The commercial real estate landscape is witnessing a significant realignment of talent as JLL announces the strategic return of Allison Buck and the appointment of Ella Berckmans to its specialized nonprofit, education, and government practice. This move, effective as of the first week of April 2026, signals a concerted effort by the global brokerage firm to fortify its advisory capabilities in sectors that require highly nuanced, mission-aligned real estate strategies. Buck, who assumes the role of Managing Director, returns to JLL after a high-profile five-year tenure at Savills, bringing with her a wealth of experience in transactional advisory and tenant representation. Joining her is Berckmans, a former Savills associate who steps into the role of Senior Associate at JLL, tasked with driving business development and enhancing client service initiatives within the same specialized group.
The recruitment of Buck and Berckmans represents more than just a standard personnel acquisition; it is a "boomerang" hire that underscores the cyclical and relationship-driven nature of the New York commercial real estate market. Buck’s return to the firm she departed in 2021 suggests a alignment of professional values and a strategic opportunity to lead a practice that has become increasingly vital in a volatile economic environment. Working alongside David Carlos, the head of JLL’s nonprofit, education, and government practice, Buck and Berckmans are expected to provide a robust framework for organizations that operate outside the traditional corporate profit-and-loss model.
A Strategic Return to Mission-Driven Real Estate
Allison Buck’s professional trajectory over the last half-decade has been defined by a deep dive into the complexities of tenant representation. During her five years and four months at Savills, she navigated a period of intense market transformation, holding the title of Assistant Director from 2021 to 2024 before being elevated to Managing Director in early 2024. Her work at Savills was characterized by a focus on transactional advisory, helping diverse clients manage the shifting demands of the post-pandemic office market.
In returning to JLL, Buck expressed a renewed commitment to the firm’s "client-first approach," specifically noting how JLL’s sector expertise mirrors her own professional passion for serving mission-driven organizations. This sector—comprising universities, charitable foundations, healthcare systems, and municipal entities—requires a different set of metrics than the standard commercial lease. For these clients, real estate is often the second-largest expense after payroll, and the strategic management of these assets is directly tied to their ability to fulfill their organizational mandates.
Buck’s role will not be limited strictly to the nonprofit sector. In her official statement, she clarified that while her primary focus will be within the nonprofit, education, and government practice, she will continue to serve a broad spectrum of clients across multiple industries. This cross-sector flexibility allows JLL to apply the rigorous, cost-saving strategies often required by nonprofits to its broader corporate client base, optimizing real estate portfolios to advance various organizational missions.
Strengthening the Advisory Bench with Ella Berckmans
The move from Savills to JLL was a coordinated transition, as Ella Berckmans also joined the firm on Monday. Berckmans had been with Savills since 2023, where she worked closely with Buck as a broker. Her transition to JLL as a Senior Associate is designed to provide the "boots on the ground" support necessary for aggressive business development. In the specialized world of nonprofit real estate, business development often involves long-term relationship building and navigating the complex internal hierarchies of boards of directors and government agencies.
David Carlos, head of the practice, emphasized that the addition of both Buck and Berckmans would "meaningfully strengthen" the firm’s ability to serve regional partners. Carlos highlighted Buck’s "rare combination of transaction experience and tenant-focused strategy," while noting that Berckmans’ background in client service would expand the team’s capacity to deliver best-in-class outcomes. This expansion comes at a time when nonprofits are increasingly looking to monetize their real estate assets or find more efficient ways to utilize existing space in a market where hybrid work models have become the norm.
Contextualizing the Hires within JLL’s Leadership Evolution
The arrival of Buck and Berckmans is the latest in a series of high-level leadership changes at JLL, reflecting a broader reorganization of the firm’s New York and Americas operations. Just last month, JLL announced the promotion of Patrick Murphy from Vice Chairman to Head of New York Brokerage. Murphy’s new mandate includes leading corporate brokerage and consulting services, providing a stabilized leadership structure for the firm’s regional efforts.
