Denver's Women Leading Real Estate Look Forward While Reaching Back

Elizabeth Meyers works as vice president of client experience at Kairoi Residential, specializing in multifamily projects. But she is also a mentor with a penchant for building a more inclusive experience within real estate.

“I passionately mentor women and industry outsiders, empowering them to leverage their unique skill sets to thrive in an industry historically resistant to change,” she said. “Through this dedication, I have not only earned industry recognition but have also contributed to the growth and success of those I mentor, fostering a culture of inclusivity and innovation.”

As a leader at Kairoi, Meyers has been instrumental in driving successful projects and fostering a culture of innovation. She believes in supporting those around her and pushing them to greater heights and is committed to driving innovation and success in multifamily development.

“I hope to continue to make a positive impact on many future and current employees,” she said. “I win when they win, and that is so rewarding to me.”

When she’s not working, Meyers spends time with her children and visits her home state of Montana to hike, fish, camp and other outdoor activities.

Aviva Sonenreich’s mentorship and entrepreneurial spirit have brought her success in the fast-growing world of industrial real estate. As managing broker at Warehouse Hotline, Sonenreich has become known for her leadership and dedication to mentoring others, helping them achieve their full potential.

She employs a creative approach to find solutions in an industry that can be resistant to change.

“I pride myself on my ability to think outside the box, embrace new technologies and adapt to changing market conditions to best serve my clients and stay ahead of the curve,” she said. For example, she uses social media platforms to expand her network and amplify her voice, bringing not just recognition for herself, but results for her clients.

Apart from work, Sonenreich loves spending time with her family and taking advantage of Colorado’s natural surroundings, especially the state’s collection of hot springs. She and her husband are also avid travelers. 

Looking ahead, Sonenreich aims to continue her mentorship efforts, with a particular eye toward fostering diversity and inclusion in CRE. Beyond that, she is committed to delivering quality service to her clients as they navigate the dynamic market industrial players face today.

It has been six years since Laura Newman relocated to the Denver area to open Golub & Co.’s regional office in the Mile High City. She worked for the company in Chicago for four years before venturing west to establish a presence in Colorado. 

“I built the Denver office from the ground-up. Finding our initial opportunities, building a strong development pipeline, immersing myself into the Denver CRE community and ensuring we make a positive impact on our city,” she said. “I am very proud of the team we've built here. We have an amazing team working hard on our development projects and new pursuits.”

Newman attributes her success in the industry to her relationships, a strong moral compass and leveraging data and statistics to make informed decisions.

She hopes to continue expanding the Denver office and taking on new challenges as she supports her team through the ups and downs of CRE market cycles.

“It took decades to build the reputation and portfolio we have in the Chicagoland area, and I look forward to accomplishing similar achievements for us in Colorado,” she said.

With an innovative approach and commitment to client satisfaction, Megan Krest is driven by a consistent desire for improvement and belief in the power of inclusion. 

“I am passionate about what I do and stay curious about ways to learn and adapt to the changing developments across sustainability and ESG that impact the CRE industry,” Krest said.

Krest’s interest in and dedication to the environment mirror her general goals to leave a lasting impact on those around her and drive success for herself, her organization, CRE at large and the communities she is part of. She is also a big  believe in the power of mentorship, learning from others and working to pay it forward to the next generation of women in CRE.

Outside of work, Krest loves being outdoors and spending time with her fiance, friends and her dog, Yogi. She envisions a future filled with continued professional growth, aiming to make significant contributions to the industry as a leader who leverages learning and lifelong experience.

As chief real estate officer at the Denver Housing Authority, Erin Clark is known for taking a people-first approach to her job. She knows that her work has real meaning for the people of Denver and strives to keep community at the heart of what she does. 

“I believe deeply in the importance of housing as a stabilizing force for everything else that we do as individuals, families and communities,” Clark said. “This requires identifying and actively seeking solutions to hard problems and bringing an all of the above approach to delivering higher numbers of quality housing options.”

Clark says her job is her “ideal role,” and finds meaning in improving Denver’s housing stock to meet the needs of a larger group of people. She brings a “both/and” approach to her work, believing that working to reach a common goal produces the best outcome.

