In conversation with Dina Morsy and Lenishae Brown, JLL
This month, we caught up with Dina Morsy, Senior Consultant and Lenishae Brown, Graduate Surveyor, at JLL – one of PREACH Inclusion’s corporate partners.
Both Dina and Lenishae have carved out impressive careers in real estate and property management, while navigating challenges and breaking down barriers. As Co-Chairs of Race for Change (R4C), JLL’s Business Resource Group focused on racial equity, they are helping to create a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, ensuring that real estate is built for everyone – not just a select few.
We sat down with them to discuss their career paths, the impact of their work, and the biggest challenges facing diversity in the built environment sector today.
Grab and cuppa and dive in!
Dina’s Journey: A Passion for Cities and Inclusive Design
For Dina, her career has been shaped by a lifelong fascination with urban spaces and a desire to make them more inclusive.
“I’ve always been fascinated by cities. I studied Geography as an undergraduate, knowing I wanted to work in urban spaces. That led me to pursue an MSc in Urban Design and City Planning at UCL, which was made possible through a scholarship from LandSec – an opportunity that truly shaped my career.” – Dina
Her degree was accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), leading her into Surveying. She initially worked in Party Wall Surveying, where surveyors navigate the legalities and potential disputes related to shared structures. However, she quickly found that the field was dominated by men.
“I was often the only woman in the room,” she shares. “I had supportive colleagues, but the experience really sparked my interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I).” - Dina
Dina later moved into Neighbourly Matters, specialising in rights of light – a technical discipline ensuring developments do not unlawfully obstruct natural light from neighbouring properties. This transition, however, coincided with COVID lockdowns, meaning she spent her early days without meeting any of her colleagues in person.
“The isolation was difficult,” she reflects. “I wasn’t just adjusting to a new role – I was adjusting to a completely remote way of working in an industry that thrives on collaboration.” – Dina
Following this, Dina transitioned to Cluttons, where she managed Property Management for telecoms, overseeing infrastructure-related assets and ensuring operational efficiency within a highly specialised field. While the technical aspects of the role were valuable, she found herself increasingly drawn to work that focused on people and communities – particularly DE&I within the built environment.
Dina joined JLL in 2022, first as a Surveyor in the Property & Asset Management team, where she managed the day-to-day running of large commercial shopping centres in the UK. She later transitioned in 2024 to the Real Estate Consulting team at JLL, where she works to advise clients on various real estate challenges, including consulting on how clients can work to make their spaces more inclusive, combining her interests in property, inclusive design and workplace experience.
Lenishae’s journey – Law, Real Estate and Community Impact
For Lenishae, the journey started with a Law degree, but it was the Property Law aspect that intrigued her.
“I decided to pursue an MA in Commercial Real Estate in Scotland. I had dreams of travelling the world through real estate, and studying in Aberdeen, a multicultural city, was an enriching experience.” – Lenishae
However, graduating during COVID made job-hunting difficult and she wasn’t initially able to secure a graduate role. “I started working at Foxtons as a Lettings Consultant, and I loved it. I even helped grow Foxtons ‘Afro-Caribbean network,’ which was a great experience.” - Lenishae
Eventually, she joined JLL as a Graduate Surveyor, where she was hired directly into the Affordable Housing team.
“Affordable Housing resonates with me because I have a passion for helping people. Later, I transitioned into Commercial Real Estate, working across Property & Asset Management, Agency, and Valuations. Now, I’ve secured a permanent role in Valuations, specialising in Operational Real Estate, and I love being able to work on nuanced assets, from hotels and wildlife centres to storage facilities.” – Lenishae
Career Highlights and Standout Projects
Both Dina and Lenishae have worked on projects that have shaped their careers.
“For me, getting the LandSec scholarship was a pivotal moment – it opened doors I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise,” Dina reflects.
“In terms of projects, one that stands out is a Party Wall Award I was completing in St James’ Park, where I had to survey an entire street and document pavement conditions due to potential structural risks. Recently, I drove past the area and saw the completed development! The project was ‘The Broadway,’ developed by Multiplex.” – Dina
One of her most meaningful projects was working on user experience improvements for Hajj pilgrims.
“As a Muslim, having a say in enhancing the pilgrimage experience was deeply personal.” - Dina
More recently, she worked on global transactions for Salesforce, where JLL provided Facilities Management services. The change management process allowed her to connect with people across different teams, making it a rewarding experience.
For Lenishae, securing a permanent role was a major milestone. “Job security in this industry can be challenging.” Lenishae reflects.
“When I worked in Affordable Housing, I helped design questionnaires for registered providers, engaging directly with tenants. That experience reinforced the importance of community-driven solutions.” She added.
Leading Race for Change: Balancing Advocacy and Work
As Co-Chairs of Race for Change (R4C), JLL’s Business Resource Group focused on racial equity, Dina and Lenishae are committed to making JLL a more inclusive workplace.
“Race for Change was founded during COVID, and I joined after attending a Black History Month event. Since then, we’ve collaborated with other companies in the sector, such as Knight Frank and CBRE, focusing on intersectionality in the workplace.” – Lenishae
“Our goal is to ensure R4C is a resource for JLL. While events are great, we want to create actionable takeaways. For example, JLL is opening a new office in Broadgate Circle in 2026, and we’re hoping to be brought into the conversations about inclusive design.” – Dina
They’ll also be partnering with British Land and CBRE to celebrate Windrush Day, they’ve hosted Community Days with speakers across different levels, and organised mentoring sessions with senior leaders.
“Our goal is to not just host events, but to strategically influence company culture, resulting in changes that support people of all backgrounds.” – Dina adds.
In their capacity as Co-Chairs, Dina and Lenishae recently had the opportunity to join Dawn Butler MP at the House of Commons (pictured), to discuss the Race Equality Bill as part of the APPG for Investing in Ethnicity. Lenishae was the only graduate voice at the roundtable, making it a particularly meaningful experience.
The Importance of Diversity in the Built Environment
Both Dina and Lenishae agree that diversity is crucial in shaping the future of the Built Environment.
“Real Estate has historically lacked diversity, and collaboration is key to changing that.” – Dina
Recognising the need for greater representation in the industry, early in her career, Dina became involved with the London Enterprise Network, run by the Greater London Authority (GLA), contributing to initiatives designed to inspire future generations and ensure equitable access to opportunities for young professionals from underrepresented backgrounds.
“Futureproofing the Built Environment requires diverse voices and perspectives. From an ESG standpoint, it’s crucial to ensure spaces are designed for everyone, not just a select few.” - Lenishae
Challenges in the Sector
Despite progress, challenges remain.
“Class remains a major issue. Without the willingness to listen and learn across the industry, creating a better future will be challenging.” - Lenishae
Dina agrees. “Generally, getting people to engage is tough. We of course understand that client work and day-to-day roles take precedent, but we’d love if people made more time to be inquisitive and learn something new by attending even just one of our events per year.”
Advice to Their Younger Selves
When asked what advice they would give to their younger selves, both Dina and Lenishae reflect on their journeys.
“Don’t give up. There will always be roadblocks, but perseverance pays off.” - Lenishae
“Embrace change. Be the kind of leader you’d want to work for – kindness goes a long way.” - Dina
Thank you, Dina and Lenishae for candidly sharing your journeys and paving the way for a more inclusive built environment sector.