Nashville Women Leading Real Estate Celebration and Cocktail

Rachel Attarian is the Managing Broker and CEO of Nashville Apartment Locators (NAL), where she leads the company’s operations and strategic growth initiatives. She oversees a team of sales agents, mentors and develops new agents entering the industry, and drives expansion by cultivating partnerships with apartment communities and industry professionals across the Nashville market. Since stepping into the CEO role, Rachel has been instrumental in significantly increasing company revenue, expanding NAL’s network of community partnerships, and helping multifamily partners boost their own revenue through higher occupancy and qualified leasing traffic—strengthening both the Nashville commercial real estate market and the multifamily industry as a whole. With decades of combined experience in real estate and customer service, she is recognized for her innovative leadership, collaborative approach, and commitment to delivering exceptional client experiences. Rachel joined NAL in 2017 as a Leasing & Relocation Agent before advancing into leadership. Earlier in her career, she worked in California’s mortgage industry as a loan processor, gaining expertise in finance and underwriting. She also launched her own notary business and served as a personal assistant to a top-producing Los Angeles real estate agent, giving her a strong foundation in both the operational and client-facing aspects of the industry.

Carrie is a placemaker for mixed-use developments where she curates a sense of place and drives value vertically for an asset through retail leasing and merchandising. During her 20+ year career in commercial real estate, Carrie has negotiated over $2 billion in transactions. Prior to joining Foundry, Carrie was the founder of Carrie Bobb & Co. and co-founder of hellojenny. Carrie Bobb & Co specialized in mixed-use developments and evoking emotion through retail leasing. Hellojenny develops digital strategies for commercial real estate by aligning the social media strategy of an asset with the leasing strategy. Prior to starting her own companies, Carrie had been with CBRE in San Diego for 15 years where she worked on projects out of the ground such as One Paseo, The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch, Pacific Gate, Flower Hill Promenade (re-development), Encinitas Village (re-development) and several others. Carrie has completed transactions with retailers such as Sephora, Blue Bottle Coffee, lululemon, Cinepolis, SoulCycle, Fox Restaurant Concepts, Salt & Straw, drybar and several others. She has represented landlords including Kilroy Realty, IQHQ, Bosa Development, Asana Partners, Protea Properties, Heitman, Regency Centers, as well as many others.

Kelly Cathey is a Co-Managing Director of Gensler’s Nashville Office and a Registered Architect. She has spent more than 25 years working across multiple markets including office, retail, mixed use, civic, and industrial, leading teams to deliver relevant, transformational projects. Kelly moved to Nashville in 2011 after more than a decade working in the western U.S, including founding a successful architecture practice in Honolulu, HI. In Nashville, she has been engaged in an unprecedented period of growth and development throughout the city and the region. As an architect and project manager, she has contributed to many signature projects across the city, including the planning and delivery of Circle South Office Tower, Fifth and Broadway, and the Nashville Yards Mixed Use Development which includes Amazon Tower 1 and 2 and Pinnacle Tower 3 Kelly thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with a specialty for driving decisions through effective communication and rigorous evaluation of outcomes. Since joining Gensler in 2022 to open the Nashville office, her leadership has charted a path for continued growth through design excellence and client service. She is passionate about cultivating a culture where hard work, great ideas, and meaningful collaboration yield courageous design solutions. She has served as a member of the AIA Middle Tennessee Board of Directors and the AIA State of Tennessee Board of Directors. Some of Kelly’s fondest memories are linked to her time teaching at the University of Hawaii, and she looks forward to any opportunity to engage in academic discourse with her peers. Kelly graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University’s School of Architecture in May 2000.

Liz Craig is a Vice President with Foundry Commercial and brings more than two decades of experience in retail brokerage. Her career has spanned across multiple service lines with expertise in brokerage business, corporate services, project management, and asset management, providing her with a well-rounded perspective and deep understanding of the industry.

