2022 Women in Commercial Real Estate: Marisa Somers, NEI General Contracting

What advice would you offer to women getting into the CRE industry?
The best piece of advice that has always helped me throughout my career is don’t be afraid to ask questions. The industry is full of people with a wealth of knowledge and can be any member of the team from developers to architects and even within the company. Always be a sponge and never stop learning.

What has been your biggest challenge and how have you faced it?
I think the biggest challenge is getting through the stigma that as a woman I must only be a secretary or a lower position within the company. Admittedly the industry has gotten much more progressive since I entered the workforce and it’s been easier to overcome this challenge, but even recently I’ve noticed there seem to be individuals that don’t want to let go of old-fashioned thoughts or misconceptions. I’ve always tried my best to be as professional as possible and let my work speak for itself.