2026 Women in CRE: Katie DiPrete and Heather Crook, DiPrete Engineering

What are you most excited about in your work or the commercial real estate industry right now?
As someone who came to commercial real estate from a finance background, I’ve enjoyed seeing firsthand how much innovation is happening across the industry. I’ve been involved in technology and process improvement initiatives that have shown the power of better data, stronger collaboration, and smarter decision making. What excites me most is being part of an industry that helps shape communities through housing, infrastructure, and redevelopment projects. It’s rewarding to see how thoughtful planning and innovation can create lasting value for businesses, residents, and our region as a whole.

What advice or perspective would you share with women building their careers in commercial real estate?
Don’t underestimate the value of bringing a different perspective to the table. Commercial real estate depends on expertise from finance, operations, engineering, development, and project management. You don’t need to follow a traditional path to make a meaningful impact. Ask questions, seek out mentors, and embrace opportunities that stretch your skills. Some of the greatest growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, trust the experience you’ve already built. Diverse backgrounds strengthen the industry, and your unique perspective may be your greatest asset.

What has helped shape the way you approach your work and career?
Throughout my career I’ve learned that the most effective leaders focus not only on results, but also on people, processes, and purpose. Working across industries has strengthened my appreciation for adaptability, continuous learning, and building strong relationships. Each career transition has brought new challenges and opportunities to learn from people with different perspectives. Today, I focus on understanding the broader business context, asking questions, and finding solutions that support both organizational goals and the people behind them.

What has helped shape the way you approach your work and career?
Leading project reflection discussions has had a big impact on my growth. They give me an opportunity to look at what worked, what didn’t, and how I can improve on the next project. They have reinforced that successful projects depend on more than good engineering. Communication, teamwork, planning, and understanding client goals are all critical to a successful outcome. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to identify and address risks and challenges early rather than react to them later.

What advice or perspective would you share with women building their careers in commercial real estate?
There is a learning opportunity in every project. I’ve found that some of the biggest lessons come from working through challenges and figuring out what could have been done better. Taking the time to look back on completed projects and reflect on what worked and what could be improved is one of the best ways to continue growing professionally. I believe in focusing on continuous improvement, as small improvements made over time can have a bigger impact than any single accomplishment.