Keynote Speaker Bio - CAS - AM - Jordan

College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Address, Morning

Joy Jordan

(BA '08) • Founder, Fortem Voluntas  

Joy Jordan is a commercial real estate executive, founder, and investor with more than 18 years of experience across office development, leasing, capital markets, and urban redevelopment. She has built her career revitalizing underperforming and transitional assets through disciplined underwriting, strategic design, and long-term value creation. 
 
In 2022, Jordan founded Fortem Voluntas LLC, a Chicago-based real estate investment platform focused on acquiring and repositioning high-potential urban assets with an emphasis on energy efficiency, sustainability, and responsible capital stewardship. The firm prioritizes strong fundamentals and durable investment strategies over rapid deal volume, reflecting Jordan’s experience navigating multiple real estate cycles. 
 
Previously, she served as Executive Vice President at Sterling Bay, where she oversaw leasing strategy across a national development portfolio exceeding 12 million square feet, including projects in Chicago’s Fulton Market and Lincoln Yards, as well as 545 WYN in Miami and 301 N. Crowdus in Dallas. 
 
Earlier in her career, Jordan was Senior Vice President at The Telos Group LLC, where she helped grow the firm from approximately 2 million to more than 25 million square feet under management. During this time, she led leasing and branding efforts for several iconic Chicago properties, including Willis Tower (Blackstone), 24 E. Washington (Brookfield), and 70 W. Madison (GEM Capital). 
 
Jordan began her career at US Equities (now CBRE), contributing to the post-financial-crisis repositioning of Willis Tower, including an 830,000-square-foot lease with United Airlines. Over the course of her career, she has completed more than 365 transactions totaling over $2.7 billion. 
 
Her leadership has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business, which named her to 40 Under 40 (2019) and 20 in Their 20s (2015). She was also named Chicago Office Power Broker of the Year in 2017 and 2018, and Office Representative of the Year by the Greater Chicago Food Depository in 2012, 2013, and 2018, and is a graduate of the Crain’s Leadership Academy. 
 
Jordan holds a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University Chicago, serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Sciences, and was born and raised in France before moving to the United States, bringing a global and cross-cultural perspective to leadership, investment, and urban development.