Panel Discussion: Austin Women at the Helm

Highlighting the leaders whose insights, influence and innovation are driving transformation across the CRE market

• HONOREE: LEADER OF THE YEAR

  Kelli Morrison

  Principal, Property Tax

  Ryan

• 

  Lauren Brunner

  Lauren is the driving force behind The Retail Strategy, serving as its Principal Broker, CEO, and Founder since its inception in 2009. With nearly two decades of experience in retail real estate expansion, she has established herself as a trusted advisor dedicated to helping clients exceed their expansion goals. In this time, Lauren has consulted on retail expansion and site selection in every major market, as well as most of the secondary markets across the country.

  The Retail Strategy

  Founder & CEO

  HONOREE: LEADER OF THE YEAR

  Lauren Brunner

  Founder & CEO

  The Retail Strategy

• 

  Megan Lasch

  Megan Lasch, owner, and principal of O-SDA Industries, has more than 15 years of experience in the affordable housing industry. Megan is a long-term developer/ owner/operator of affordable housing. Megan has a background in engineering, project management, real estate analysis, and design and has financed and closed more than $1B over 43 developments in Texas. Megan received her Bachelor’s degree in Biosystems Engineering from Oklahoma State University. She began her career as a civil engineer , where she helped design a variety of public and private development projects before starting her land development firm in 2010. Megan was recognized as a finalist in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction category of the 2018, 2019, and 2020 Austin Under 40 Awards, which celebrates Austin’s most accomplished and influential emerging professionals who are making an impact in the community. In 2020, Megan was also recognized in Austin Business Journal Woman in Power Profiles. Megan is an active member of the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers. In addition, she has served as board chair for Skillpoint Alliance and served as the Mayors appointee for the City of Austin 2024 Charter Commission. Megan is a board member of the Real Estate Council of Austin for 2023-2025 and serves as the Policy Vice Chair. Megan and her husband Josh have two children, Beckett and Naomi.

  O-SDA Industries

  Owner & President

  HONOREE: LEADER OF THE YEAR

  Megan Lasch

  Owner & President

  O-SDA Industries

• 

  Nkiru Gelles

  Nkiru strives to promote dynamic, equitable, and sustainable public spaces with thoughtfully curated programmatic mixes, inclusive of functioning and convenient public utility, that foster positive social interaction and encourage local economic productivity necessary for thriving communities. Nkiru grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and has been interested in the public space of cities ever since. She received her B.Arch from University College London's Bartlett School of Architecture and her M.Arch with honors from Rice University, with awards for outstanding student design work. Having lived and worked in Africa (Julies Berger), Europe (Hawkins\Brown London), Asia (10 Design), and the Americas (Diller Scofidio + Renfro; Michael Hsu Office of Architecture), Nkiru has an extensive international portfolio of work centered on the design of institutional, civic, and public spaces. Nkiru is the current secretary for AIA Austin, served as chair of the Women in Architecture committee, and writes for Texas Architect magazine.

  Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

  Principal

  HONOREE: INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

  Nkiru Gelles

  Principal

  Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

• 

  Pam Donaldson

  Pam Donaldson serves as Vice President of Strategic Partner Relationships at Gordon Highlander, where she partners with the South Texas team to strengthen client relationships, cultivate strategic partnerships, and stay closely connected to the evolving commercial real estate and construction markets. With nearly three decades of experience in commercial construction, Pam has served in a variety of leadership roles spanning project management, preconstruction, sales, community development, and trade partner relations. Her career has been built around one core belief: strong relationships are the foundation of successful projects, strong companies, and thriving communities. Pam is deeply engaged in the commercial real estate and construction industries. She currently serves on the CREW Austin Executive Board as Secretary and is active on the Career Development/UCREW and Membership Committees. She is also a founding board member and Past President of APWC Texas, where she continues to support the organization’s growth and mission to empower women in construction. Known for her collaborative leadership style, industry insight, and passion for connecting people, Pam brings a relationship-first perspective to every conversation she leads. As moderator, she is honored to guide today’s discussion and spotlight the women whose influence, innovation, and leadership are shaping the future of Austin’s commercial real estate market.

