The Progress of Women In Commercial Real Estate Development

Women in commercial real estate development are making amazing strides. Women are taking on roles at every level of development from the hard hats of the job site to the stilettos of the executive suite. Women are becoming owners, CEOs, company presidents, site managers and forewomen, and managing directors. As women grow into this industry, however, they still experience a gap in pay from that of their male counterparts.

This disparity might be attributed to women’s resistance to negotiate for higher rates of pay. Similarly, it might be attributed to women experiencing more resistance as they break ground in real estate development. As women become more steadfast and aggressive in negotiating pay rates, and as the men they negotiate with begin to see their positive impact on the industry, this pay gap will surely become smaller and smaller.

A great deal of construction is taking place in the US, and the women who have the courage and stamina to stand up in this industry will reap amazing rewards and results. If existing male real estate developers refuse to make room for women, the industry will face a self-imposed crisis beyond its current labor shortage. Developers in residential and commercial real estate can no longer afford to ignore the women who bring money, investors, skill, and knowledge to the executive table.

In fact, when women lead from the top levels of development, they pave the way for other women to follow them. When there are more women in development, they are positioned to bring others to every aspect of real estate and construction. When women are at the helm, they make hiring and subcontracting decisions that impact the entire industry.

A growing number of industries are experiencing growing leadership from the women in their ranks. The next generation does not need to experience the standstill of past generations. As the construction and real estate development industries catch up with the times, the women who spearhead this growth close the gender and pay gap, they put a new attraction on the industry for women and girls, and they usher in a whole new generation the industry absolutely needs.