“Real estate is not about contracts and dirt.  It’s about people,” she said.

With a varied background ranging from land-use planning to local government, Kristin Sullivan is able to view issues from a variety of perspectives, providing her with an effective communication style well-suited to CRE and its dynamics. 

“I am uniquely suited to help our clients navigate an increasingly challenging and complex regulatory environment,” she said. “I have hired, trained, mentored and developed many professionals in the industry over the years. I've demonstrated that you can forge your own path and create a new norm in the industry when the traditional model does not fit you.”

Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal landscapes and provide strategic guidance has allowed her to break glass ceilings and help other women in the industry down their own paths toward similar success.

She believes that the diversity that comes from incorporating more women in groups of decision-makers leads to better outcomes for all kinds of deals and developments. She is also on the board of Warren Village, a nonprofit that aids single-parent households.

Kristin enjoys spending time with her two boys, ages 11 and 15, taking part in their activities and exploring new places together. In addition, she and her husband attend concerts at Denver venues.

Jordan Swisher’s collaborative spirit and strategic vision have helped her not only grow her own career but create opportunities for others around her. In her capacity structuring deals and facilitating land development at Brue Baukol, Swisher’s team-oriented mindset and dedication have helped her team navigate the challenges and opportunities present in CRE.

“I am flattered to be recognized by my peers in the industry. I feel very strongly about women's empowerment, particularly in regards to finance, and I do mini-trainings and sessions to help bolster confidence in this area,” Swisher said.

When she’s not working, Swisher plays beach volleyball, a slight transition from her days as a collegiate volleyball player. Looking to the future, she aims to continue growing and evolving, focusing on new opportunities for her and her company. Specifically, she plans to seek more public-facing work and run her own projects.

“You are going to be faced with what will seem like insurmountable challenges. Know that you are being called to ‘level up,’ and failing through will lead you to great success and impressive, new thresholds,” she said.

Annie Liston is known for her commitment to fostering a supportive work environment and building operational efficiency at Berkadia. During her time there, Liston has been instrumental in creating a culture that values teamwork and collaboration across the different personalities and backgrounds that exist in CRE.

She keeps an eye on the future by working with youth in the Denver community.

“By sharing my unique story with young individuals, my hope is to alleviate any doubts and to inspire, make a positive impact and contribute to the development of future leaders,” she said.

Liston is heavily involved with industry organizations like CREW Denver and serves as vice president of the CU Real Estate Alumni Network. The connections she maintains through these affiliations allow her to spread the word about real estate as a profession, including to those who might think the career isn’t for them.

A one-time Denver Broncos cheerleader, Liston spends her free time attending sporting events and concerts. 

In the next couple of years, Liston is focused on growing and improving her leadership and managerial skills.

The field of urban planning often makes lasting impacts on cities, which in turn bears significance for residents of the city, both present and future. Diana Rael leverages her expertise and relationships to ensure a thoughtful approach to city-building.

“Looking forward, I hope to continue to build longstanding relationships with people in our industry, and I hope to work towards creating a legacy firm that withstands the tests of time so that new leaders can have the same opportunities that I have had,” Rael said.

A committed mentor to those in her industry, Rael has spent more than 31 years in urban planning and helped build Norris Design into a thriving enterprise with 150 people working in nine offices across the U.S. In an industry that can be highly political at times, she stresses the importance of finding connections and getting acquainted with decision-makers.

Outside of work, Rael spends time with her husband and twin son and daughter. She enjoys playing tennis and golf, going to concerts and traveling. 

With a primary focus on housing, including condos, apartments and affordable housing products, Catherine Bean’s Element Properties is navigating a challenging development market with an eye toward building community.

As principal at Element Properties, Bean is known for her creative approach and team-oriented mindset.

“I'm a big believer in creating community for women in real estate, especially since it's such a male-dominated industry,” Bean said. “Our team is doing awesome work that makes a really positive impact on our community.”

