Female leaders in commercial real estate : to the women following in their footsteps

Abstract

Within commercial real estate, women are not as likely as men to achieve senior-level executive positions. Commercial real estate has been slow to change in terms of achieving gender parity, and though improvements have been made in the status of women in leadership positions, gender-based disparity still exists. The purpose of this study is to shed more light on the facilitators and barriers to career advancement of women in commercial real estate who have achieved top-level leadership positions. Thirteen women holding senior-level management positions in the commercial real estate industry were interviewed regarding facilitators to career advancement and notable barriers, the role of mentors, and work-life balance issues. What route did these women take to the top and what did they encounter along the way? Each story told involved some combination of diligent work, the pursuit of opportunities, and the will to succeed. The results from this study supported much of the research that has been done on this topic. Gender barriers, biases, and stereotypes were met along the way, but these women succeeded in spite of these barriers. The women attribute their success to facilitators of career advancement such as a strong work ethic, relationship building and risk-taking. While this thesis shed light on the careers of women in commercial real estate, it also raises at least two questions. How similar are the career paths of women and men in commercial real estate in terms of facilitators and barriers to advancement? Does the glass ceiling appear thin or non-existent once female executives are above it?