As the status of Dallas-Fort Worth’s commercial real estate landscape rises with the region’s growing profile, industry leaders have been called upon to take on new challenges and work alongside international players.
More than two dozen of those leaders will be honored in August at Bisnow's DFW Women Leading Real Estate Awards. The Aug. 5 event will be the fifth annual awards ceremony honoring the trailblazing women who lead by example and drive exceptional results for their teams.
The event will include an awards ceremony, a keynote address, a panel discussion and ample opportunities for networking. Most of all, it celebrates the talent, mentorship and diversity of this year’s honorees, shining a spotlight on those setting the mark for the next generation in what remains a male-dominated industry.
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Women made incremental gains in representation throughout the industry last year despite companies facing political pushback for promoting initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Bisnow's annual analysis found that across the 100 largest CRE companies in 2025, women held nearly 28% of C-suite jobs and almost a third of board seats, up from 27.3% and 31.8%, respectively, last year.
This year’s event will recognize DFW women from across the CRE ecosystem, including development, construction, brokerage, property management, design, operations and investment.
The 29 honorees were divided into four categories based on their role and experience level: Leader of the Year, Dealmaker of the Year, Innovator of the Year and Rising Star.
Attendees will hear a keynote address from Elaine Agather, global vice chair for the Dallas region at JPMorgan Chase. Agather will talk about how to build influence, own the table and lead terms.
The honorees for each category will be announced at the event, which will also feature a panel of women discussing the outlook for DFW commercial real estate.
This year's honorees are listed below by category.
Leader of the Year
Taryn Anderson, founding partner at Rebees
Kristine Gray, chief financial officer at JNT Construction
Kiesha Kay, founder and CEO of Mission Ridge Consultant
Torrey Littlejohn, North Texas broker lead at JLL
Jessica Navarro, senior vice president at WSP
Rhonda Pratt, co-developer at Women Breaking Ground
Chelby Sanders, managing principal at Cresa
Patricia Zelayandia, business development officer at Texas First Bank
Dealmaker of the Year
Jordyn Allen, leasing director at Crescent Real Estate
Sara Bodzy, senior associate and strategic partnerships director at OTJ Architects
Michelle Caplan, executive vice president at Weitzman
Allison Elko, partner at Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP
Holly Magliolo, co-chair of the leasing and asset management practice group at Winstead PC and a member of the real estate development and investments practice group
Christy Pennington, member at Clark Hill Law
Najdi Rafaty, founder and broker at LiNC Commercial Realty
Innovator of the Year
Maranda Auzenne, president at Transitions Interim Property Management Solutions
Darden Beckham, associate partner and director of community practice at Kirksey Architecture
Gabby Everett, site head and director of business operations and strategy at BioLabs Pegasus Park
Jennifer Sanders, co-founder and executive director at Dallas Innovation Alliance
Pheba Thomas, project director and studio director at Gensler
Amber Wernick, principal and director of interiors at HOK
Sarah Wicker, principal at Perkins&Will
Rising Star
Madison Clark, director of business retention and workforce development at McKinney Economic Development Corporation
Carrie Halbrooks, director of agency leasing at Cushman & Wakefield
Maria Jardon, senior project manager at HITT Contracting
Olivia Loudis, regional vice president of operations at Kairoi Residential
Shaila Manjiyani, partner at MW Law
Casey Mitschke, director of preconstruction at Adolfson & Peterson Construction
Caroline Novak, director at JLL Capital Markets
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