This month, we are celebrating women in commercial real estate. REDnews connected with some female CRE leaders to gain insight into their successes and get their lessons for future generations.

“All of those organizations have a meaningful purpose,” says Lucy Billingsly, founder of Billingsley Company. “When you’re in smaller groups, I think you can learn a great deal.”

One popular organization, which now boasts more than 12,000 members nationwide, is CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women).

“CREW is an investment in yourself and others, and the payback comes from your engagement and connections,” says Barbi Reuter, CREW’s 2021 president-elect. “There’s stellar career and professional growth for early and mid-career professionals.”

Reuter, CEO & principal with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR in southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, says her involvement with CREW afforded her many opportunities, which are also there for anyone who avails themselves.

“I had a chance to lead my Tucson chapter and build leadership skills, connect with brilliant professionals in multiple disciplines and markets, and be mentored when I needed it the most,” Reuter says. “At one turning point in my career, my CREW mentor guided me to quantify and sell my value at a time when my partners didn’t understand what I did and why it was important. Women often expect others to recognize their achievements and are raised not to toot their own horns. We’ve got to stand up for ourselves and each other.”

Networking, points out Meyer-Nelson, is vital to anyone’s success. Click to read more at www.rednews.com.