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In the realm of business and branding, the influence of women has long been undeniable. From shaping purchase decisions to crafting brand strategies, women have left an indelible mark on the landscape of commerce. Their leadership and direction often steer companies towards success, embodying a narrative of empowerment and innovation.

Among these influential leaders stands Rebekah Tobias, the Managing Director of Independence Ventures. With a wealth of experience in real estate advisory and investment, Rebekah epitomizes the rising tide of female leadership in today’s business world. Her multifaceted roles, spanning real estate investment, consultancy, venture capital, and board memberships, exemplify her dynamic approach to driving growth and innovation.

It’s no surprise that Rebekah has been recognized for her leadership prowess. Shortlisted as one of The Most Influential Women Leaders to Watch in 2024, she represents a new generation of trailblazers, breaking barriers and reshaping industries.

From the Scratch

Rebekah’s first step towards her life’s goal started at 16 when she got her first job at a Dairy Queen ice cream shop during high school, and then she went on to waitressing. Having a working-class family background where her mother was the income earner, Rebekah obtained the sense of financial independence and self-reliance at a young age. The stereotypes of traditional gender roles were not a part of her childhood, since she was brought up in a shared household with two older brothers supporting her, which added to her determination and resilience later in life.

Rebekah managed to pursue her college education at San Diego State University self funded through a series of jobs in the real estate industry. Eventually her academic journey took a drastic turn when she got accepted for a special study program in English literature at Cambridge University’s Gonville and Caius College. 

At the start of her career working at CBRE in New York, Rebekah had to go through the tough training in the field of commercial real estate appraisal before she switched to the investment team. It was during the interview process at CBRE that she met a senior female partner whose strength and dedication to people development left a deep impression.

Journey towards Independence Ventures Ltd.

“When you stay true to your value system, you ultimately find the right fit”, exclaimed Rebekah, shining a bright light on how her journey has been so far, even though not every experience was a positive one. It was the worst experiences that shaped her and became defining moments in her career. During a brief interview opportunity, Rebekah shared that before she started Independence Ventures, she worked at a family office investing in real estate and private equity. Despite having its share of ups and downs, Rebekah is thankful that her previous employer valued its employees, and this is when she started mentoring, coaching, and investing in women who aspire to disrupt industries. “It’s a step in the direction of bridging the enormous funding gap for female and minority founders and helping them to gain financial independence, which is something I feel very strongly about and have seen first-hand the positive outcomes”, Rebekah Tobias added.

As the Managing Director

Rebekah Tobias, in her role as Managing Director, focuses on assembling high-caliber teams within real estate that align with the right sectors and locations, fostering a strong cultural fit. Operating across Europe poses its challenges, but Rebekah leverages her extensive network cultivated over two decades in both the US and European markets to propel the business’s expansion. She emphasizes to her team that she works for them, establishing a management style that is hands-off yet accessible, maintaining an open-door policy to encourage mutual trust.

At the core of Independence Ventures are values such as trust, transparency, integrity, accountability, and alignment. Rebekah is committed to nurturing diverse teams and advocating for equitable funding opportunities, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic background. Recognizing the proven benefits of diverse teams, she champions a vision where funding flows to the most capable operators and entrepreneurs with the best ideas.

While initially established as a consultancy, Rebekah is slowly and steadily collaborating with a business partner on a new investment strategy—a fund vehicle aimed at investing in emerging operators in real estate. This venture approach not only enhances return profiles but also fosters the growth of tech-enabled businesses with a heightened focus on social and ethical responsibility.

On a Personal Note

For Rebekah her top priority is and will always be her children, which she personally feels is one of the main reasons she continues to work hard and grow. Also, she is personally keen on keeping them true to their roots, raising them into well mannered, humble and kind human beings first and foremost.

Having spent over 16 years in London, Rebekah and her family recently moved to Amsterdam for a better lifestyle and better-quality education at the lowest possible cost, even though for her – home is London. As that’s where her husband owns a Philly-themed American dive bar and restaurant chain called Passyunk Avenue with 4 locations in London and launching a 5^th location in Amsterdam next year.

Teaming up with her business partner, whom she crossed paths with at CBRE over 15 years ago, Rebekah sets her sights on a remarkable endeavor: establishing one of Europe’s pioneering female-founded real estate funds. Their shared goal is to manage assets exceeding a billion, possibly even tens of billions, within the next 5 to 15 years. “It’s undeniably ambitious,” Rebekah acknowledges, “but then again, coming from a small town in Pennsylvania, I’ve already defied expectations. So why not aim for the stars?” As she reflects, Rebekah notes her desire to indulge in more tennis, a passion she anticipates enjoying in retirement (whenever that may be!)