Sheila Dial Barton AIA, LEED AP is a Principal with EOA Architects in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1991, this regional design firm is known for its innovative approach to architectural practice, called humanizing design. EOA’s focus on sustainable and environmental design includes Nashville’s first LEED-Gold high-rise, The Pinnacle at Symphony Place, along with multiple LEED/sustainable projects throughout the Southeast including the $160M Tennessee State Museum. EOA’s current work includes the new Tennessee Performing Art Center (TPAC), the new Tennessee Titan’s Football Stadium, War Memorial and Legislative Plaza Building Renovations, and a new concourse at the Nashville International Airport. First, studying Interior Design at the Art Institute of Atlanta, Sheila later received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Tennessee in 1997 and studied urban planning through UT’s foreign exchange program in Krakow, Poland. Sheila is a member of the ULI (Urban Land Institute), former Chair, and current Governance Chair of ULI Nashville’s 1,120 members. She is an alum of Leadership Nashville, Class of 2023, and has been involved with numerous professional and community organizations including past President of the AIA Middle Tennessee Board of Directors, the Interior Design Advisory Board at O’More College of Design, the Metro Public Arts Committee and former Chair of The DISTRICT.

Jennifer Gaytan is the Midsouth Commercial Services Manager at Fidelity National Title, where she oversees the MidSouth Commercial Services Team and provides expert underwriting support. With over 20 years of legal and title industry experience, Jennifer is licensed in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. She’s known for her strategic guidance and commitment to delivering exceptional service across complex transactions.

Emily Lamb is a dedicated land use and development attorney based in Tennessee. She assists clients in navigating the complex legal landscape surrounding property development and land use regulations. Emily understands the unique challenges and opportunities that Tennessee’s dynamic growth presents. She provides strategic counsel and representation to developers, landowners, and community stakeholders, guiding them through zoning, permitting, and regulatory compliance matters. Whether it's a large-scale commercial development or a single-family home project, Emily brings a thorough understanding of local laws and procedures to ensure her clients' interests are protected and their goals are achieved. Areas of Experience Zoning & Land Use Approvals Development Permitting Regulatory Compliance Land Use Disputes Community Engagement Emily brings a unique blend of public sector experience and legal acumen to her client projects. Prior to entering private practice, she played an integral role in shaping Nashville's landscape as Deputy Director of the Codes Department for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. In this capacity, she oversaw the issuance of nearly $5.5 billion in permits annually, underscoring her deep understanding of the complexities of land use and development in the region. Emily's leadership extended beyond the Codes Department. She effectively managed the mayor-appointed Board of Zoning Appeals and spearheaded the drafting of crucial legislation on behalf of the Codes Department. Her earlier work in the Metropolitan Department of Law further honed her legal expertise, as she represented the city in diverse litigation matters and provided counsel to numerous departments, boards, and commissions. Over a decade of service with Metro, Emily forged robust relationships with key figures across all levels of government involved in land use and planning. This extensive network, combined with her professional skills, enables her to advocate effectively for her clients' objectives. REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE Representation of national, regional, and local developers and homeowners in the development of new residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. Representation of national, regional, and local developers and homeowners in the redevelopment of existing residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. Representation of national, regional, and local companies, developers, and homeowners before governmental agencies, boards, and commissions related to the development of residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects, including rezonings, variances, and other development services issues. Representation of various clients, national, regional, and local, on various government relations needs.

