IRVINE, CA—“Today, women are being upheld as the industry professionals they are, and they are increasingly holding upper-management positions,” Adriana Olsen, VP of marketing for Passco Cos. LLC and Passco Capital Inc., tells Real Estate Forum, GlobeSt.com's sister publication. Olsen was one of many women Forum recognized as Women of Influence 2014.

With more than a decade of experience working in the real estate investment industry, Olsen brings a superior level of knowledge and expertise to the investors she serves. In the past 12 months alone, she has helped Passco Cos. raise more than $96 million in capital for its commercial real estate investments.

“When I started working in the commercial real estate industry, I began to attend all the national industry conferences each year,” says Olsen. “It was immediately apparent that women were in the minority at these events. Over time, however, I've seen a dramatic increase in women attendees at these events. Moreover, women's roles in the industry have deepened and multiplied.”

Olsen adds the result is a shift in the industry as a whole. “The days of the commercial real estate 'good old boys' have now passed. Today, the influence and fresh perspective women bring to the table can be felt in every aspect of the commercial real estate industry.”

Olsen's path to her current role began when she answered an Internet ad for a real estate marketing position. Now, 11 years later, she has grown her position and responsibilities at Passco and is an essential leader within its marketing team. She and her team have raised more than $27 million for the acquisition of apartment community Vue 21, the largest family multifamily transaction in the Colorado Springs market's history to date.

Olsen's ultimate career goal is to progress into the national sales manager position at Passco. She looks forward to the opportunity to lead a larger team of sales associates and plans to develop a team of wholesalers in-house.