Bean is committed to developing projects that cultivate safety, accessibility and diversity, while bringing more women into the profession of commercial real estate development. She also stresses the idea that development takes patience but is often well worth the wait. 

“Real estate development is the best job in the world. Get to work on it quickly because it takes a long time to see a project come to life,” she said. 

Apart from work, Catherine enjoys spending time with her husband and six-year-old daughter, exploring local parks and community activities. She’s a fan of reading, wine tasting and the University of Virginia.

Kitty Yuen brings more than 30 years of experience to her role as principal partner and studio leader at Ratio Denver. She’s committed to making design accessible to all and building resiliency within herself and her organization.

Ratio works on projects in education, civic construction, hospitality, parks and life sciences.

When she’s not working, Yuen enjoys traveling, dining out and playing with her dog. 

Yuen aims to continue making design accessible to all. She is committed to fostering innovation and excellence in her field, contributing to the growth and success of her community.

Janessa Biller’s contributions to growth and excellence within her team have earned her recognition at her company and in the Denver CRE community as a whole. 

She mentors others in the business, including younger brokers and those who are new to CRE, and aims to offer them some of the wisdom she has gained over the course of her career so far. 

“I’ve always understood that a career in this industry is a marathon and not a sprint,” she said. “Therefore, having a constant reminder of this would have been greatly beneficial throughout my career.”

Outside of work, Biller enjoys spending time with her three-year-old son and entertaining. Originally from Denver, she is also involved with various nonprofits in the area.

Looking to the future, Biller aims to continue growing her client relationships and making meaningful contributions to her industry. 

As senior counsel at Otten Johnson Robinson Neff & Ragonetti, Andrea Horvath brings years of experience and a unique background to her role. 

In her eight years in private practice, Horvath has worked on a wide range of projects with lasting impacts for the city. 

“I am passionate about real estate and advising our clients on the unique issues they face as real estate investors, owners, developers and lenders,” she said. 

The daughter of a Hungarian refugee, Horvath grew up in Wichita, Kansas, before making her way to Colorado. She fell in love with Denver at a young age and enjoys her role in the projects and deals that shape the city’s future. 

Horvath has learned over the course of her career that in real estate, perspective is everything. 

“One year office may be in high demand and retail may be considered ‘dead,’ while the next year office has fallen out of favor,” she said. “However, truly innovative and unique projects withstand the market swings and help build community. I wish I had that perspective earlier and had less tunnel vision seeking out exposure to certain types of deals and projects.”

As principal at Davis Partnership Architects, Ann Adams employs a sincere interest and passion for gaining knowledge and sharing it with those around her. 

“I see knowledge not as a possession but as a responsibility,” Adams said. “Whether it's through mentorship, cultivating an environment of open communication with my colleagues, or even partnering with competitors, I'm dedicated to fostering a collaborative spirit within the industry.”

She also considers her innovative spirit to be a primary contributor to her success. Adams pushes for progress in all aspects of her business, including creative settings, in strategic thinking or working with other team members. 

Getting comfortable with change and doing things in a different way is key to success, according to Adams. Rather than getting hung up on how things have always been done, she encourages younger members of her profession to view challenges as opportunities.

“By staying open-minded, you'll unlock new possibilities and navigate the exciting future of real estate,” she said.

Lauren Fry believes in the power of communication, strategic thinking and getting clear goals along the road to success. With dedication and an innovative approach, Fry has made strides in growing her company’s bottom line while empowering women in the industry.  

“My commitment to the individuals on my team, along with my commitment to provide them with a supportive and collaborative working environment, has allowed each member to become a better version of themselves,” she said. “Because of that, we have helped our customers achieve their largest or most complicated construction or maintenance goals.” 

Along with her role at DCPS, Fry is president of Denver CREW, a responsibility she sees as a concrete example of her commitment to women in CRE. 

“My dedication to our cause, to advance all women in commercial real estate, has paved the way for more women to become stronger leaders, to grow within their careers and to shatter their glass ceilings,” Fry said. 

Amid a career spent in fields like hospitality, finance and construction, Fry intends to continue building roadmaps for female leaders and fostering relationships that offer stability in an unpredictable field.