October 13th, 2019

Ielen Sarkisian is the President at Strategic Development Advisors (SDA), a boutique development firm located in Pasadena, California. After a successful career at CB Richard Ellis, Ielen cofounded SDA with her colleague Hamo Rostamian. They were responsible for bringing Target to Southern California. Strategic Development Advisors combines brokerage, investment, and development with a focus on the shopping centers, resulting in a multifaceted platform that produces tangible results across the entire real estate industry.  

Mrs. Sarkisian graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising with an emphasis in Store Planning and Design. Her education and upbringing contributed to her most poignant quality: attention to detail. Whether she is designing a drive-through pad or a retail center with over thirty tenants, Ielen demands perfection. This obsession is most obvious during her meetings with potential tenants. As a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Mrs. Sarkisian presents viable sites to a multitude of tenants at the annual conference. She is required to know each tenant profile, including their current sites, location of competitors, and preferences in the development phase. Mrs. Sarkisian’s mastery has granted her firm unprecedented success in Southern California.

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