Paola Moya is a Colombian-American entrepreneur, architect, and creative innovator—serving as CEO and Creative Director of Moya Design Partners (MOYA). She is widely recognized for her visionary leadership in the areas of architecture, urban design, interiors, experiential and graphic design, and communication strategies. Background & Education Born in Colombia, Paola moved to the U.S. at age 19. While supporting her family, she completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Architecture at the Catholic University of America and later earned a finance certification from Wharton’s Executive Education program. Design & Entrepreneurial Leadership In 2017, Paola founded Moya Design Partners to anchor design in social purpose and innovative placemaking. As the firm’s CEO and Creative Director, she sets strategic direction, fosters a collaborative culture, and personally drives design outcomes across all projects. Signature Projects & Social Impact Paola’s portfolio includes impactful and highly visible Washington, DC projects—like the adaptive reuse of the historic Howard Theatre, the new Audi Field, home of the DC United soccer team, MGM National Harbor, one of DC’s newest urban parks, Eastern Market Metro Park, Diane’s House (affordable housing), the Downtown Day Services Center (a respite for people experiencing homelessness), and the new DC Department of General Services headquarters. Recognition & Awards Paola’s career is distinguished by numerous accolades: • Power 100 Playmakers and Minority Business Leader of the Year by Washington Business Journal • Winner of the 2022 WAN Female Frontier Awards • Her graduate thesis, honored by NOMA, was featured at the UNsponsored World Humanitarian Summit • Awards from AIA, NOMA, International Design Awards, and more

Melissa Alexander, SIOR serves as Senior Vice President for Foundry Commercial. Considered one of the foremost industrial brokers in Nashville, she leads the Foundry Industrial Brokerage team in her hometown of Nashville, TN. Melissa has more than 16 years of real estate experience focusing on the leasing, sale and development of industrial properties in Tennessee as well as across the US. Melissa got her start in industrial in Memphis, TN where she previously served as Principal of the Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) affiliate there. She served as the only female partner and only female broker in the firm. Melissa has a strong business presence locally and online. She is consistently named one of the top Commercial Real Estate Influencers to follow on Twitter and LinkedIn. In 2018, she launched #CREchat with colleague, Casey Flannery. The monthly chat hosts Commercial Real Estate thought leaders from across the US and has garnered participation and praise from CRE professionals, organizations such as CREW, SIOR, Bisnow and CoStar as two women bringing change and innovation to the industry. The chats have since evolved into a podcast called CREchat Live. Melissa regularly serves as a speaker/panelist for national conferences and media outlets such as GlobeSt.com, Bisnow, Nashville Business Journal, Arco Murray’s Women in Construction, CREI, Drastic Summit and Counselors of Real Estate. Outside of work, you will find Melissa hanging out by a fire pit, watching sports or traveling with her husband, John, and their two children.

Shaped by her degrees in math, philosophy & masters in architecture, Tracey sees the built world as an intrinsic design problem to solve, both functionally & emotionally. Making spaces rooted in intentional engagement is the focus, whether at the scale of Shelby Bottoms Nature Center or the complexity of SRM Headquarters. For her, buildings must connect to their community and site - as seen in the design of Sevier Park CC, Beaman Park Nature Center or Cardwell Mtn State Park Visitors Center.

Lizzy LeBleu is a Vice President at Ojas Partners and a Nashville native. Lizzy began her career at Asana Partners in Los Angeles in leasing and merchandising, then entered the brokerage world at New York City-based Odyssey Retail Advisors. She has done $215M in transaction volume over the last 3 years and has worked with groups like Aviator Nation, Noko, Solidcore, V Modern Italian, Ladybird Taco, Federales, Equinox, Veronica Beard, Antico Vinaio and others. She brings a unique perspective to the Nashville market through her work with both national and local clients, and is committed to excellence in communication, creativity, and thoughtful, targeted strategies for both landlord and tenant representation

Jenna Muller is a Principal and leader in the Nashville Office Brokerage Group of Avison Young. Over the course of her career, she has represented clients in over $1.4 billion in office transactions totaling 5 million square feet. She acts as a strategic advisor to her clients, bringing deep expertise in office leasing and tenant representation, combined with a broad knowledge of real estate through experience spanning two decades. After starting her commercial real estate career in Washington, DC, she became known as a leading commercial real estate advisor in Nashville, where she has built strong relationships for the past nine years while representing transformative real estate investors and leading companies. Her diverse perspective, combined with deep market knowledge, has translated into a proven track record of executing her clients’ strategic objectives and delivering results that positively impact the bottom line. Representative investor clients include Blackstone, Boyd Watterson, CIM Group, Clarion, Cousins Properties, Endeavor Real Estate Group, EQ Office, Granite Properties, Intercontinental Real Estate, Ingram Industries, JP Morgan, New City Properties, and Starwood. Select tenant advisory clients include CoStar Group, Deloitte, iHeartMedia, MedStar Health, Monogram Health, Siemens, and Surgery Partners.

