ATLANTA—Lori Kilberg, a partner at the Hartman Simons & Wood commercial real estate law firm in Atlanta, began her one-year term as president of CREW Network in January. This also marks her fourth year on CREW's Board of Directors. Kilberg's law practice specializes in retail and mixed-use development and leasing. 

GlobeSt.com caught up with Kilberg to find out what her goals are and how CREW has impacted her career in part one of this exclusive interview. Be sure to come back this afternoon for part two, in which Kilberg will discuss challenges that remain for women in commercial real estate and offer advice to young women rising in the ranks.

GlobeSt.com: What are your goals for your term as CREW president?

Kilberg: My first goal is to continue CREW's positive impact on the commercial real estate industry by increasing leadership and business opportunities for our membership. We currently have nearly 10,000 members and are located in more than 70 markets across North America. We are working with a major university to develop a leadership certification program that will be made available to all of our members at our Winter, Spring and Fall Leadership Summits.

Additionally, cutting-edge and detailed research of women in commercial real estate is one of the real hallmarks of the CREW Network. 2015 marks the preparation and release of our third five–year benchmark study, measuring the accomplishments and satisfaction of women in the commercial real estate industry. We are thrilled to be partnering with MIT on the compilation of this year's study.

GlobeSt.com: How long have you been involved with CREW, and how would you assess the impact of the organization on your career?

Kilberg: I became involved when I moved back to Atlanta in the summer of 2001, after living in Pennsylvania for eight years and working remotely for my law firm. My husband, who worked at Trammel Crow with a woman who was a past president of CREW Atlanta, encouraged me to get involved, knowing it would be a great way to make valuable business contacts and friends in the commercial real estate industry in Atlanta.

However, my involvement really began in earnest during the Great Recession. Development work had virtually stopped, and I was looking for a way to be productive and occupy my time and mind during the downturn, and also position my legal practice for the growth period that was bound to come. After nearly three decades of practicing law, I wanted to challenge myself in a very different way, and discovered a passion for developing programming and leadership opportunities to help women prepare themselves for growth and leadership positions in the commercial real estate industry.

I cannot overstate the importance CREW has had on my career and my personal and professional development. Networking and business development takes place at every level of the organization, leading to expanding business and leadership opportunities across the United States and Canada. More than anything, though, I value the relationships I have made through CREW.