7:30 AM: Welcome, Breakfast, Networking
8:00 AM: Women in Commercial Real Estate – Leaders & Pioneers
Erica Dunlap, AERES Real Estate
Lynn Drake, Compass Commercial, LLC
Shannon Selby, Detroit Regional Partnership
Moderator: Shannon Selby
- Detroit’s CRE Landscape: Opportunities and challenges for women in today’s market
- Personal journeys and lessons from women who have helped shape Michigan’s commercial real estate industry
- Breaking through barriers and creating new opportunities for women in CRE
- Negotiation strategies for compensation, promotions, partnerships, and professional recognition
- Building your personal brand, network, and reputation in a competitive industry
- Navigating market cycles, economic shifts, and changing opportunities throughout your career
- What’s Next: Advice from industry leaders for the next generation of women in CRE
8:50 AM: Women in Development, Construction & Design
Leslie Horn, Three Squared, Inc.
Tarolyn Buckles, A.M. ASCE
Linda Rosati, BOLDT
Kathy Makino-Leipsitz, Shelborne Development
Maria D’Agostini Lukosavich, D’Agostini Companies
Moderator: Leslie Horn
- Women leading the development, construction, architecture, and design of Michigan’s next generation of projects
- Recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and retaining women across the industry
- Building high-performing teams and creating more inclusive workplace cultures
- How women are driving innovation, collaboration, and stronger project outcomes
- The business case for increasing women’s leadership in construction, development, and the trades
- Leadership strategies for women navigating traditionally male-dominated sectors
- Career advancement, mentorship, and lessons learned from successful women in development and construction
9:40 AM: Break
9:50 AM: Women in Commercial Real Estate Professional Services
Theresa Sopata, RPM Living
Tori Manix, Plante Moran Realpoint
- Women driving successful transactions and delivering results for CRE clients
- Building credibility, expertise, and a strong professional reputation
- Winning business and developing long-term client relationships
- Navigating competitive, high-pressure environments while advancing your career
- Negotiation strategies for deals, compensation, leadership opportunities, and client relationships
- Standing out and creating opportunities in brokerage, finance, legal, accounting, engineering, property management, and other CRE services
- From Professional to Leader: Strategies for taking the next step in your career
10:40 AM: Women in Economic Development & Community Growth
Cristia (Tia) Brockway, City of Farmington Hills
Beth Kmetz-Armitage, Michigan Central
Vicky Rowinski, Macomb County
Laura Dodd, Oakland County, Michigan
Sarah Pavelko, Eastern Market Development Corporation
- Women leading Detroit and Michigan’s economic development and revitalization efforts
- The role of women in shaping development policy, investment, and community growth
- Securing public funding, grants, incentives, and private investment for transformative projects
- Building partnerships between the public and private sectors to drive development
- Supporting women-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and underserved communities
- Workforce development and creating stronger career pathways across Michigan
- The Future of Detroit: How women leaders are shaping the region’s next chapter
11:30 AM: Adjourn