September 2026 Member Spotlight: Susan Gwin Burks

Meet Susan Gwin Burks, CRE, Senior Vice President at Avison Young and a longtime leader in the North Texas commercial real estate community. Susan works alongside clients and teams to strategize, sell, acquire, value, reposition, and finance commercial real estate assets. After beginning her career in sales at IBM, Susan recognized that commercial real estate offered an opportunity where hard work and skill could directly translate into growth. She made the transition into CRE and has since built a career centered on expertise, relationships, and service to the industry.

Susan’s involvement with NTCAR is rooted in a strong belief in giving back to the organizations and communities that have given so much to her throughout her career. Over the years, NTCAR has provided Susan with valuable relationships, educational opportunities, networking, industry resources, and recognition. In return, she has remained deeply engaged through leadership roles, Board of Directors service, and committee work. One of her most meaningful NTCAR experiences has been serving on the Stemmons Service Award Committee in multiple capacities, including event planning, candidate nomination and selection, and sponsorship fundraising. Her favorite NTCAR event is the annual Stemmons Service Award Reception, where we celebrate both established industry leaders and emerging professionals who are recognized by their peers for their contributions to CRE and the community.

For Susan, the people she has met and relationships she has built throughout her career are among the greatest rewards of commercial real estate. She also appreciates having witnessed the incredible growth of the Metroplex and the development of world-class assets and public spaces that continue to shape North Texas. Her advice to those entering the industry is to understand your strengths, find where your interests and talents align, seek out a seasoned mentor, work hard, and stay curious. Outside of work and NTCAR, Susan enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her mostly rescued four-legged companions, working out, and gardening. Through her career and continued service, Susan exemplifies the importance of investing in both the people and the industry that make North Texas CRE such a dynamic community.