Commercial real estate has long been considered one of the last industries where the glass ceiling hasn't been breached. But if the women on the next several pages are any indication, the "Old Boys' Club" may no longer be an apt description for the business. Women entered the sector in droves over the past few decades, and many have risen to the C-suite and are among the top decision-makers at their firms. As such, the editors of REAL ESTATE FORUM had a tough time selecting this year's Women of Influence. We weeded through some 200 worthy nominations to come up with 45 exectives whose accomplishments were particularly impressive. With an increasing number of women currently paying their dues and rising to management-level positions—not to mention mentoring a younger generation of female professionals—it seems like we'll have our work cut out for us in the years to come.

President and CEO Gables Residential Atlanta

Susan Ansel's impressive 30-year career reached an even higher point earlier this year when she was tapped to head Gables Residential. She's come a long way since starting her career as a financial analyst at the Daseke Co. After that job sent her from Connecticut to Texas, Ansel was eventually hired by Gables' predecessor firm, Trammell Crow Residential, to implement on-site computer operations. She rose to become COO of the multifamily REIT, a title she held for seven years until her recent promotion. In the past year alone, Ansel has helped the firm deliver same-store NOI of 7.9% in 2011, its highest results ever; grew its third-party management business, adding 18 communities with annual revenue of $1.6 million; and implemented several technological innovations, including a new award-winning website, a marketing-analytics program, a tablet program and an online leasing and application program. Ansel is obviously a strong believer in technology's ability to increase efficiency. She also believes opportunities for women will continue to grow in the industry. "A significant number of women have been paying their dues for the past 20 years and more talented women will push their way into C-level positions," she relates.