Carren Ballenger Coston rejoined Open Realty Advisors in 2022, to build a team of women and young individuals who strive to take a holistic approach to national Tenant Representation for both established and emerging brands.

Carren’s knowledge of the retail landscape in all major cities across the US, combined with her experience leading one of the fastest growing brands in the country gives her a unique ability to get to know the ends and outs of brand and their business, ensuring their brick and mortar roll out is successful.

Prior to rejoining Open Realty Advisors, Carren spent 6 years as the Vice President of Real Estate and Development at Shake Shack, where she was responsible for the creation of growth strategies, site evaluation, lease negotiations, development process, schedules and permitting for the brand’s nationwide expansion. Prior to Shake Shack, she was with Dallimore & Co. where she assisted in creating and implementing growth strategies for clients such as Allen Edmonds, MOMA, Vince, Reformation, Soft Surroundings, Splendid and more.

Ms. Coston was awarded ICSC Foundation’s first Mary Lou Fiala Fellowship, honored as one of ICSC’s 4 Under 40 for 2019, is currently on Board of the ICSC Foundation and is a former member of the ICSC Board of Trustees. Ms. Coston earned a BS in business at University of Texas-Dallas.