In the competitive world of commercial real estate (CRE), Audra Cunningham stands out for her achievements and for her role as a trailblazer in an industry traditionally dominated by men. As the executive vice president and chief administrative officer of T. Dallas Smith & Company, Cunningham’s journey is one of courage, perseverance and leadership.
Creating a Path for African Americans and Women in a Key Industry
Cunningham plays a pivotal role at T. Dallas Smith & Company (TDS&Co), the nation’s largest African American–owned pure tenant rep CRE firm, headquartered in Atlanta. “We represent clients across the United States, helping them find the right office space, industrial facilities or land and assist with the acquisition of commercial property,” says Cunningham. “Our sweet spot is office leasing. We help business leaders realize their dreams by finding the ideal office space, and we represent them in the negotiations and the entire build-out process.”
TDS&Co has built success by taking a holistic view of each client’s real estate experience. Before launching a search for properties, Cunningham conducts extensive research in the marketplace and within the client’s company to capture all relevant insights. She solicits input from all stakeholders, considering factors like space utilization, office functionality and even commute times. “When employees are given the chance to provide input, they feel like they are part of the process and are more likely to be pleased with the outcome,” she says.
Composed of 18 team members with diverse backgrounds, TDS&Co is a pioneer in the commercial real estate industry, which historically has lacked diversity. Cunningham notes that African Americans comprise approximately 3 percent of CRE brokers. She says, “Most clients want diversity. They want a team that’s representative of the organizations they lead and that brings diversity of thought to the problem they’re trying to solve.”
Cunningham herself is a trailblazer for women in this industry where female brokers and leaders are rare. In fact, when Cunningham first considered moving into this field, she was told that she wouldn’t succeed due to her race, gender and age. “Fortunately, I didn’t listen,” she recalls. Today, her success is a testament to her determination and skill.
She’s mindful of her impact on this industry. “What’s most important to me in life is not how much money I earn, but what kind of legacy I’m leaving. I consider how the work I’m doing today creates opportunities for others, especially women and people of color,” Cunningham says.
Leading in the Community
Cunningham generously gives her time and expertise to support professional and community organizations, especially those that promote diversity. So, when the Gwinnett Chamber’s first African American chairperson, Lanier Levett, called to ask if she’d serve on the Board of Directors, she made time. “This is an amazing group of people and I’m honored to help diverse companies see how they can benefit by being part of the Gwinnett Chamber and Chairman’s Club,” she says.
“Our board strives to reflect the business community we serve, and we are grateful for Audra’s willingness to be a part of our dynamically diverse group of leaders,” said Lanier Levett, Gwinnett Chamber Board Chair. “We look forward to championing business together under our common values of innovation, advocacy and inclusion.”
Her impact extends far beyond the Chamber. She’s among an elite group of 90 community leaders selected for the Leadership Atlanta 2025 class, and she serves on the board for SmartPath, a private company working to improve financial literacy across the country. She also serves in leadership roles with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Midtown Alliance and the Atlanta chapter of CoreNet.
A Vision for Gwinnett’s Future
Cunningham is bullish on the future of Gwinnett County and the metro area. “The sky is the limit as long as we keep creating innovative leaders who want to continue making progress,” she says.