'Excellence, Collaboration And Integrity': SIOR Taps Saadia Sheikh As New Global President

As commercial real estate heads into 2026, the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, or SIOR, has big plans — spearheaded by Saadia Sheikh, the new global president.

“The main goal for my presidency is expanding our footprint,” Sheikh said. “We must continue to grow our reach, strengthen our international network and deepen the impact in every market we serve.”

SIOR is wrapping up 2025 stronger than ever, with 4,000-plus members in 52 countries and a 97% year-over-year retention rate. International membership increased by nearly 20%, alongside a 27% increase in female membership. Membership for those under 35 years old also rose by 29%. But under Sheikh’s leadership, the organization is hoping to outpace these figures.

Sheikh is a 16-year industry veteran and founder of Powersense, a commercial real estate advisory and consulting firm with presences in Dallas and New York. She has been a member of SIOR since 2017 and part of the SIOR New York City chapter since 2023, specializing in office tenant representation, corporate services and consulting. Prior to being tapped as the youngest global president for SIOR, Sheikh was also SIOR’s youngest female vice president to date. 

Bisnow spoke to Sheikh to learn more about her vision for SIOR and what trends she sees as most transformative for the office and industrial sector, as well as what her presidency signals to women entering or growing in the industry.

Bisnow: As you step into the role of global president, what excites you most about leading SIOR?

Sheikh: It is the opportunity to harness SIOR’s global platform to connect our members, share knowledge and elevate the standard of excellence in CRE brokerage worldwide. It’s about ensuring our members remain not just competitive but ahead of the curve. Together, we’ve built meaningful progress, and I believe SIOR is poised to set new standards in innovation, inclusivity and impact. I’m proud to help guide an organization that continues to raise the standard for excellence in industrial and office real estate.

Bisnow: How would you describe your vision for SIOR, and how does it build on the organization’s current trajectory?

Sheikh: My vision is to build on SIOR’s strong foundation of excellence, collaboration and integrity while shaping the future of our profession. We are already recognized for our elite membership and global reach, but I want to amplify our voice as leaders in CRE. That means strengthening connections, investing in technology and innovation, and continuing to attract talent to ensure our membership reflects the markets we serve. My goal is for SIOR to keep elevating the next generation of leaders in CRE. We want to be a place where members don’t just respond to market change but drive it.

It’s just as important that we embrace the technological innovation that will mold the future of our profession and ensure that SIOR’s representation reflects the broad range of talent and perspectives that define our industry. I’m dedicated to supporting future SIOR leaders and bolstering engagement at the chapter level. This is where so much of our impact starts.

Bisnow: What do you hope your presidency signals to women and young professionals entering or growing within the industry?

Sheikh: I hope my presidency sends a clear signal: Everyone belongs here. Women and young people, and truly anyone building their career in this industry, belong at every table in commercial real estate. Representation matters, and so does recognition that each person, regardless of title or tenure, has something valuable to contribute. If my time in this role inspires even one person to realize their potential and lift others along the way, that’s impact. For women especially, I know how powerful it is to see leadership reflected, to see someone who looks like you in a role you aspire to. It’s a reminder that you belong here, too.

I’ve found this community to be one of the most valuable parts of my career. SIOR has been more than a designation for me. It has been a community that has shaped my career, expanded my perspective and given me lifelong friendships. For women and young professionals entering or advancing in CRE, I want them to see this moment as proof that their ambitions are not only valid but vital as we work to uplift their careers and shape them into the next generation of CRE leaders.

Bisnow: What do you see as the most transformative trends or patterns shaping these sectors right now?

Sheikh: The office and industrial sectors, in addition to almost every other sector of CRE, are experiencing a rapid transformation due to artificial intelligence and other technological innovations. Predictive maintenance measures, AI automation and property maintenance tools are changing the way we do business and will continue to do so for years to come. 

Hybrid work models will continue to be the way of the future, with Class-A assets in prime locations leading the market in almost every U.S. region. Tenants want premium spaces that encourage in-person collaboration, foster a positive workplace culture and are close to desirable amenities. 

Though office assets have generally had a turbulent past few years, the tides are shifting. We’re excited to see how the market will play out in 2026 and the tremendous impact SIOR members will make moving forward.

Industrial assets are in a healthy position. Leasing has slowed slightly, but demand is proving to be resilient overall, with many owners and investors ranking this asset class among their top choices for investment as we head into 2026. The reshoring trend is one that we expect will be around for the foreseeable future, so we expect this asset class will be strong and favorable moving forward. 

Bisnow: You’ve spoken about investing in the next generation of SIOR leaders. What qualities or skills do you believe will define the future of leadership within SIOR?

Sheikh: A great leader embraces both people and innovation, knowing that technology is only as powerful as the humans behind it. The leaders who will define SIOR’s future are those who lead with empathy, curiosity and courage to do things differently. Success as a broker means to not only grow your client base but to constantly be finding new ways to do business and really addressing what clients, occupiers and companies are trying to solve for. 

You need to have a mindset that everyone’s role on a team matters and everyone has something to contribute. The leaders who will thrive are the ones who can adapt quickly and inspire others along the way. 

The future of SIOR will be defined by connection between people, ideas and opportunity. Together, we’re not just adapting to change — we’re leading it, shaping what’s next for our industry globally.

This article was produced in collaboration between SIOR and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.