The Real Estate Council hosted its second Diversity Reception earlier this month at Corgan’s HQ in downtown Dallas; speakers addressed the glass ceiling (no LEED points for those) and how they overcame career obstacles. K Strategies Group prez Katrina Keyes and Jackson-Shaw CFO Michele Wheeler both spoke. Michele, the first female chairwoman for TREC, says she had strong female role models, including a grandmother who owned a Lubbock department store. Her mom was a real estate broker, so Michele thought all women were professionals. She says there were many times she was not invited to the private country clubs, the dove hunts, or the guys’ golf trips, but those days are passed.

Andrews Kurth’s  Tamaron Houston and The Beck Group’s Courtney Emich organized the event, which had 100 executives. Tamaron is working on acquisition of hotel properties, while Courtney works on projects with the Dallas Regional Medical Center and Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.

Comerica Bank’s Kevin Crayton, Inwood National Bank’s Michon Fulgham, and Corgan’s Mitch Paradise. Kevin’s plate is full working on multifamily construction projects, while Michon said she’s working with non-profit affordable housing developer Builders of Hope, which is a TREC beneficiary.