In an industry where access often determines outcomes, Adeola Adejobi has built her career around expanding both.  Adejobi defines her role in real estate as a capital connector and ecosystem builder — someone who doesn’t just participate in deals but actively creates the conditions for them to happen. Through the Avant-Garde Network, a leading events platform for emerging executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders and Diversity in Commercial Real Estate (DCRE), the pre-eminent conference nationally for diverse real estate professionals, she brings developers, investors, lenders, and public sector leaders together to create real pathways for capital to move…

Alecia Hill is experienced in impact investing, real estate finance, and public policy. As Vice President and Assistant Portfolio Manager at FCP, she co-leads the firm's national affordable housing preservation platform while helping steer its broader impact investment strategy—directing capital toward underserved low- and-moderate communities historically excluded from wealth-building opportunities. Alecia brings a distinctive background to the table, having transitioned from the arts to real estate— a move that sharpened her interdisciplinary skill…

Brittany Rose is a visionary real estate entrepreneur, fund manager, and community-builder focused on helping women unlock generational wealth through real estate. As the Co-Founder of Women In Real Estate™ (W.I.R.E.), she leads a nationwide movement that has empowered over 100,000 women and allies through coaching, connection, and capital access. Build your brand and your life around authenticity. Don’t shrink yourself to fit into a mold or chase someone else’s definition of success.…

Carrie Torres has built her career on the conviction that public investment should be more than transactional—it should be transformational. As Director of the Opportunity Programs Group at DASNY, New York’s principal public finance and construction authority, she leads efforts to ensure that minority, women, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses have meaningful access to the billions of dollars in public contracts that shape the built environment. Under her leadership, DASNY reported $200 million in…

Davonne Reaves is a powerhouse in hospitality and commercial real estate—one of the youngest African American women to own a property in a major hotel chain and the founder of Vesterr, the first Black woman-owned real estate crowdfunding platform in the U.S. Through Vesterr, she’s redefining who gets to participate in commercial real estate investing—making ownership accessible with a $5,000 minimum and empowering everyday investors to build wealth. One of my biggest challenges…

Divya Smith is a real estate investor, executive consultant, and former Fortune 100 leader who now manages a $300M portfolio of multifamily assets as the founder and CEO of Ascending Avenue Investments. With over 20 years of experience in corporate America—including senior roles at Target, Hilton, US Bank, and UnitedHealth Group—Divya has mastered the art of strategic execution. She now channels that same discipline into helping professionals build generational wealth through real estate.…

Dr. Gina Merritt is a nationally recognized, award-winning real estate developer and the visionary force behind NREUV (Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures), a firm dedicated to socially equitable development and systems-level change. With over 25 years in the industry, Dr. Merritt has been involved in the development of more than 8,000 housing units, impacting over 19,000 residents across the country. Her leadership spans the full development lifecycle—from entitlements and financing to design and…

Gina D. Nisbeth is the founder and president of 9th & Clinton, a national Black woman–owned consulting firm that brings strategic advisory and investment structuring expertise to real estate developers, fund managers, nonprofits, and organizations seeking to invest in low-income communities for lasting impact. For her clients, Gina is not just an advisor—she is a trusted partner in building programs, sourcing capital, expanding executive capacity, and translating market trends into real-world opportunity. With…

Jennifer Horne is a visionary real estate developer and strategist whose work sits at the intersection of urban transformation, community equity, and sustainability. As CEO and Founding Partner of Urban Campus & Core, a Nashville-based real estate development and advisory firm, she is redefining how inclusive development is planned, financed, and delivered in America’s rapidly evolving urban centers. I’m currently focused on building AI systems into our operations and explore more prop tech…

Julia P. Stevenson is a private equity real estate professional, capital markets strategist, and principled impact investor with a career that spans portfolio management, fund formation, and operating company investments. As Principal of Fund Strategy and Investments at J Kyle Alexander LLC, she leads investment consulting and strategic advisory services for both general sponsors and institutional investors. Her firm’s work spans investment analysis, market analysis, deal structuring (debt and equity), fund formation services, ,…

As Founder & CEO of North Bridge, Laura Rapaport is helping reshape the future of real estate finance—one capital stack at a time. At a moment when traditional financing often falls short of modern development needs, Laura and her team have positioned C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) but as a mainstream capital markets solution.  “I see my role as helping to modernize and expand the real estate capital stack,” she explains. “At North Bridge, we’re focused on unlocking flexible, scalable…

