Experienced advisors. Trusted partners.

Michael Gottlieb is Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Woodbrook Advisors. Drawing on more than three decades of leadership experience, he delivers practical, financially driven solutions that help organizations navigate complex transactions, plan for growth, manage risk, and capitalize on real estate opportunities.

His background spans law and finance, accounting, operations, corporate governance and transaction management - giving him a multifaceted perspective on every engagement and a unique ability to develop strategies designed to achieve complex business initiatives. His expertise includes financial modeling, capital markets, joint venture structuring, asset management, financing strategies, lease administration, portfolio optimization and strategic planning services.

Prior to co-founding Woodbrook Advisors, Michael served as a Founding Principal of Avison Young's New York office beginning in 2012 and later led the firm's expansion into Tel Aviv. During his tenure, together with Martin Cottingham, he co-led a team that completed nearly 600 transactions valued at ~$4.0 billion, advising Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, nonprofits and privately held businesses across all service lines.

Michael was named to Avison Young's Circle of Excellence ten times in eleven years and has been a CoreNet New York Deal of the Year finalist for the past two consecutive years. He holds an accounting degree, is admitted to the New York Bar and also served as Chair of the Real Estate Board of New York's subcommittee responsible for updating the organization's Code of Ethics and Professional Practices. Earlier in his career, he served as General Counsel to a New York based family office and was a Vice Chairman at Grubb & Ellis before it was acquired in 2012.

Martin J. Cottingham is Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Woodbrook Advisors. With more than 30 years of experience across real estate, corporate services, investment strategy, development, and executive leadership, he brings a practical, solutions-oriented perspective to every engagement. His experience includes advising family offices, private investors, corporations, nonprofits and institutional clients on strategic growth, real estate, operational planning and implementing complex business decisions.

Prior to co-founding Woodbrook Advisors, Martin was a Principal at Avison Young and helped launch its New York office in 2012. Together with Michael Gottlieb, he co-led a team that completed nearly 600 transactions totaling nearly 10 million square feet and valued at ~$4.0 billion. He was named to the firm's Circle of Excellence ten times in eleven years and has been a CoreNet New York Deal of the Year finalist for the past two consecutive years. Martin holds a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from New York University. His work on the National Basketball Players Association headquarters relocation was recognized with a nomination for the Real Estate Board of New York's Most Ingenious Deal of the Year Award, and the project also received the Design & Construction of a New Facility Award from the IFMA (International Facility Management Association) New York City Chapter Awards for Excellence.  

Martin has extensive experience managing complex, multi-market assignments across major U.S. and North America markets, the UK, EU and EMEA. His work has included advising corporate leadership teams, directing transaction management programs and aligning real estate with organizational strategy.

He has guided strategic projects for more than twenty private schools and charter schools, and has led many high-profile assignments in New York City, including several notable projects in the private-public sector. Earlier in his career, he was Managing Director of Corporate Services at Grubb & Ellis (now Newmark) and Managing Director at Bear Stearns, where he oversaw global real estate for a 4+ million square foot portfolio, including the firm's development of their 1.2 million-square-foot headquarters at 383 Madison Avenue.

Carolyn Romano serves as Director of Client Services at Woodbrook Advisors, overseeing client engagements, managing strategic initiatives and ensuring seamless execution of projects across the firm's entire advisory and consulting practice. She plays an integral role in delivering the high-touch, personalized experience that defines the firm.

With more than 15 years of experience across client management, operations, project oversight, regulatory compliance, and consulting support, Carolyn coordinates complex engagements, manages critical deliverables and facilitates communication among clients, advisors, and external service providers.

Prior to joining Woodbrook Advisors, Carolyn was a Client Service Coordinator at Avison Young, where she managed every aspect of the RFP process, directed vendor certification initiatives and supported numerous high-profile corporate, nonprofit, and educational assignments.

Earlier, she spent six years with American Pipe & Tank Lining Co. as an Account Manager and Sales Representative, partnering with Cushman & Wakefield, Newmark, Thor Equities, and NYCHA. She developed deep expertise navigating FDNY, DOB, DOH, and DEP regulatory environments while managing significant capital improvement projects. Carolyn was honored with Avison Young's Circle of Excellence Award in 2016.