Our Roots

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

From an early age, Justin has been immersed in the world of dealmaking, placemaking, and retail design, influenced by his father who spent decades at some of the most recognized names in the industry — from The Taubman Company to Glimcher Properties and Ashkenazy Acquisitions. It was here that Justin absorbed a core philosophy: the most impactful real estate starts by understanding the needs of the operator. That principle — balancing the vision of the landlord with the functionality of the tenant — remains at the heart of his work today.

After graduating from The Ohio State University, Justin began his career at DLC Management Corp., where he quickly rose to oversee a 3 million square foot portfolio of power centers and grocery-anchored assets across the East Coast and Midwest.

He then joined Brookfield Properties as Director of Big Box Leasing, managing anchor deals across 17 regional malls in 14 states. His focus shifted to repositioning legacy shopping centers, spearheading high-impact redevelopments like The Collection at Independence in Wilmington, NC.

Later, as Vice President and Head of Leasing at Tricera Capital, Justin led leasing efforts across more than 30 urban mixed-use properties throughout the Southeast. 

From there, Justin and his wife Nicolle, now with an expanding family, returned to New York and joined Urban Edge Properties, a public REIT, where he served as Vice President of Leasing. Overseeing a 13 million square foot portfolio, Justin and his team consistently outperformed market expectations — including in 2024, when they closed over 60 deals.

In 2023, Justin earned his master’s in real estate & Infrastructure from Johns Hopkins University’s Carey Business School, where he was also the recipient of the Anikeef Prize, awarded for excellence in real estate and investment strategy.

 To date, he has completed over $300 million in annualized lease transactions and has worked with premier brands such as Apple, Google, Shake Shack, CAVA, Starbucks, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sephora, ULTA, LIDL, Five Below, and Orangetheory Fitness.

In 2025, Justin and Nicolle co-founded The Lustig Group — a strategic retail advisory firm rooted in landlord-side experience and built to serve both institutional owners and emerging operators. Their mission: to reimagine retail by aligning design, tenancy, and community with the human experience behind every lease.

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Nicolle's retail instincts were shaped behind the counter of her family’s deli — the butcher’s daughter and the oldest of four. From a young age, she experienced the grit, resilience, and heart it takes to run a small business — a foundation that continues to guide her work in real estate today.

After earning a degree in Mass Communications from Iona College, Nicolle launched her career at DLC Management, quickly rising to oversee a 2 million square foot portfolio of open-air centers across the country. She also pioneered one of ICSC’s first women-led networking events at RECon, creating space for connection and collaboration among the industry's top female professionals.

Her passion for curated, high street retail brought her to Urbanspace where she led the repositioning of Turnstyle Underground Market - transforming an overlooked concourse into a vibrant collection of 40+ shops and eateries; as well as working on the curation of the iconic Vanderbilt Food Hall, launch of 570 Lex and Bryant Park and Columbus Circle's Holiday Markets.

Following that success, she joined ASG Equities, where she oversaw leasing for key assets in Miami’s Wynwood and Design District, while also advising on national retail strategy across U.S. and Canadian portfolios. During her time there, Nicolle was solely responsible for managing the flagship tenants within the portfolio during the height of COVID, working directly on lease modifications and amendments to ensure tenant retention. Thanks to her efforts, 100% of the tenant roster was preserved.

In 2025, Nicolle co-founded The Lustig Group with her husband and partner, Justin Lustig — a retail advisory firm built on decades of leasing experience and a deep belief that great retail is about connection, creativity, and community.

Senior Director

Jesse brings to TLG a career built on the foundation of established landlord experience, street-level market intelligence, and a relentless, client-first approach to every assignment. A graduate of Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Jesse combines an analytical mindset with a practical, boots-on-the-ground understanding of retail real estate.

Jesse began his commercial real estate career at DLC Management, where he developed a deep operational understanding of how retail assets function from the inside out. His performance and market acumen attracted the attention of General Growth Properties, one of the largest mall REITs in the United States. When Brookfield Asset Management acquired GGP, Jesse earned his place within the expanded platform, gaining unparalleled exposure to institutional-grade retail real estate on a national scale.

What distinguishes Jesse is not simply where he has worked, but how he works. He approaches every market with a gritty, boots-on-the-ground intensity. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to him, he sources them through consistent networking and direct outreach. His clients trust him not because he tells them what they want to hear, but because he delivers honest, well-researched counsel backed by the kind of market knowledge that only comes from years of doing the work.

Senior Director

Gabriella Semet is a seasoned retail real estate executive with over a decade of experience developing and executing leasing strategies across the Northeast. Her background spans some of the most coveted retail environments in the region, including prime New York City real estate, premier shopping centers, and one of the country’s top-performing A+ malls, where she has driven growth through strategic tenant mix, high-impact dealmaking, and long-term portfolio vision.

Prior to joining TLG, Gabriella held senior leading roles at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Urban Edge Properties, and Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation where she led redevelopment and repositioning initiatives, successfully negotiated dozens of new and renewal lease transactions, and collaborated closely with asset management, finance, legal, construction, and property management teams. She began her career in retail brokerage at CBRE and Newmark, representing both landlords and tenants and building a strong foundation in market analysis, deal execution, and relationship-driven business development.

Known for her strategic mindset, collaborative leadership style, and deep relationships with national and regional retailers and brokers, Gabriella brings a data-driven yet creative approach to leasing. She holds a degree in Communication from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Creative Director

With a background spanning e-mobility, lifestyle retail, and real estate development, Michael brings a fresh, entrepreneurial perspective to marketing space.

He is the founder of EMOTO Supply Co., an innovative electric bike and lifestyle store that redefines urban commuting through curated product collections and immersive in-store experiences. Prior to EMOTO, Michael worked within Gianco Companies, contributing to mixed-use development projects that combined real estate strategy with lifestyle branding. His unique blend of hands-on retail experience, marketing expertise, and placemaking insight allows him to approach retail advisory with a strong focus on creative storytelling, community building, and brand-led space activation.

Through TLG, Michael helps brands and property owners not just fill spaces — but create places that inspire loyalty, movement, and culture.