  Gordon Highlander

  VP, Strategic Partner Relationships

  Moderator

  Pam Donaldson

  VP, Strategic Partner Relationships

  Gordon Highlander

Leader of the Year

A woman who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and continued efforts to move the market forward

• 

  Dedee Boring

  Dedee Boring leads the acquisitions and asset management efforts at Boring & Co., specializing in identifying high-performing investment opportunities and optimizing property operations. With a focus on self-storage properties across the Texas Triangle—Austin, DFW, San Antonio, and Houston—Dedee is dedicated to maximizing returns for investors through strategic decision-making and meticulous management. Her role encompasses overseeing the acquisition process, from deal evaluation to negotiation, and implementing asset management strategies that enhance property value and performance. Dedee’s data-driven approach and keen market insights ensure that every property under management operates at its highest potential. Drawing on her extensive background in marketing and advertising, Dedee integrates innovative thinking with a deep understanding of investor needs, building lasting relationships based on trust and results. In addition to her work at Boring & Co., Dedee is committed to empowering women in real estate. She co-founded WISE (Wise Women Invest in Real Estate) to provide education and support for women pursuing opportunities in commercial real estate. When not overseeing acquisitions or managing assets, Dedee treasures time with her four children and three grandbabies.

  Boring & Co.

  Founder & Managing Partner

  Dedee Boring

  Founder & Managing Partner

  Boring & Co.

• 

  Dianne Bangle

  Dianne Bangle is responsible for developing and executing RECA’s overall strategy and managing its day-to-day operations. As CEO, she forges alliances, establishes and maintains relationships with government officials and civic leaders, and ensures that RECA is involved in decisions surrounding Austin’s growth. Dianne Bangle oversees the administration of the organization, including its annual budget and goals. Bangle was selected to lead RECA in April 2017. Prior to taking the reins at RECA, Bangle served as the Executive Director of Development at the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business, where she served as a key member of the Dean’s development staff, managed a team of major gift and annual giving officers, created donor and stewardship strategy and led capital campaigns and major projects. Prior to that, Bangle served for 12 years as the Executive Director of Shoes for Austin, a startup and incentive-based nonprofit organization that provided new athletic shoes to tens of thousands of deserving children at more than 40 social services agencies around Central Texas. Born and raised in Seattle, Dianne has lived in Austin for more than 20 years. She's also a licensed attorney in both Texas and Colorado and holds a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Washington.

  Real Estate Council of Austin

  CEO

  Dianne Bangle

  CEO

  Real Estate Council of Austin

• 

  Julie Ferguson

  As an accomplished leader in commercial real estate, Julie effectively combines her deep knowledge and robust experience to serve as President of Ryan’s Southern Division. In this role, Julie leads all strategic initiatives for the South Central and Southeast regions, driving business development and operational efficiency. She is responsible for overseeing profitability, collaborating with regional leaders on business plans, fostering client relationships and contributing to executive decision-making to align with organizational goals and enhance overall performance. A dedicated member of the Executive Leadership team, Julie is committed to fostering sustainable growth and innovation across the company, creating a positive impact across communities and prioritizing client goals. Previously, Julie held the role of Executive Vice President of Ryan’s Senior Living sector. Her leadership was instrumental in growing the number of senior living units in the portfolio by 97% while skillfully managing an asset portfolio valued at $2 billion. She provided strategic direction to a team of more than 35 professionals, emphasizing robust financial management and meticulous planning, which led to the successful placement of $42 million in capital and the attainment of significant equity commitments. Julie’s expertise includes operational efficiency, comprehensive market analysis, and the development of strong partnerships—which ensure positive project outcomes. Determined, goal-oriented, and analytical, Julie is widely respected for following through on commitments. She focuses on providing support and direction to team members across multiple disciplines and geographic areas while enhancing customer value and profitability. Julie is dedicated to fostering growth within the Ryan’s southern U.S. markets, cultivating a culture of professionalism and collaboration throughout her division.