This stabilization was particularly necessary following a period of executive turnover. In early February 2026, Michael Colacino resigned from his position as CEO of JLL’s Americas leasing advisory business. Colacino’s departure was notable for its timing, occurring only a few weeks after he had accepted the role. While the firm has not publicly detailed the specific reasons for the rapid resignation, the subsequent promotion of Murphy and the strategic hiring of specialists like Buck suggest that JLL is doubling down on its core advisory strengths and sector-specific expertise to maintain its market position.
The Significance of the Nonprofit and Education Sector
The nonprofit, education, and government sectors represent a resilient segment of the commercial real estate market. Unlike the volatile tech or finance sectors, these organizations tend to be long-term occupiers with a vested interest in remaining within specific urban footprints to serve their constituencies. However, they face unique challenges, including:
- Tax-Exempt Status and Financing: Real estate transactions for nonprofits often involve complex tax considerations, such as 501(c)(3) bond financing or property tax exemptions that must be meticulously maintained through specific lease structures.
- Board Governance: Decisions regarding real estate are rarely made by a single executive. They often require the consensus of a board of trustees, requiring brokers who can navigate multi-stakeholder environments.
- Zoning and Specialized Facilities: Educational and government entities often require specialized zoning (such as Use Group 3 or 4 in New York City) and facilities ranging from laboratories to secure data centers.
- Public Scrutiny: Government and nonprofit entities are subject to public and donor scrutiny regarding their spending, making "best-in-class" advisory essential to ensure transparency and fiscal responsibility.
By bringing in a team that already has a proven track record of working together at Savills, JLL is positioning itself to capture a larger share of this niche but lucrative market. The synergy between Buck and Berckmans allows for a seamless transition, ensuring that ongoing client projects do not lose momentum during the move.
Market Analysis: The "Boomerang" Trend and Competitive Dynamics
The return of Allison Buck to JLL highlights a growing trend in the commercial real estate industry: the "boomerang" employee. In an industry where personal networks and internal culture are paramount, firms are increasingly open to welcoming back former stars who have gained additional experience at rival organizations. Buck’s five-year stint at Savills provided her with a perspective on a different firm’s methodology and client base, which she now brings back to JLL.
Furthermore, this move represents a competitive blow to Savills, a firm that prides itself on its "tenant-only" representation model. Losing a Managing Director and a Senior Associate to a global giant like JLL indicates the intense battle for talent currently taking place in the New York market. For JLL, the move reinforces its "all-in-one" platform, offering the specialized touch of a boutique advisory within the framework of a global powerhouse with massive resources in research, property management, and capital markets.
Chronology of Recent Events
- 2021: Allison Buck exits JLL to join Savills as an Assistant Director.
- 2023: Ella Berckmans joins Savills, beginning a professional partnership with Buck.
- Early 2024: Allison Buck is promoted to Managing Director at Savills.
- February 2026: Michael Colacino resigns as CEO of JLL Americas leasing advisory after a brief tenure.
- March 2026: JLL promotes Patrick Murphy to Head of New York Brokerage.
- April 6, 2026: Allison Buck and Ella Berckmans officially start at JLL, marking Buck’s return to the firm.
Implications for the Future of JLL’s Specialized Practices
As JLL continues to navigate the complexities of the 2026 real estate market, the focus on specialized practices like nonprofit, education, and government advisory is likely to expand. The firm is betting that deep-sector expertise will be the primary differentiator in an era where generic brokerage services are increasingly commoditized.
For the nonprofit community in the tri-state area, the return of Buck to JLL’s platform offers access to a broader range of tools—from sophisticated data analytics to global capital markets insights—while maintaining the personalized advisory relationship they developed during her time at Savills. For JLL, the successful reintegration of Buck and the addition of Berckmans serves as a testament to the firm’s culture and its ability to attract and retain top-tier talent in a competitive environment.
The industry will be watching closely to see how this team, under the guidance of David Carlos, influences upcoming major transactions for the city’s largest institutions. With the New York office market still searching for a new equilibrium, the expertise provided by this expanded team will be critical in helping mission-driven organizations find their place in a changing urban landscape.
