Our founder and CEO Julie Kimble started her career in the mid-1980s in real estate development. It was her daily norm for years to sit in meetings as the only woman in the room. Fast forward 35+ years later and a lot has changed. There are increasing numbers of women real estate developers, architects, engineers, attorneys and construction managers. Women entrepreneurs continue to form new companies each day. Yet, there is much more growth to be had in the brokerage side of the business; it’s still very male-centric. And there are mountains of change yet needed to increase racial diversity overall in the commercial real estate industry. We can only hope and do all that we can to make sure that change does not take long.
And so, it is an absolute joy to take a few minutes to recognize some of our industry peers and admire some amazing women that we know in our industry on this March 8, 2021, International Women’s Day. Of course, there are so many more we want to mention, and we will barely scratch the surface, but please connect with the women below to learn about these talented leaders in commercial real estate:
Women-owned companies in the real estate industry
We love to be in the company of other women-owned commercial real estate entrepreneurs that took the risk to start their own companies:
Lisa Christenson of Christianson & Company
Pat Wolf of Commercial Real Estate Services
JoAnna Hicks of Element, Inc.
Tina Hoye and Anna Coskran of NTH, Inc.
Betsy Vohs of Studio BV
Wendy Ethen of Guaranty Title
Meghan Huber or Welsh Construction
Real estate developers
Real estate developers are tasked with wearing many hats and multi-tasking in all areas. That is why these phenomenal women are great at what they do:
Carrie Eggleston of United Properties
Maureen Michalski and Ann Duginske Cibulka of Ryan Companies
Shannon Rusk of Oppidan
Investors/owners
While we still need more women taking the leap to own and invest in commercial real estate, here are a couple of women leading the way:
Maggie Linvill Smith of Linville Properties
Brenda Radichel Quaye of Venstar
Asset managers
With deep financial know-how and strategic thinking, Karen Priesman of Gladstone Commercial, positions real estate for long-term success.
Brokers
Last but not least, those taking significant risk and leading exceptional work in real estate transactions:
Skye Cook of Cushman & Wakefield
Jen Helm of Newmark Knight Frank
R’aeesa Motala of Lee & Associates
Anne Rinde and Larissa Bodine of CBRE
We cannot end without a shout out to some amazing industry organizations that have, quite frankly, changed the landscape for women in the industry, thank you to MNCREW and CREW Network for your support and persistence!
In closing, here are a few quotes to inspire future women in commercial real estate or whatever passion your career inspires!
“I advise women to invest in real estate. It is the collateral to be preferred over all others, and the safest means of investing money.” - Hetty Green
“You will be defined not just by what you achieve, but by how you survive.” - Sheryl Sandberg
“The most successful entrepreneurs I know are optimistic. It’s part of the job description.” - Caterina Fake
“The glass ceiling will go away when women help other women break through that ceiling.” - Indra Nooyi