2026 Women in CRE: Featured Company - J. Calnan & Associates

At JC&A, every team member is essential. We’re excited for this opportunity to tip our hard hats to some of the incredible women on our team who are breaking barriers, sparking innovation, and shaping the future of construction management. Together, we challenge norms, strengthen communities and lift each other up. www.jcalnan.com

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What advice or perspective would you share with women building their careers in commercial real estate?
I would give women getting into the CRE industry the same advice I would give to anyone coming into it. In this industry, it’s all about relationships. Be patient and take the time to develop meaningful relationships. These relationships can take months, even years, to build. Always be authentic and genuine in your approach. People want to do business with people they know and trust. Some of my closest friends started as business relationships that developed over time. You’ll see it will be well worth the wait!

What advice or perspective would you share with women building their careers in commercial real estate?
The best tool in your bag is confidence. Be confident in yourself, in your decisions, and in your ability to do the best job possible. If you believe in yourself, others around you will pick up on that attitude and mirror it with trust. Rarely do you hear men talk about the ‘imposter syndrome’, yet I have met some incredibly successful, smart women who still feel like they might not be as capable as their male counterpart. In today’s world, we have no room for that. Surround yourself with a like-minded group of focused, successful women and build each other up.

What professional accomplishment or experience are you especially proud of?
Having the opportunity to manage a project out of the ground - the lab development for Anchor Line at 245 5th Ave. - was daunting at times, challenging at times, but most of all thrilling! There is something so special about watching your work come to life, from breaking ground, through steel erection and through the build out of lab space, which is a cool project just on its own. The feeling is not dissimilar from how I feel watching my own sons grow!

What advice or perspective would you share with women building their careers in commercial real estate?
Know your value and never be afraid to advocate for yourself. Construction and commercial real estate can be complex, and every project is different, but your perspective and experience matters. Build strong relationships, ask the question, and have the confidence to speak up at the table. And when you get there, make room for others. Support, mentor, and champion the women coming behind you. Success is even more meaningful when you help others succeed.

What are you most excited about in your work or the commercial real estate industry right now?
I have spent the better part of my career at JC&A working in the life sciences sector, which has been an incredible season of growth and learning. Recently, I was promoted to Project Manager and I am so excited to take on this new challenge! The Life Sciences vertical is at such an interesting stage right now and being smack in the middle of the innovation is truly fascinating. I’m also looking forward to growing my own network, starting with attending the PLA! for Ellie event in October!

What are you most excited about in your work or the commercial real estate industry right now?
From the contractor side of commercial real estate, I’m most excited about AI’s potential to streamline processes, analyze information more efficiently, and help my team spend less time on administrative work and more time solving problems and building. While we are still in the early stages of understanding AI’s full impact on our industry, I’m eager to use it as a tool to improve project efficiency and create a competitive advantage.