Far from being just another empowerment event, GlobeSt.’s Women of Influence conference is a bustling hub where business is done, strategies are shared, and the next generation of industry leaders is forged.
From its earliest days, Women of Influence set out to be more than symbolic. The event was crafted to place women at the center of deal-making, ensuring they have seats at the tables where capital flows and decisions are made. “We have to be the investors, we have to be the owners, we have to be the developers. It’s the most important role,” says Jena Gardner, who leads the conference’s programming. Her vision is clear: the event is about equipping women to take on these pivotal roles, not just talk about them.
The impact is measurable. According to Gardner, at least half of the attendees are actively making deals on site, with many closing significant transactions during the event. The energy in the rooms is palpable, with sessions that move beyond theory into actionable business.
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In one memorable example, a keynote speaker announced her intent to invest, prompting a multimillion-dollar deal to take shape before the audience. “Some of our highest number of transactions come out of Women of Influence, which is crazy when you think of some of our huge flagship shows,” Gardner notes.
Yet the conference is also acutely aware of the unique challenges women face. Many attendees are part of the so-called “sandwich generation,” balancing careers with caring for both children and elderly parents. This reality has shaped the event’s format, with programming condensed to maximize value and minimize time away from other responsibilities.
“We jam just a tremendous amount of content in a day and a half,” Gardner explains, recognizing that accessibility and efficiency are essential for her audience.
The content itself has evolved, shifting from personal development to a sharper focus on industry intelligence. Technology sessions, once a tough sell in other corners of commercial real estate, are among the most popular at Women of Influence. Attendees are eager to learn about new tools and platforms that can make them faster, more agile, and more competitive. “It’s the tech that’s the differentiator,” Gardner says, emphasizing how women in the industry are embracing change to stay ahead.
But the conference’s influence doesn’t end when the doors close. GlobeSt. has built a year-round ecosystem, using podcasts, newsletters, and a dedicated social media community called The Hive to keep the conversation—and the opportunities—alive.
Central to this ongoing momentum is Gardner's strong belief that sponsorship, rather than mentorship alone, is the critical driver for women's advancement in leadership roles. “Women are underly sponsored and overly mentored. Make yourself a priority. Go get yourself a sponsor,” she urges.
Building on this foundation, Women of Influence has evolved into a powerful launchpad for entrepreneurship. Many attendees leverage the knowledge and networks gained to start their own advisory firms, investment platforms, or lending businesses.
In short, Women of Influence is not just about closing deals—it’s about fostering a community where business success and genuine human connection go hand in hand. The event challenges the perception that commercial real estate is a cutthroat, cash-driven world, revealing instead a community where heart and business go hand in hand. “There’s so much heart behind these transactions,” Gardner says.
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Erika Morphy
Erika Morphy has been writing about commercial real estate at GlobeSt.com for more than ten years, covering the capital markets, the Mid-Atlantic region and national topics. She's a nerd so favorite examples of the former include accounting standards, Basel III and what Congress is brewing.