Bronte Prins serves as General Counsel of SomeraRoad, where she oversees all legal affairs across the firm’s portfolio and leads its Human Resources department. Since joining SomeraRoad in May 2024, she has closed more than $800 million in transactions. Previously, Bronte was Chief Legal Officer at Southern Land Company, a national real estate development firm, where she worked on over 30 ground-up development projects and closed $2.5 billion in transactions. She began her legal career in private practice at Clifford Chance in New York City before continuing at Baker Donelson in Nashville. Bronte’s leadership and accomplishments have earned her national recognition. She was named Multifamily Executive’s Rising Star of the Year in 2021, honored with Multi- Housing News’ Rising Star Excellence Award in 2023, and featured on the covers of Multifamily Executive and Vanguard Law Magazine. A graduate of the University of Southern California (B.A.) and Fordham University School of Law (J.D.), Bronte lives in Nashville with her husband, Bill, and their son, Beck.

Nancy Stabell is the founder and lead attorney at Wood Stabell Law Group, bringing more than two decades of experience in law and business to help clients achieve their goals. As an attorney with an M.B.A., Nancy offers more than legal counsel; she provides creative, business-minded strategies that protect stakeholder value and drive growth. Her practice focuses on commercial real estate, corporate law, and mergers and acquisitions. She has been involved in hundreds of millions of dollars of transactions that have defined the Nashville skyline, including the construction and financing of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Nancy takes pride in building collaborative teams to efficiently deliver the caliber of results that large firms offer, but with more personal attention and a better bottom line for her clients. A fourth-generation attorney, she is known for her resourcefulness and deft handling of complex negotiations. Nancy is recognized by Nashville Business Journal’s Best of the Bar, Best Lawyers in America, and Super Lawyers for her excellence in real estate law, business organizations, and mergers and acquisitions. Nancy is a highly respected leader in the Nashville community, currently serving as the Board Chair for both Family & Children’s Service and the Nashville Business Coalition, as well as the Catalyst Chair and Board Member for the Nashville Chapter of the Entrepreneur’s Organization. She is an alumna of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Leadership Law program and the Young Leaders Council. Nancy is an active parishioner at St. George’s Episcopal Church.  Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, entertaining, and traveling with friends and family. Nancy can often be found supporting her son in his activities or out walking Charlotte, the firm’s beloved “pawalegal.”

Jana Truman serves as the Managing Director and Investment Advisor at SVN | Accel Commercial Real Estate. With a distinguished background spanning over fifteen years in marketing and advertising for renowned brands and startups, Jana transitioned to commercial real estate appraising in 2011. Her expertise covers all facets of commercial real estate valuation across various asset classes in Tennessee, providing her investor clients with unparalleled insights. In 2014, fueled by her passion for real estate, Jana expanded her focus to commercial real estate advisement. Currently, she holds the role of managing broker at her own brokerage and, alongside her husband, oversees Accel Exit Advisors, a leading business brokerage firm. Her real estate team comprises highly educated and dedicated brokers, each specializing in distinct areas, supported by a skilled operations crew. Recognized for her industry knowledge and leadership, Jana is a sought-after speaker at educational events and conferences, where she shares her expertise on commercial real estate with associations, nonprofits, investors, and fellow agents. Beyond her professional endeavors, Jana enjoys exploring Tennessee with her husband of over 30 years, engaging in discussions about technology with her four grown sons, and immersing herself in continuous education opportunities. An active member of her community, she dedicates her time to various volunteering initiatives. With a passion for foreign language films and a vibrant creative side, Jana, along with her husband and partner Brian Truman, has been proud residents of Middle Tennessee since 2006. Join Jana Truman on her journey as she continues to redefine excellence in commercial real estate and empower investors, business owners, and entrepreneurs to achieve their financial goals.

