NEW YORK CITY-Different commercial real estate markets shined in 2012, but what do you think 2013's rising stars will be? Or is the looming fiscal cliff halt any industry momentum?
If 2009 was the pit of despair for the hotel industry, 2012 provides more than a ray of hope. Development seems poised to increase, and industry professionals are ready to take advantage of the next wave of momentum.
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.