  Ryan Companies

  President, Southern Division

  Julie Ferguson

  President, Southern Division

  Ryan Companies

• 

  Penny Chung

  Penny is a highly skilled financial analyst and negotiator and always serves her client’s best interest. Her education and experience in finance give her the unique ability to provide a deep financial opportunity analysis, strategic advice, deal restructures, and innovative solutions that add value for her clients. Her commercial real estate and investment clients include land, apartment buildings, and shopping center acquisition and disposition throughout the greater Austin area. She is known for her superstar finance skills in sales and lease opportunities that add value to clients’ properties. Her finance education includes portfolio and investment asset analysis. Penny holds a certificate in finance and is a Level 2 Certified Financial Analyst. These advanced finance skills enable her to provide investment analysis opportunities for her commercial real estate clients. Penny’s financial services skills extend to client portfolio analysis of real estate holdings, deploy capital, and restructure assets to maximize portfolio performance. Penny, a CCIM designee, currently serves as President of the CCIM Central Texas Chapter in 2025. She serves within the Vietnamese community in the Austin area. During the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Penny campaigned to raise funds and collect PPEs and sanitizer for front-line workers and hospitals. She served on the advisory board for the Vietnamese American Community (VACAT) of Austin, as treasurer from 2019 to 2021. She is also a member of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA). In her free time, Penny plays piano and loves to travel with her husband.

  LT Commercial Group

  Principal, CCIM

  Penny Chung

  Principal, CCIM

  LT Commercial Group

• 

  Sabrina Butler

  Chief Real Estate Development Officer

  Foundation Communities

Deal Maker of the Year

A woman who has made a significant contribution to one or more major deals in and around Austin

• 

  Gayle Berkbigler

  A real estate maven, Gayle understands the market; through her CCIM designation, she provides a powerful set of analysis tools for investing, leasing, purchasing, or selling Commercial Real Estate. She has been delivering results at the highest level to clients, companies, and investors for more than 25 years; receiving numerous top producer awards in both real estate, sales, marketing, and the home building industry. Her extensive knowledge and experience of real estate combined with her savvy negotiation skills (acquired as an oil and gas trader/marketer) and results have driven her to be at the top of her industry. Her passion has allowed her to stay there.

  eXp Commercial

  Founder

  Gayle Berkbigler

  Founder

  eXp Commercial

• 

  Katie Ekstrom

  Katie is a Senior Vice President in the CBRE Austin office, specializing in project leasing and business development with the Office Leasing Advisory Services division. She has over 17 years of commercial real estate experience. Katie’s scope of responsibilities include: negotiations encompassing all stages of the commercial transaction, identifying and accurately reporting market conditions, strategic client consulting, new business pursuits and securing current and future client relationships. Before relocating to Austin more than ten years ago and joining the Office Leasing Advisory team at CBRE, Katie was a leasing broker with Transwestern in Houston, Texas where she oversaw an office portfolio of approximately 2.5 million square feet in several major submarkets. Since 2005, Katie has completed over 700 lease transactions, representing over 4.5 million rentable square feet. With her strong leadership both within the community and the commercial real estate community, Ms. Ekstrom has been recognized as a Heavy Hitter in the Austin Business Journal multiple years.

  CBRE

  Senior Vice President

  Katie Ekstrom

  Senior Vice President

  CBRE

• 

  Megan Frey

  Megan is responsible for leading the acquisition, entitlement, development, and sale of various retail, mixed-use, and multifamily projects for Endeavor.

  Endeavor Real Estate Group

  Principal

  Megan Frey

  Principal

  Endeavor Real Estate Group

• 

  Reagan Wood

  Reagan Wood, founder and president of Land Dev Brokerage in Central Texas, has established herself as a dynamic force in commercial real estate. As a former civil engineer, she brings a distinctive technical approach to land sales for development, a service that fills a vital gap in the market. Her exceptional expertise has proven invaluable, consistently saving clients from substantial losses, ranging from $500,000 to over $2,000,000 per transaction. Losses saved alone routinely pay for her commission – often many times over. Reagan consistently delivers optimal sales prices for sellers. During the current ‘market correction,’ her sales results have matched or exceeded sales prices from the peak of the prior market cycle, which was historic for Texas. Further, no deals under contract were successfully “retraded” (buyers asking for price reductions or new terms once under contract), despite buyers attempting retrades on every sale. Her technical and market knowledge have made these outcomes possible. Separately, Reagan also represents discerning buyers who need results every time. Reagan was inducted by her peers into the Austin Commercial Real Estate Society (ACRES), an organization comprised of the top 90 commercial real estate brokers in the 5-County Austin Metropolitan Area. (Put differently, the 99.7th percentile of the more than 27,000 real estate practitioners in the Austin Metro.)

