Waters: Being a young, female professional in the real estate industry, I definitely wanted to get involved in CREW-OC's new mentor program. I've been very fortunate to have great mentors throughout my entire life. One in particular, who I've known since I was 15 years old, was influential in my personal and professional growth, so I fully appreciate the value mentors can bring to one's life.

Rory has been no exception. Whether it's answering my questions or discussing the real estate market over lunch or to introducing me to new, prominent contacts in the industry, she has already had a positive impact on my career. I look forward to paying it forward by mentoring young, female professionals in the future.

GlobeSt.com: What are some of the pressures that women face in the commercial real estate industry, and in what ways are women overcoming these challenges?

Ingels: Certainly, it is still a male-dominated field. Women and men generally think differently, react differently and approach problem-solving differently. One of the biggest challenges women face is that they lack the confidence to express their ideas. If our mentors can give their mentees confidence, they can help overcome this challenge.

Waters: Coming from a legal background, where women are now graduating from law school at slightly higher rates than men, I did not anticipate the industry to be as male dominated as it is, especially at the young professional level. I recently took a real estate overview course and was surprised when eight out of the 10 participants were male.

But while this disparity can be a little intimidating, I also think it presents great opportunities for women in our industry. I for one embrace this “challenge.” By helping each other, learning from one another and recognizing each other's achievements, we can all be successful and rise to the top together.

GlobeSt.com: There has been much discussion about the need for diversity in the commercial real estate industry. How has the role of women in the industry evolved over the past decade? What impact are women having in commercial real estate?

Ingels: I'm proud to say that I work with some powerful and influential women in the industry, women who have paved the way for the next generation. That said, there are typically more women in executive-level roles within larger institutional organizations than there are within smaller private firms. I think the institutions tend to work harder to implement inclusionary policies. As the industry continues to consolidate, we should see more women in upper-level management.

Waters: As a rising leader in real estate, I can personally attest to the new opportunities available to women, and believe that women will continue to transform the face of the industry. While commercial real estate has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, the number of opportunities that have opened up to women in the past few years has increased, and there is also more upward mobility for female leaders today than there was in the past.

GlobeSt.com: As a commercial real estate organization that is shaping future leaders, what do you think the future has in store for female leaders?

Ingels: I truly believe there are no longer insurmountable barriers for any woman who wants to excel in her role, climb the corporate ladder and be a future leader. In the next five to 10 years, there will be greater opportunities for women to advance in their careers and truly make an impact in the commercial real estate industry.

CREW-OC has been instrumental in shaping future female leaders through this new mentorship program and through the emerging-leaders program, both of which complement each other well. These programs are vital to opening doors for women, and enabling them to have a greater voice in the industry.

Waters: Since day one, I've been impressed with all the young, female professionals I've met in CREW-OC's emerging-leaders program. There is no shortage of bright, driven women in real estate.

As companies and employers continue to recognize the contributions and value that women bring to their organization, I'm confident the number of women in leadership and executive roles will increase and have a positive impact on the industry. Simply put, the future is very bright.

ORANGE COUNTY, CA—Lacking the confidence to express their ideas and simply being in the minority are two major issues women in commercial real estate must overcome, Rory Ingels, co-chair of CREW-Orange County's mentorship program, and Ashley Waters, land-acquisition associate with Clearwater Communities, tell GlobeSt.com. On the heels of CREW-OC's mentorship event last week, we spoke exclusively with Ingels and Waters about the primary vision for the organization's mentor program, some of the pressures women in CRE face today and how they are overcoming them.

GlobeSt.com: What is the primary vision for CREW-OC's Mentor Program, and how is the organization working to accomplish these goals?

Ingels: The primary objective of CREW-OC's new mentor program is to foster and inspire the next generation of female commercial real estate leaders by pairing experienced members with younger professionals in the industry. This program, which was launched earlier this year, works to bridge the gap between new entrants in the commercial real estate field and upper-level management. By providing a safe, nurturing environment for emerging leaders to ask questions and share ideas, the program plays an integral role in shaping the future of women in this industry.

So far, the turnout has been phenomenal. We hosted two events earlier this year, which served as networking opportunities for young and experienced professionals. Currently, we have 11 pairs with an additional four mentors/mentees waiting to be paired. Our goal is to ensure meaningful pairings that benefit both parties.