THRIVE! WOMEN
BEHIND EVERY WOMAN
IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Melissa Swader | Founder A visionary who created a national network & recognizable brand to
EMPOWER the WOMEN in CRE
RECOGNIZING LEADERS & INFLUENCERS #WOMENINCRE JANUARY 2024 | ISSUE 01
WOMEN WHO ARE THRIVING
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January 2024
ISSUE 01
FROM THE EDITOR I am thrilled to welcome you to the inaugural edition of THRIVE, a dedicated space created to empower and celebrate the incredible women shaping the landscape of the commercial real estate industry. As we embark on this journey together, our mission is clear: to foster a community that amplifies the voices, achievements, and aspirations of women professionals in this dynamic field. In an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated, it is high time to highlight the remarkable contributions of women who bring their expertise, innovation, and leadership to the forefront. THRIVE is not just a online publication; it is a platform designed to connect, inspire, and uplift the talented women who navigate the complexities of commercial real estate. We pledge to deliver thought-provoking insights, in-depth interviews with trailblazers, social media marketing trends, and valuable resources to aid your professional journey. Whether you are a seasoned executive, an emerging leader, or someone considering a career in commercial real estate, this newsletter is tailored to engage everyone. Join us as we explore success stories, share knowledge, and address the challenges faced by women in the industry. Together, we will foster an environment where every woman in commercial real estate can thrive, find mentorship, and contribute to the evolution of the commercial real estate industry. We are here to EMPOWER Women! Thank you for being part of this empowering community. We look forward to embarking on this exciting journey with you and making THRIVE a go-to resource for women in commercial real estate........ And for more men to join in our effort and empower more women.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FOUNDER, WOMEN IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE #WOMENINCRE
President & CEO | Ruby Red Media
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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WHO WE ARE
2023 TOP SPONSORS
TOP 25 WOMAN IN CRE CONTRIBUTORS
Highlighting those supporting our monthly WICRE calls
Recognizing the TOP 25 women contributors on our social media platform
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WOMEN WHO THRIVE! CONGRATULATIONS!
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
Learn how we got started and where we are heading
07 ARTICLE: THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA Read how social media has been a catalyst to growing our national brand
Find out who the first recipients to be recognized for their leadership & achievements
Never miss an issue! Get the latest CRE news. Welcoming Sponsors & Business Partnerships
ISSUE 01
November 2025
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Here's to breaking barriers, shattering glass ceilings, and building a future where every woman's potential in the commercial real estate industry is not only recognized but celebrated.
WHO WE ARE The Women in Commercial Real Estate - #womenincre is a social media platform designed to bring more women in CRE together to get the support that women need. It all started in January 2020 with one idea that I could create a digital platform where women could stay connected more frequently and have the ability to turn to each other for support. The Facebook group was officially launched in the summer of 2020 and today, has grown into one of the most recognizable brands that empowers the women working in the CRE industry. From top producers, to emerging leaders, trailblazers, speakers, authors, influencers and changemakers, these women are proactive on our group to help one another each and every day. ~Inspire - Motivate - Encourage - Elevate - Collaborate and Celebrate our Wins Together!
We welcome everyone working in the commercial real estate industry. If you are a service provider, please contact us so you can learn how to get more involved and in front of our network.
AND IT’S FREE
TOP SPONSORS 2023 MONTHLY ZOOM CALLS
DOTENE STEPHENS
Dotene Stephens is the national advisory chair for the Commercial Retail Division of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties. She has been responsible for site selection for Big Box (anchor) users and keeps a daily pulse on Big Box activity. She has extensive background in land assemblage, shopping center sites that included anchors such as Walmart/Sams, Home Depot, Lowe's and Publix. Dotene primarily represents big box retail tenants. Dotene serves as a mentor for many women in CRE.
MONICA MAY-DUNN Monica May-Dunn is the Owner, CEO, and CFO of Arizona Escrow and Financial Corporation (AEF). With a remarkable career spanning over three decades, Monica's expertise and leadership have propelled AEF to the forefront of the escrow and financial services industry. She joined the company in 1990, initially serving as the assistant to the Controller before swiftly rising through the ranks to become the Controller herself in 1992. Recognizing her exceptional skills, Monica was appointed as the VP/CFO in 2000, solidifying her pivotal role within the organization.