  Land Dev Brokerage

  Founder & President

  Reagan Wood

  Founder & President

  Land Dev Brokerage

• 

  Sullivan Johnston

  Sullivan Johnston joined Avison Young in 2016 and is a founding member of the firm’s Land, Development, and Industrial Advisory (LDI) team. She specializes in representing a diverse range of investors, developers, owners, and corporate users in the acquisition, disposition, and strategic positioning of commercial assets and development projects across Texas and the U.S. With a background in research, marketing, and analysis, Sullivan brings a data-driven approach and hands-on expertise to every stage of the transaction process. Her ability to align real estate solutions with her clients’ objectives has earned the trust of both institutional and private stakeholders. While based in Austin, Sullivan maintains an active practice regionally and nationally. She and the LDI team are widely recognized for their expertise in land and development markets, with insights frequently featured in leading publications and industry news sources. Their deep understanding of development trends, market fundamentals, and capital flows positions them as trusted advisors in a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape.

  Avison Young

  SVP

  Sullivan Johnston

  SVP

  Avison Young

Innovator of the Year

A woman who has excelled in driving innovation in the commercial real estate field and used new or creative ideas to improve the industry

• 

  America Alva

  America is a passionate advocate for sustainable design, shaping spaces that balance beauty, function, and environmental responsibility. Since her early work in green homebuilding, she has brought a thoughtful, client-centered approach to every project. Her expertise spans architecture, interior design, space planning, and sustainability certification, with standout roles on the Austin Energy Headquarters, Indeed Tower, and One Uptown. America stays immersed in industry shifts, always pushing for sustainability goals one elegant, efficient design at a time.

  Page

  Associate Principal, Senior Sustainability Specialist

  America Alva

  Associate Principal, Senior Sustainability Specialist

  Page

• 

  Chelsea Kloss

  Chief Design Officer

  LV Collective

• 

  Heather McKinney

  A graduate of Stanford with a masters from Penn, Heather McKinney, FAIA, RID is the Founder of McKinney York Architects which she started in Austin in 1983. A guiding force behind the firm’s design voice, her work is recognized for its understated vernacular forms and contemporary detailing. As the firm has evolved for decades from a singular designer to a truly collaborative creative studio, Heather’s focus on thoughtful architecture for humanity is at the root of the firm’s ethos of Engage, Inspire and Belong. Her own engagement has been multifaceted. She has served as a leader on arts and children’s advocacy boards and in the AIA as Presidents of both AIA Austin and Texas Society of Architects. Heather has been a juror on two dozen AIA design awards juries and is a frequent guest studio critic at Texas Tech and UT Schools of Architecture. She was recognized for her design acumen with elevation to Fellowship in the AIA in 2008 and with the 2020 Texas Society of Architects’ Lifetime Achievement Medal. She takes her own inspiration from architecture that is respectful of the earth’s resources and is dilated to not only meeting the needs of the people that it serves but, most importantly, providing a sense of belonging.

  McKinney York Architects

  Founder

  Heather McKinney

  Founder

  McKinney York Architects

• 

  Liz Lambert

  Partner

  MML Hospitality

• 

  Michelle Vandermeulen

  Michelle is a native Austinite and earned her B.S. in Interior Design from Texas State University. With 20+ years of experience spanning LA, Dallas, and Austin, she’s led complex projects across Commercial, Hospitality, and Healthcare design. Michelle is known for her exceptional ability to handle complex projects, ensuring every detail meets the client’s needs and expectations. When she’s not deep in the design world, you’ll find her with family and friends and enjoying the best of Austin’s vibrant scene.

  S. Tipton Studio

  Director of Commerical Interiors

  Michelle Vandermeulen

  Director of Commerical Interiors

  S. Tipton Studio

• 

  Susan Davenport

  Susan Davenport has more than 20 years of experience in economic development leadership across Texas. Her previous roles include serving as president and CEO of the Greater Brazos Partnership, chief economic development officer of the Greater Houston partnership and over a decade with the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. Her work has resulted in recruiting high-impact companies, strengthening workforce pipelines and building regional strategies that support long-term growth. Her leadership spans key industries including semiconductors, aerospace & defense and life sciences, and she’s known for her ability to unite public and private sector leaders around shared goals. 

