REAL ESTATE NEWS

Career-defining growth in commercial real estate rarely comes from staying in familiar roles, and senior women leaders say investors and executives should expect meaningful opportunities to emerge when they are willing to embrace uncertainty, rethink the traditional playbook and push beyond their comfort zones.

That was the focus of an opening C-suite panel at GlobeSt.com's Women of Influence Conference in Denver, where speakers tied personal career inflection points to the broader need for innovation and leadership in today's market.

Moderated by Margette Hepfner, president of housing at Bilt, the panel explored how intentional decision-making, rather than a narrow focus on promotions, can position professionals to lead through market volatility and structural change in commercial real estate.

Hepfner noted that while many executives concentrate on the next title, durable influence in the sector comes from building roles around purpose and being "excited about what you're building," not just the position on a business card.

Panelists emphasized that for investors and operators, the same mindset applies: the deals and strategies that move portfolios forward often require stepping into spaces that feel uncertain, but are grounded in sound relationships, timing and conviction about the long-term direction of the business.

Stepping Away From Autopilot

When asked about leaving her comfort zone, Carmen Decker, executive vice president of real estate operations and strategy at Bridge33 Capital, described the moment she realized routine had started to replace purpose. "There have been times where I've been on autopilot," she said, adding that the shift for her meant "waking up earlier" and wanting to show up every day to prove herself and drive value for the company.

Decker's comments underscored a theme that resonates with many owners and investors who have grown portfolios in relatively predictable environments and now face more complex capital markets and operational demands. The message from the stage was that "autopilot" may feel safe, but it can limit both career and investment upside when market conditions call for sharper focus and greater adaptability.

Hepfner reinforced that stepping into new roles—whether in-house or with a different platform—requires attention to how executives manage their exits and entries within the industry's tight network. "This industry is small," she said. "Think about the relationships you build, the way you leave and the way you return. How do you leave well?"

Saying Yes When The Timing Is Uncertain

For Sharon Géno, president of the National Multifamily Housing Council, the chance to take NMHC's top role was not part of a planned career path. After helping rebuild a nonprofit where she worked following Covid, she said she initially brushed aside a recruiter's outreach. "I really wasn't looking for a job," she recalled.

The recruiter kept calling, eventually explaining that NMHC itself was still working through what kind of leader it needed. Géno agreed to interview and quickly realized the opportunity was a match. "I was the first candidate to interview, and it just all clicked," she said. "I saw myself in the role." She credited NMHC's leadership team and the timing of the transition for making the move feel right.

"It is about the people," Géno said. "I really liked the officers that I interviewed with. It is also about timing. Sometimes there are moments in time where those kinds of transitions work for you. There are other moments where it isn't the right time." With housing facing significant challenges and rapid change, she said she ultimately wanted to be at the table helping shape the industry's future.

"I thought it was the right time for me to be sitting at the table," Géno told attendees. "Sure, there is a lot of uncertainty, but you have to trust yourself enough to say, 'If this isn't working, we'll change it.' Don't always follow the playbook you're given."

Her comments pointed to a broader market reality: in periods of disruption, leaders in multifamily and other sectors may not have a perfect job description or roadmap, but stepping in anyway can position them to influence policy, capital flows and operational standards.

When Discomfort Becomes A Catalyst

Kelly Cantley, senior vice president at Bozzuto, described a major career shift that initially felt like a misfit. "It was such a big shift and so uncomfortable," she said. "But switching was the best thing that ever happened to me. I look back and am so thankful that I had the courage to do it."

Cantley's experience echoed the idea that in commercial real estate, the projects and roles that seem most disruptive at first may ultimately create the greatest long-term value—for both careers and portfolios. For investors watching market cycles, her story is a reminder that calculated shifts into new strategies, markets or asset classes can feel uncomfortable, yet still be the right move.

Panelist Cassie Hrtanek, chief operating officer at The Inland Real Estate Companies LLC, tied that willingness to be uncomfortable directly to innovation. "It is scary when you have the ability to innovate," she said. "It is fun and exciting, and it makes you want to continue to innovate."

Her point was that the freedom to try new operating models or capital structures comes with risk, but also with the energy and momentum that keep companies competitive.

Closing the discussion, Hepfner encouraged attendees to think differently about professional self-advocacy. "The overall theme is about advocating for yourselves and taking a chance," she said. "Advocating for yourself isn't about chasing the next title—it's about being excited about what you're building."

Throughout the conversation, panelists pressed executives and investors alike to trust their instincts, accept career opportunities that don't always follow a traditional path and recognize that meaningful leadership in commercial real estate is often forged just beyond the edge of their comfort zone.

Come back to read more coverage from our conference.

How Women In CRE Are Redefining The C-Suite

Source: GlobeSt/ALM