Maggie O’Sullivan has played a critical role in aligning institutional capital with the communities that need it most. With more than three decades in banking, her career has spanned business development, credit, special credits, and global corporate banking. This included leading efforts to advance affordable housing and inclusive growth by bridging internal business lines, external partners, and public-sector leaders.  In her current role at Bank of America, Maggie serves middle market companies and financial sponsors to deliver strategic…

Nicole Pendergrass is a multifamily real estate investor and the founder of Noirvest Holdings, a mission-driven firm helping people of color build generational wealth through accessible, community-centered real estate investments. From house hacking a duplex in the Bronx to structuring multifamily syndications, Nicole has built a platform that combines practical investment tools with a deep commitment to financial equity. I would tell my younger self don’t wait until you feel ready. You grow…

Nicole Shomair Shiman is a nationally respected real estate executive who sees her work as more than just transactions — she defines her role as delivering best-in-class places and experiences through the built environment. As Managing Director of EDENS’ Florida office, Nicole leads the growth strategy and execution of a 1.9 million-square-foot retail portfolio across 12 assets, including transformative redevelopments like Downtown Palm Beach Gardens, Shadowood Square, Oakwood Square, and Weston Road Shopping…

Nylah Oliver is a purpose-driven leader working at the intersection of real estate, social impact, and community empowerment. As Head of Resident Engagement & Social Impact at The Promise Homes Company, she leads strategies that improve resident experiences while advancing equity and opportunity within the communities Promise Homes serves. Her work ensures that affordable, sustainable housing is not just available—but anchored in dignity, trust, and long-term wellbeing. Through my work in social responsibility,…

Shubha Maheshwari is a global sustainability executive whose work is shaping how capital, climate strategy, and intelligent infrastructure converge to redefine value in real estate. As Vice President of Global Sustainability at Verdani Partners, she leads ESG strategy and execution across global institutional portfolios and advises some of the world’s most prominent real estate investors and operators, including Barings, Artemis Real Estate Partners, Newmark, Hillwood, Fairfield Residential, and Discovery Senior Living.  With over 16 years of experience,…

Sonya Rocvil is the Principal and Founder of Bedrock Real Estate Investors, a privately-owned investment firm specializing in the acquisition and asset management of multifamily apartment communities across strategic U.S. markets. A former auditor and Fortune 500 finance professional, Sonya has syndicated and operated 462 units, and served as an equity partner in over 400 additional units, building a portfolio grounded in financial discipline and long-term value creation. The most valuable piece of advice that I have received is that you are your own CEO,…

Taneshia Nash Laird is a transformative leader at the intersection of real estate, cultural equity, and economic development. As Executive Director of Project REAP (Real Estate Associate Program)—the nation’s preeminent initiative advancing diversity in commercial real estate—she is redefining who gets to build, lead, and benefit from the built environment. Over it's 30-year history, Project REAP has helped place over 2,000 professionals of color into commercial real estate careers, tackling head-on one of…

Tawanda Thomas Tawanda Thomas is a commercial lender, former entrepreneur, and real estate investment coach with more than 30 years of experience across real estate law, finance, and sales. As Vice President and Commercial Lending Officer at The Harbor Bank of Maryland, she helps business owners and investors access the capital needed to acquire, develop, or grow their real estate portfolios and businesses—bringing capital and coaching to communities often left out of the…

Tiffany Taylor defines her role in the real estate industry as a bridge between capital and community. For her, the work is about more than closing transactions—it’s about ensuring that overlooked neighborhoods and emerging developers gain access to the resources they need to thrive. As Executive Director of the C3 Impact Fund, Tiffany leads strategic planning, compliance, and capital raising efforts that channel investment into revitalizing distressed properties while preserving affordability and creating…

Wilhelmena “Mena” Norman-Hernandez has built her career at the intersection of advocacy, innovation, and impact. As Vice President and Manager of Community Impact for ACCESS, the Acquiring Capital and Capacity for Economic Stability and Sustainability initiative at The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), Mena is reshaping how capital flows to Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) diverse developers across New York State and beyond. Launched in 2020, ACCESS provides critical predevelopment, acquisition,…