  Opportunity Austin

  President & CEO

  Susan Davenport

  President & CEO

  Opportunity Austin

Rising Star

A woman who has been in the industry less than 15 years and has made a significant impact on the market and/or has largely contributed to a major commercial real estate project

• 

  Annie Atkinson

  VP

  Reger Holdings

• 

  Caitlyn Ryan

  Caitlyn oversees the acquisition and development of all investments in Texas for Turnbridge. Prior to joining Turnbridge, Caitlyn was Senior Vice President of Investments for Stream Realty Partners, one of the fastest growing, full service real estate firms in the nation. At Stream, Caitlyn executed development, acquisitions, entitlements, design and financing for various projects across the country. Caitlyn earned her Master’s in Business Administration from The Johns Hopkins University and her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Texas Tech University. Caitlyn is a member of ULI and a board member of NAIOP of Austin and The Downtown Austin Alliance. Caitlyn is a former board member of the Rawls College of Business and the Trail Conservancy of Austin.

  Turnbridge Equities

  Senior Director of Development

  Caitlyn Ryan

  Senior Director of Development

  Turnbridge Equities

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  Caroline King

  Caroline King is a Vice President with CBRE’s Office Occupier Advisory & Transaction Services, specializing in strategic real estate consulting and brokerage services in Austin and around the globe. As a member of the Office Occupier team, Caroline excels in advising companies on real estate portfolios and strategies, navigating complex transactions and advocating for her clients’ unique needs. She has a proven track record of negotiating transactions that align with clients’ functional, operational and fiscal goals. Caroline focuses on both Austin’s thriving startup community and established companies seeking to optimize their office space. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Caroline prides herself on being a mother, wife, avid traveler and a Texas Longhorn.

  CBRE

  VP

  Caroline King

  VP

  CBRE

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  Emily Mahoney

  Emily Mahoney has more than a decade of experience in site/civil engineering and land development, with a focus on sustainable design. She provides strategic oversight from early due diligence through permitting, design, and construction in a wide variety of markets, including data centers, industrial, commercial, residential, and healthcare. Mahoney leads complex efforts related to floodplain development, stream restoration, and scour protection throughout the U.S. and internationally. She works closely with regulators and project teams to navigate permitting within sensitive waterways and flood hazard areas to confirm that projects are both compliant and environmentally responsible.

  Langan Engineering & Environmental Services

  Associate Principal

  Emily Mahoney

  Associate Principal

  Langan Engineering & Environmental Services

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  Lexie Hall Burns

  Lexie exclusively represents Tenants. She specializes in the representation of companies in Austin and around the globe. In order to achieve clients’ goals, Lexie implements a client-centered approach in order to develop, plan, and execute real estate solutions. Lexie's highest priority is the client relationship. Whether the company is nationally recognized or establishing their first business endeavor, with her open and responsive approach, she make deals happen. Knowing where her clients stand within the real estate process is where Lexie specializes and does not over complicate the situation.

  Cushman & Wakefield

  Senior Director, Tenant Representation

  Lexie Hall Burns

  Senior Director, Tenant Representation

  Cushman & Wakefield

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  Rachel Becker

  Rachel joined Transwestern in 2022 and serves as an Associate within the firm’s Healthcare Advisory Services group. Based in Central Texas, she focuses on agency leasing for medical office and healthcare properties, while also advising local and national healthcare providers on tenant representation strategies. Rachel delivers customized real estate solutions to healthcare and life science users, developers and institutional investors, aligning their real estate needs with their long-term business objectives. Her clients include Healthcare Realty Trust, Stockdale Capital Partners, Welltower, and OGH. Prior to joining Transwestern, Rachel served as an Analyst for Rubicon Representation, a Dallas-based commercial real estate firm, where she supported local, regional and national investment clients by providing market analysis and client relations. She also gained brokerage experience through an internship at JLL.

  Transwestern

  Senior Associate

  Rachel Becker

  Senior Associate

  Transwestern