About Lauren

Lauren Gerdes is an assurance partner and a real estate senior analyst for RSM US LLP. She has nearly 15 years of experience delivering industry-specific insights to help clients stay at the forefront of change.

Since the start of Lauren’s RSM career, real estate has been her passion and focus. She guides clients across the country through constantly evolving challenges, technology trends and new ventures. As a member of the national real estate practice, she provides a wide range of assurance and attest services to privately held companies in all sectors of the industry.

Experience

Lauren has experience working with private equity investment advisors and funds holding various equity and debt positions in domestic and international real estate. She is adept at navigating complex accounting and operational matters surrounding acquisitions, valuations and structures, including qualified opportunity zone funds, real estate investment trusts and open-ended funds.

Lauren was selected as a senior analyst in RSM’s cutting-edge Industry Eminence Program, which positions its senior analysts to understand, forecast and communicate economic, business and technology trends shaping the industries RSM serves. These senior analysts advise clients on conditions influencing middle market leaders.

Lauren is also active in RSM’s employee network group STAR, which focuses on understanding the unique experiences of women in the workplace. Away from the office, Lauren devotes time to volunteer activities with the National Society of Multiple Sclerosis as a member of the Emerging Leaders Board and the Boys and Girls Club. She also loves traveling and attending sporting events with her fiancé, hiking with her Australian shepherd, and competing in triathlons.

Professional affiliations and designations

• Certified public accountant; Illinois, Colorado and Arizona
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Education

• Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation, MIT Sloan School of Management
• Master of Science, accounting, University of Illinois Chicago
• Bachelor of Science, accounting, University of Illinois Chicago