Alexa Barnett is a master connector in Nashville’s commercial real estate scene. As the founder of the networking organization CRE615, she has cultivated a vibrant network with over 2,000 members, transforming the way people connect, learn, and grow in the industry. A dynamic speaker, Alexa has taken to the stage for organizations including ULI Nashville, CoreNet Global, National Association of Women in Construction, IFMA and ABC Greater Tennessee, delivering insights on leadership, branding, and the art of meaningful networking. Alexa has been recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader Award winner in Real Estate Services, Nashville Top 30 Under 30, was featured in the Nashville Post’s “In Charge” list of influential people, Belmont Top 100 Alumni Award recipient, is a 2025 NEXT Award finalist and actively involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She raised $27,000 for the Foundation in 2023 and mentored the 2024 and 2025 classes, who collectively raised $700k+ for scientific research.

Jennifer is a dynamic leader with over 17 years of sustainable development & operations experience focusing on performance-driven results. As an executive with international real estate firm Lendlease for 12 years, she led development and sustainability teams to achieve successful project outcomes in world class developments, master planned communities and public private partnerships. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Urban Campus and Core, a development and real estate advisory firm focused on helping clients explore new opportunities, expand existing capabilities, and optimize their real estate footprints. As a Nashville native and graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer has deep roots in the community and has a vested interest in creating inclusive and sustainable growth through innovative community developments. Over the course of her career, she has developed innovative partnerships to design award winning sustainable developments, unique community led real estate projects, and transformational mixed income communities.

Elam Freeman is the Founder and Principal of Ojas Partners, a boutique commercial real estate advisory firm specializing in servicing developers and emerging brands. Clients value Elam’s unique capability of identifying vision aligned partners, understanding evolving neighborhood needs, and tapping her vast national network to craft strategic plans. Elam started her Commercial Real Estate career as a Commercial Property Manager for Elmington Capital Group before becoming an Affiliate Broker at Baker Storey McDonald. Building upon her foundational experience, Elam then embarked on her business plan to work with like-minded Tenants and Landlords who continue to raise the bar for retail in the Southeast Elam stays involved in the community through her contributions to the arts and to nonprofits, such as Artville and Walk Bike Nashville. She is also an active member of Wedgewood Houston, the neighborhood in which she resides. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Pepperdine University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. In her free time, Elam enjoys traveling with her husband.

As Founder and Principal of Divine Construction Group, Amanda Guadarrama is dedicated to guiding clients through the complexities of construction with integrity, trust, and excellence. With more than 15 years of experience and nearly $1 billion in projects managed across higher education, commercial, multi-family, and residential sectors, she has built a reputation for delivering projects that balance efficiency, quality, and purpose. Rooted in her faith, Amanda founded Divine Construction Group on values of honesty, accountability, and service. She brings a hands-on leadership style to every engagement, helping clients navigate preconstruction, construction, and closeout with confidence while protecting their vision and resources. Amanda’s leadership extends beyond her firm. She serves as a Director on the Board of NAWIC Nashville and has been recognized with other industry nominations. Above all, she is most proud of her role as a wife and mother of two daughters, leading with grit, empathy, and authenticity.

Rebecca is Bell Construction’s first female owner and serves as Vice President of Growth & Strategy, leading business development and marketing while driving organizational growth and strengthening BELL’s industry position. She partners with the executive team to cultivate key relationships and advance strategic priorities, playing a pivotal role in building BELL’s brand as a leading Southeast construction company. A recognized industry leader, Rebecca has received the Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence and annual CRE Award, as well as NAIOP’s Developing Leader of the Year, honoring her impact on Nashville and Middle Tennessee’s commercial real estate industry. Committed to community investment, Rebecca serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee, is past president of SMPS, and is active in Nashville Rotary, ULI, and the Metro Nashville Design Review Committee. She also raised over $130,000 for the Nashville Business Incubation Center to support diverse business enterprises in the region.

