In preparation for our Women of Influence special feature and retreat, Real Estate Forum and GlobeSt.com together is putting a spotlight on the achievements of women in commercial real estate. This year, we collected nominations across a number of fields, with the awards to be presented at our inaugural GlobeSt.ELITE Women of Influence Conference and this year's amount of entries, was our biggest yet.

CRE's use of tech may have started with software to better manage properties and automate certain processes, but nowadays technology touches all aspects of commercial real estate, from space listings and HR operations to crowdfunding investment and financing to the newest innovation, blockchain technology to provide a more efficient and secure way of closing deals. For the field of innovation, this year, we were seeking nominees who have fully embraced and integrated herself into the world of technology, and are reaping the benefits of the tools, platforms, products and services available through these innovations. Whether an IT expert who's found ways to capitalize on a need within the industry, or a CRE professional who has become more efficient and successful through the use of tech, whatever her role, we were looking for individuals who have had the forethought and ingenuity to realize how to best make technology work to benefit her career, her company and the industry at large.

Since 1983, Forum's Women of Influence has recognized remarkable commercial real estate professionals who have significantly influenced the market or had outstanding successes in the past year. It is in that spirit that we're launching our first-ever Women of Influence Conference will celebrate the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.

At this year's event, we will honor the winners at the event July 10-11th in Broomfield, CO, at a special awards ceremony cocktail reception and gala dinner. The inaugural GlobeSt.ELITE Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward. In panel discussions throughout the event, these influential leaders will discuss the critical issues facing CRE now and in the future, what it means to be a woman in business today and CRE's place in the #MeToo era. They will discuss what they are doing to promote diversity in the upper levels of management and what the industry can do to position itself for a more inclusive future.

 The top women in the category of innovation professional chosen this year are as follows:

Kim Ford, Coeo

Cheryl Gray, QuadReal Property Group

Jessica Harrison, Berkadia

Jilliene Helman, RealtyMogul

Tina Lichens, Real Capital Markets

Camille Renshaw, B+E

Lisa Sharpe, CRATE Modular Inc.

Angela Tucci, Apto

Diane Vrkic, Waypoint

Janine Yorio, Compound Asset Management

As always, our seasoned editorial team was seeking the best of the best across the commercial real estate spectrum. In evaluating the entries, we took into account a number of factors, including: the nominee's impact on, and reputation within, her firm and broader professional community; the nominee's professional career highlights, from dealmaking savvy and innovation to client satisfaction and personal growth; a proven ability to achieve goals and display ingenuity in terms of creative thinking and problem solving; her dedication to furthering the development of her field and the role of women within it; accomplishments and involvement in her company, the CRE industry and broader social community;  a personal commitment to the highest ethical standards, service and excellence; and so much more.

Keep an eye out for the July/August issue of Real Estate Forum, which will further highlight these individual's accomplishments.

➤➤ Join the GlobeSt.com Women of Influence 2019 conference July 10^th and 11^th in Broomfield, CO, which celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward. The event will address the critical role of women in the CRE business. Click here to register and view the agenda.