A culture you can feel: New SVP Ani Paulson on what drew her to Northmarq

When Ani Paulson walked into Northmarq for the first time, she immediately felt something different. The atmosphere wasn’t about hierarchy or competition; it was about connection. “There’s something about the culture, rooted in Midwest humility and collaboration, that makes you want to be part of it,” she said.  

Paulson joined Northmarq in September 2025 after years of leading a top-producing investment sales team at a national competitor. What stood out to her most wasn’t just the firm’s performance or platform — it was the people behind it. 

For Paulson, one of the biggest differences has been the leadership team itself. 

“The management here is exceptional,” she said. “They truly cherish their agents, invest in us, invest in technology, and they’re fully committed to helping brokers succeed. You can feel support in every interaction. Everyone has a positive attitude, and leadership is here to lift us up, not to compete with us or make our jobs harder. It’s a refreshing change to work with people who lead with respect, not ego.” 

That commitment, she said, reinforces the culture that first drew her in. “People truly care about each other and each other’s success, and that creates a healthier environment from top to bottom,” she said. “It’s not just a culture that people talk about. You really feel that culture day in and day out.” 

That authenticity was even more evident when Paulson attended a recent companywide leadership event, where collaboration wasn’t forced or staged — it flowed naturally. “The way people listened and supported one another showed that the culture isn’t just words on a wall,” she said. “It’s real — and you can feel it. People want to be here." 

For Paulson, this environment directly impacts clients. “Clients can see and feel that energy,” she said. “It’s a culture where people genuinely care about each other, and ultimately, that shows up in the way we serve our clients.” 

Her arrival also reflects Northmarq’s growing momentum in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, where the firm is expanding its investment sales and financing capabilities. Paulson and her team bring deep expertise in office, retail, and industrial assets, adding to the firm’s growing regional presence. 

She said Northmarq’s privately held structure makes a difference. Without the pressures of quarterly earnings or external shareholders, collaboration isn’t event-driven, it’s embedded in how teams work. “There’s consistency here,” she said. “People aren’t competing internally; they’re working together to create better outcomes.” 

For Northmarq, stories like Paulson’s reaffirm what many already know: culture isn’t a tagline but a competitive advantage.