2025 Women in CRE: Honor Merceret, Elkus Manfredi Architects

What drew you to commercial real estate, and what keeps you passionate? Before I joined Elkus Manfredi Architects in 2012, my work concentrated on academic and civic projects, with select multi-family work. Elkus Manfredi’s focus on commercial and academic/industry partnership projects demanded greater skills with data analysis and more opportunity to study people-focused environments. Early on there, I explored urban revitalization with Sepia and Siena at Ink Block in Boston’s South End. This grew to planning all new multi-block environments. I foster passion in my work by looking for new perspectives and methods to support innovation in my day-to-day efforts.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in commercial real estate? Remember the long game. The project of women’s equality in the workplace has not yet been won – most women in the CRE industry continue to have to work harder for the same gains as their male peers. But if a woman is able to find space for the additional commitment -- and she makes certain she’s in an environment where her skills are appreciated and lifted -- it will add depth to her talent and increase her opportunities and her presence, which will in turn inspire even more women.