’m based in the New York City office and live in Jersey City, just outside of Manhattan. We just moved into a new office HQ which has been really exciting!"
From the Ballet Barre to Boardrooms: Gabrielle’s Journey
Can you describe your professional journey and how it led you to VTS?
"In college, I thought I was going to be a dancer — a dance major ready for Broadway! I later decided it was better suited as a passion than a career path, so I pivoted to study finance. I took some real estate classes and fell in love with Commercial Real Estate (CRE).
My first job was in research with Cushman & Wakefield in NYC, focusing on Brooklyn office spaces. I then moved into investment sales, eventually leading me to JLL. After some time there, I wanted to return to the research side. VTS was the perfect fit; it combined my research and analysis skills with my sales experience, allowing me to help clients unlock the power of market data."
The Future of VTS Data
What excites you about what you do at VTS? Is there a moment that made you especially proud?
"The VTS Data team feels like a startup environment. I was the third employee on the team and have seen it grow from just 10 initial graphs to a robust analysis platform.
What’s especially exciting is that we're just scratching the surface. Our goal is to pull in data from the rest of our platform — namely VTS Activate — to surface trends in ways that have never been done before. I get proud when clients realize the full value of these insights, whether it helps them secure funding for a building or drive a major acquisition. Being able to influence how owners make decisions is incredibly exciting."
Life in the Big City and Beyond
What was your dream job growing up? "I wanted to be a dancer — either a ballerina or a backup dancer for Britney Spears. In another life, I’d love to be a dentist; I actually love going to the dentist!"
What do you like to do in your free time? "I still dance occasionally, taking ballet or salsa classes. I love being active, trying new restaurants (especially sushi omakase), and traveling to Florida to visit my extended family for a change of scenery."
If you could wave a magic wand to solve any problem in the world, what would it be? "Peace. People can have differing opinions, but it shouldn’t result in major conflicts. I’d also love to see people maintain a sense of humor and learn to let the little things go!"
Advice for Future Leaders
What’s your advice for someone who wants to be in a role similar to yours?
Say "Yes" to Opportunity
"Always say 'Yes' to professional opportunities, even if they aren't exactly what you want to do. When I was starting out, I took a research role even though I wanted to be in investment sales. That 'yes' got my foot in the door and gave me the foundational knowledge that led me to VTS.
Another example was stepping in for a senior leader to run a major sales meeting with our co-founder. I had never done that alone, but I prepared, presented well, and we gained a new client! If I had closed myself off, I would have missed those valuable experiences."
FAQs
1. How is VTS Data different from traditional market research?
While traditional research often looks at "lagging" indicators (what already happened), VTS Data focuses on "forward-looking" metrics. By analyzing real-time tour activity from VTS Lease, Gabrielle’s team can predict market shifts months before they show up in standard reports.
2. What are "top of the funnel" leasing insights?
These insights track the very beginning of a tenant's search—specifically the "first tour" stage. This allows VTS to see which submarkets and industries are gaining momentum before a single lease is even drafted.
3. How does VTS Data influence property acquisitions?
By using aggregated, anonymized data, investors can gain conviction in a submarket's health. Gabrielle helps clients use this data to substantiate decisions for securing funding, refinancing, or making high-stakes acquisition and disposition moves.
