Volume 3 - Sept. 2023

The survey was distributed globally to commercial real estate professionals in July 2023, with nearly 1,000 women participating. Questions covered ESG and a range of industry topics, asset classes, and disciplines.

Executive Summary

Overall, close to 15% of respondents highlighted that both the value and volume of deal transactions outperformed expectations for the quarter. Across various industry sectors, a clear consensus emerged. The majority of women have voiced moderate concerns, anticipating a possible short or mild recession on the horizon.

Companies continue to face unique obstacles for deal closures. 65% of respondents encountered greater-than-usual difficulties during the third quarter of 2023, which was up from 56% in the second quarter. Notably, the multifamily sector bore the brunt of these challenges. In this sector, over 80% of participants contended with escalated challenges in relation to business deals.

38% of respondents’ companies are executing ESG plans/strategies. The Office and Industrial / Manufacturing sectors reported the highest adoption rates, with 43% and 41% respectively, executing their plans/strategies.

76% of those responding believe improved governance efforts help women succeed in the CRE workplace. When asked about the specific benefits of governance, numerous women highlighted its capacity to enhance awareness and foster essential transparency in areas such as compensation and benefits.