Megan Salvador is a seasoned commercial real estate professional currently serving as the Regional Real Estate Manager at Wawa Inc. Megan is responsible for overseeing real estate strategies and acquisitions across Tennessee and Kentucky by working with local municipalities, brokers, and developers to ensure successful market expansion on behalf of Wawa. Prior to joining Wawa, Megan was an Investment Sales Broker at CBRE. Her clients included Fortune 100 companies, public REITs, and private entities, where she facilitated large-scale real estate transactions and managed high-profile landlord assignments. Megan’s performance earned her the prestigious NAIOP National Scholarship in 2022, the Nashville Post’s “In Charge List” in 2023 and 2024, and a 2025 Women of Influence winner with the Nashville Business Journal.

Janet Miller has been a key player in Nashville’s commercial real estate community for over 30 years. She joined Colliers Nashville as CEO and Market Leader in September of 2014, following 21 years of service as the Chief Economic Development Officer for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. During that time period, Miller led the ten-county region’s top agency for recruiting new companies to the region and working with existing companies on retention and expansion projects. Miller led a team that was named a top ten economic development group in America for 3 of the last 5 years of her tenure and successfully worked with over 400 corporations on major job-creation projects including Asurion, HCA, Beretta, Mars Pet Care, Nissan, Bridgestone, Dell Inc., BNY Mellon, UBS and numerous others. At Colliers, Miller is responsible for talent development, business and brand development and all operations for the Colliers Nashville office. The Colliers office has 40 brokers and a projected transaction volume for 2015 of $500 million. Prior to her career at the Chamber, Miller was Director of Research and Marketing for Fulton Vaughn Armstrong Angle, a commercial real estate brokerage firm in Nashville.

Born in California, but today calls Nashville, Tennessee home, real estate developer Meg Epstein has over a decade of experience creating efficient, modern lifestyles for people where it matters most: their homes and neighborhoods. Developing and establishing spaces that support whole living and simplify home and work life for individuals is a personal passion of hers.

Rosemary Calcese, is a distinguished legal professional and entrepreneur based in Clarksville, TN, with over two decades of experience in real estate law, development, and business leadership. Rosemary began her career as a JAG paralegal in the U.S. Navy from 2003 to 2011, where she gained extensive legal experience while also serving as an air crewman. Her military background instilled discipline and a meticulous approach to her legal practice. Specializing in complex real estate transactions, Rosemary has successfully managed multi-state land acquisitions, financings, and asset purchases. Her expertise extends to public-private partnerships, multi-million-dollar transactions, tax incentive financing, zoning, and land use planning. In 2021, Rosemary established Calcese & Associates, a prominent legal firm in Middle Tennessee. That same year, she founded Transformation Title and Escrow LLC, a title services company that has since expanded to three locations, including Nashville, TN, and Hopkinsville, KY. Her ability to scale and manage these ventures highlights her strong business acumen. Rosemary's achievements have been celebrated with numerous accolades, including Marquis Who’s Who in America (2024-2025), Main Street Awards - Best Title Company (2024), Microsoft Start - Top 10 Leading Lawyers (2024), Best of Clarksville - Best Title Company (2023), Best of Clarksville - Best Attorney (2023), Most Valuable Employee - Baker Donelson. In addition to her professional success, Rosemary actively gives back through civic involvement. She volunteers with Core Civic, focusing on prison reform and reintegration support, and serves as an Ambassador for Reboot Recovery, where she mentors veterans overcoming trauma. Additionally, she is a board member at Aerial Recovery, providing strategic guidance for their humanitarian initiatives. Through her extensive career and dedication to service, Rosemary Calcese exemplifies resilience, leadership, and the power of faith and knowledge. She remains committed to inspiring individuals to overcome adversity and achieve their full potential.