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January 2024
ISSUE 01
RECOGNIZING THE TOP #WOMENINCRE CONTRIBUTORS - 2023 BY MELISSA SWADER | FOUNDER (names in no particular order)
PRESIDENT & CEO | RUBY RED MEDIA
Dotene Stephens Lynn Ritcher Erika Baez-Grimes
CO
TOP NTRIBUTORS
Carmen Elliott Joanna Harrison
Amber Brandhagen
Heather Schwartz Taylor
Judy Cazeau
Kristin Geenty
Amanda Weaver
Crystal Givens
Jenni Fregin-Fleischman
Shana Patrick
Christine Hensen
Antje Gehrken
Alicia Shepherd
Cathey Kuo
Nadja Wirth
Chiara Petro Christine O'Connell More Joey Soller Christina Brooks Elizabeth Leder Sabo Michelle Pacheco Lauren Coombs
ISSUE 01
January 2024
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“VOICE”
HOW SOCIAL MEDIA HAS CREATED A FOR THE WOMEN IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE In today's dynamic digital landscape, social media has emerged as a powerful catalyst for brand growth, providing a unique avenue for organizations to showcase their highlights and share compelling narratives.
AMPLIFYING INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS WHILE BUILDING OUR BRAND
Our platforms have been a global stage where we have created platforms to reach our audiences on multiple channels to showcase our proudest moments and milestones.
THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA STORYTELLING
Social media platforms has become the modern storyteller's canvas, allowing our brand to craft narratives that resonate with our audience. We have been able to use our social media platforms a sense of transparency and relatability; providing key ingredients in building a loyal and invested audience.
From new listings, closed deals, collaboration opportunities, events to achievements and recognitions, these highlights are to help share incredible CRE news for others to read about. Our goal is to work with other brokers around the country, collaborate and build new long-term relationships in the process. You Follow Us, We Follow You!
January 2024
BEHIND EVERY WOMAN
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ISSUE 01
REAL ZOOM CALL OF THE #WOMENINCRE
Bringing the Women in CRE together for 1-hour every month to discuss real topics & trends in the industry. BY MELISSA SWADER
WOMEN WHO ARE THRIVING Recognizing women leaders, trailblazers, changemakers, speakers, authors & influencers who are making an impact in the commercial real estate industry. I am so proud to reach another incredible milestone for the women in commercial real estate. After a few years, I felt it was important to highlight and feature some of the most incredible women in the CRE industry so more people can read about them. The women selected to be featured is solely based on their social media transparency and presence. This includes sharing listings, closed deals, events, achievements, community involvement, and so much more. The one thing we strive for is accountability. As a result, if they do work, they deserve the recognition.
ISSUE 01
January 2024
THRIVE!
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YOU DID NOT COME THIS FAR, TO ONLY COME THIS FAR. -Unknown
~Favorite Quote
DOTENE STEPHENS Chairman, Commercial Council National Advisory Group, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services - Commercial Division
Dotene Stephens has been one of most supportive women on our platform since inception. She was one of inaugural members on our Facebook group and has not stopped advocating for the #womenincre since she joined. BHHS has also been a supportive sponsor for our zoom calls, where she shares valuable information to help other women with their production, time management and other best practices.
Named 2023 OTSO Women of Influence
Dotene has served as a mentor to many of the women in our network and her 27+ years experience in CRE has been invaluable. Be sure to connect with her on LinkedIn where she is actively engaging and supporting others in CRE and you can also find her on Instagram and X.
WOMEN WHO ARE THRIVING
2022 National Recognition at the Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Annual Conference. Commercial Division
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THRIVE!
January 2024
ISSUE 01
JAN GIBBONS President, REATA Commercial Realty, Inc.
Jan is a perfect example of a woman running the business, while still creating a unique brand within their commercial real estate brokerage, the Texas Tenant Reps. #texastenantreps Gibbons also dubbed the tagline for the EMPOWERING Women in Commercial Real Estate monthly zoom calls, “The fastest one-hour of your month.” In 2023, she was named DFW’s Leading Women in Real Estate by Bisnow, that recognizes her dedication, leadership and community involvement. If you want to learn more about the tenant representation side of the real estate business, then you can watch or listen to her “Learning Podcast” which can be seen on their YouTube Channel, Spotify, Apple, Anchorfm and many others. She is joined by her husband, Bob Gibbons, SIOR, CCIM and published author.
PODCAST HOST ON YOUTUBE CONFESSIONS OF A RECOVERING LANDLORD www.youtube.com/@TexasTenantRep
WOMEN WHO ARE THRIVING
ISSUE 01
January 2024
THRIVE!
