2025 Women in CRE: Nicoletta Pagnotta, Meridian Capital Group

What skill or quality do you believe is essential for success in your field today?

Success in this field comes down to building long-term trust and being adaptable. Technical expertise and a deep understanding of CRE add value, but what truly sets you apart is being someone others can rely on. That means showing up prepared, following through, and protecting your reputation by acting with integrity and delivering consistently. Trust, adaptability, and dependability are what drive strong partnerships and lasting success.

If you could change one thing about the CRE industry, what would it be and why?

If I could change one thing about the CRE industry, it would be improving real-time information sharing. Too often, data is siloed and timelines are compressed, leading to short-term thinking. By leveraging technology to enhance—not replace—relationships, and by fostering transparency and early alignment, we can make smarter decisions, build stronger partnerships, and create long-term value for all stakeholders.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in commercial real estate?

Learn the business from the ground up — understand the fundamentals, get in the field, and gain hands-on deal experience. Every transaction teaches you something. Build genuine industry relationships early by attending events and saying yes to every meeting. Networking accelerates growth. CRE is competitive, but it rewards those who are prepared, driven, and authentic. Combine strong knowledge with real connections, and you’ll create long-term opportunities.