Spotlights

Featured Women-Owned Businesses: Studio G Architects

What inspired you to start your firm, and how has your vision evolved over the years? Studio G Architects was founded on the belief that architecture should improve lives, not just buildings. From the beginning, our mission has been to design spaces that are inclusive, sustainable, and deeply connected to the people and communities they serve.

2025 Women in CRE: Amy Oakley, Esq., Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why? The most rewarding projects have been multi-family housing deals I closed over a decade ago and continue to counsel today.

2025 Women in CRE: Allison Fleet, Esq., Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP

What drew you to commercial real estate, and what keeps you passionate? I was drawn to commercial real estate by the intersection of business, strategy, and the built environment. It shapes how people live, work, and interact – and offers a chance to drive growth and transformation. I enjoy the complexity of deals, the fast pace, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.

2025 Women in CRE: Carol Justic, Colliers

What’s a challenge you faced early in your career, and how did you overcome it? Early in my career, I was controller for a small CRE firm, reporting directly to an owner whose unpredictable style created tension with staff and managers alike.

2025 Women in CRE: Abigail Bachman, Colliers

What drew you to commercial real estate, and what keeps you passionate? The world of commercial real estate is fast-paced and constantly changing - every day brings something new. I love that you’re never done learning, whether it’s about the industry or the clients you serve.

2025 Women in CRE: Cassandra Farley, Colliers

What drew you to commercial real estate, and what keeps you passionate? Commercial real estate brokerage offers endless opportunities to learn, and that’s what initially drew me in and continues to keep me passionate.

2025 Women in CRE: Abigail Woodman, Colliers

What drew you to commercial real estate, and what keeps you passionate? I moved into CRE to build on my operations background while keeping the flexibility my family needs. The commercial side – more strategic (perhaps less emotional) than residential – suits me: complex leases, data-driven site selection, multi-party negotiations

2025 Women in CRE: Bethany Lyons, Washington Trust

What drew you to commercial real estate, and what keeps you passionate? I enjoy hearing a developer’s vision and being a part of making that vision a reality. I think most developers would say that a strong relationship with their lender is crucial in this business and I thrive on being able to execute and find creative solutions to make deals happen for my clients.

2025 Women in CRE: Laurel Bowerman, Washington Trust

>What drew you to commercial real estate, and what keeps you passionate? I started my career in a bank training program in which I rotated through all the banking departments. I was passionate about commercial real estate (CRE) from my first day of training in CRE. I loved being able to visit the real estate and “touch the tires” so to speak.

2025 Women in CRE: Elizabeth Stanbrook, Washington Trust

What drew you to commercial real estate, and what keeps you passionate? I was first introduced to commercial real estate (CRE) during a college finance course. This class sparked a career path that combines my interest in financial analysis with my desire to have a lasting impact on the community. In an increasingly virtual world,