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ERIKA BAEZ-GRIMES Business Broker Transworld Business Advisors
Erika is a professional business intermediary with over 20 years of sales and entrepreneurial experience. She has successfully delivered award winning results working with a variety of companies, in categories including: Finance, Aviation, Acquirers, Retail, Advertising, B2B service, Healthcare, Real Estate, Manufacturing, Inventory Control, Digital Transformation, and Emerging Technologies. Erika has been a valuable asset on our monthly zoom calls as well. She offers great advice on how she promotes her business and creates conversations that leads to new clients.
Sales Mentor - Biz Broker Franchise Broker @erika_thebizbroker
You can also find her short vlogs on her Instagram channel, where she shares a wealth of knowledge in her field; sharing here favorite books, to sharing about her own professional ventures as a business owners herself.
“SPEECH IS POWER: SPEECH IS TO PERSUADE, TO CONVERT, TO COMPEL.” -RALPH WALDO EMERSON Using her short vlogs on Instagram to share insight into the industry
WOMEN WHO ARE THRIVING
ISSUE 01
January 2024
THRIVE!
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LYNN RITCHER Broker, Commercial Real Estate Solutions, LLC
Lynn began her career in commercial real estate in 1973 when she joined Metropolitan Life Insurance in Chicago, Illinois. In 1988 she relocated to MetLife’s St. Louis Regional Office as a Senior Asset Manager, where she was directly responsible for a diversified real estate portfolio in excess of $534 Million. In 2022, Lynn decided to start her own commercial real estate brokerage and where she continues to put her experience, knowledge and resources to work in the best interest of her clients. Lynn’s general brokerage production tops over $1 Billion in Commercial Real Estate Transactions over her career.
Featured in the Real Estate Bees How to overcome challenges? Without his selfless guidance, good advice, and accountability, I do not know if I would have survived an additional 30-plus years in this industry. Every new agent or broker has to have a mentor. A good mentor. One who looks first at the success of the mentee vs what is in it for them.
Lynn is incredibly active on the Facebook group where she writes out her thoughts on trending topics in CRE. She puts it all out there in order to share her best advice for emerging leaders who are still learning the business. 10/23 - Success Stories
WOMEN WHO ARE THRIVING
ISSUE 01
January 2024
THRIVE!
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AMBER BRANDHAGEN Principal & Chief Operating Officer NAI Global Wireless
Amber has completed in excess of $200 million in lease sales and related transactions and manages around $50 million in assets. All while still taking the time to mentor and motivate other women in commercial real estate (CRE), and to bring her own special blend of drive and determination to everything else she does in her day-to-day. Last year, she was the first recipient of the Women’s Alliance Champion Award – a new accolade that recognizes the hard work and dedication of one member of the Women’s Alliance at NAI Global. The award is intended to showcase qualities of outstanding leadership, business achievement, and personal growth. In other words: the markers of truly exceptional talent. Amber’s commitment truly shows as she continues to take a big part in helping advocate for the Women in Commercial Real Estate. She has contributed to many of the monthly zoom calls, as well as being an active member of the Facebook group. She stated that women have natural leadership abilities, and the creativity and flexibility to find innovative solutions to problems. HER ADVICE: Use your unique strengths and personality to create working relationships that will grow your business.
WOMEN WHO ARE THRIVING
ISSUE 01
January 2024
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@Collin baker
COMMERCIAL
WATERFRONT TEMPE TOWN LAKE | TEMPE, AZ
January 2024
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CINDY'S ROOFTOP CHICAGO, IL
@Goth @Collin Oscuro Thompson
ISSUE 01
January 2024
16
SUMMIT ONE VANDERBILT
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ISSUE 01
NEW YORK CITY **Submit your developments to be featured
MERCH STORE (100% proceeds empower the #womenincre)
www.women-in-cre.creator-spring.com
There are almost 900 members on our Facebook group, which is our home base for our National network. With so many stories, videos, and CRE news, we wanted to make sure you could find us no matter where you are located.
NEW
SWAG DROP
It‘s official! We now have our own YouTube Channel, where you will be able to watch our videos, new listings, drone videography, webinars, workshops and live streams that feature the #womenincre!! Stay tuned for more information but for NOW, please be sure to subscribe to our new channel! We can’t wait to start uploading and have many of you on our channel as features & guests!
www.youtube.com/@WomenInCRE
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January 2024
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November 2025
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EMPOWERING THE WOMEN IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
INSPIRE - ENCOURAGE - MOTIVATE - CELEBRATE
THRIVE! A new #womenincre cover in every issue - Coming March Who will it be?