Focusing on ESG and Profitability with Molly Bordonaro, Managing Partner, The Green Cities Company

Molly Bordonaro, former U.S. Ambassador and Managing Partner of The Green Cities Company, brings a unique perspective to commercial real estate. She talks with host Aaron Strauss about how investing in and developing physical structures are key to supporting community, equality, and our planet.

Highlights include:

  • What it was like to be a woman running for U.S. Congress at age 26.
  • What being a U.S. Ambassador to Malta taught her about America and the world.
  • How to measure ESG impact with a number of metrics that expand beyond just environmental footprint.
  • Why the way we build buildings is vital to our social, environmental, and physical future.

Molly BortdanaroAbout the Guest

Molly Bordonaro is Managing Partner of The Green Cities Company in Portland, Oregon. She oversees investment management, investor relations and asset management. With more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience including transactions, financing, management, leasing, and operations, she also serves on the firm’s Investment Committee.

In 2009, Molly joined The Green Cities Company to help build out the firm’s investment management practice. In 2011, Molly became a partner of the firm.

Previously, Molly was a principal at The Gallatin Group and a co-founding director of an investment fund specializing in the financing of real estate development in low and moderate-income areas. From 2005 to 2009, she served as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Malta, becoming the first American diplomat to receive Malta’s highest medal of honor. Prior to that, she was a commercial broker with NAI Norris, Beggs and Simpson.

Molly holds a BA from the University of Colorado.


The Dealmakers’ Edge with A.Y. Strauss highlights the stories, successes, and struggles behind major commercial real estate investors. Each episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at commercial real estate leaders and their unique edge.

Hosted by Aaron Y. Strauss, Managing Partner at A.Y. Strauss

Aaron Y. Strauss is one of the leading legal advisors in the commercial real estate industry, providing insight and guidance for billions worth of transactions during his career. As our firm’s founder and managing partner, he has positioned A.Y. Strauss as one of the region’s most respected law firms for commercial real estate owners, lenders and sponsors, serving the needs of our clients with the utmost in care, integrity and transparency.