2023 Women in CRE: Bethany Lyons, Washington Trust

What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? Recently, I’m most proud of my efforts to get my three kids ready for back to school and fall sports, and everything that comes with it! Sometimes, the ability to multitask and balance work and life successfully can be both the most challenging and rewarding. 

Who inspires you most? What qualities do they possess that inspire you? Jimmy Buffet! He embodied the philosophy of living in the now and enjoying life, all while building an extremely successful business. In the craziness of the day to day and the pressures of work and family, I think we can all take a page from his book and “breathe in, breathe out, move on.”

What are the most important factors women in your industry should consider when choosing a firm to build their career with? The most important factor in choosing a firm to build a career with is to find an organization that truly values and invests in their employees. This builds an environment where employees feel valued and motivated to contribute, and you’ll constantly be supported and presented with opportunities for growth as your career progresses.

Why should this nominee be recognized in our Women in Commercial Real Estate Spotlight? “Bethany is an experienced banking professional with extremely strong sales and analytical skills. She has developed a strong base of dedicated clients, especially in the Boston market, not an easy feat for a bank without a branch presence. She seeks innovative solutions to financing requests and is also a strong asset to our bank and industry!” - Julia Anne Slom, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Real Estate Lending Officer at Washington Trust.