2025-Innovators in Commercial Real Estate-
Thomas Donovan of Meridian Capital Group

Corporate Culture: How does your organization foster a culture of innovation among employees and leadership? At Meridian Capital, innovation is central to our business across investment sales, debt, and retail leasing. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are encouraged through regular meetings and a firm-wide communication platform that enables real-time responses to market questions. Supported by an industry-leading research team and senior leadership access, we empower employees at all levels to share insights, refine strategies, and drive results.

Innovative Outlook: Where do you see the biggest opportunities for innovation in the commercial real estate sector? The growth of the internet has transformed commercial real estate by making ownership records, transaction data, and market demographics readily available, enabling better trend identification. Now, with the introduction of AI, the potential is even greater — enhancing predictive insights on demand, asset availability, and capital cycles, with the power to reshape the industry.

Beyond Buildings: How do you see innovation in commercial real estate creating a broader impact on communities and the people who live and work in them? Innovation in real estate starts with better access to information. As emerging neighborhoods gain visibility, people are drawn to live, work, and socialize there. Each new job created can positively impact many others — from local restaurants and shops to services—helping entire communities grow and thrive.