2026 Women in Commercial Real Estate: Deborah Smith, The CenterCap Group

What leadership lesson has made the greatest impact on your career? 

Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room; it’s about creating an environment where the best ideas win. That starts with asking the right questions, listening to different perspectives, and having the conviction to make decisions before you have perfect information. The best leaders create clarity, especially when the path forward isn’t obvious.

What trend or change in commercial real estate do you believe will have the biggest impact over the next five years?

Technology is already compressing the institutionalization cycle from decades to years. As barriers to entry fall, firms can create differentiated investment products faster than ever, fueling a wave of specialized strategies competing for institutional capital. The winners will be the firms that identify emerging opportunities early and execute before the market catches up.

What was the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in the past 12 months, and why?

The most rewarding work wasn’t a single transaction — it was helping clients rethink their overall strategy. As technology reshapes capital formation, we’ve helped clients identify emerging opportunities, build differentiated investment products, and position themselves ahead of where institutional capital is going. Watching those strategies translate into long-term growth has been far more rewarding than closing any one deal.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women entering commercial real estate?

CRE rewards people who solve hard problems, not those who fit a mold. Build expertise, learn how capital works, and don’t wait to be invited into the room. Your perspective is an advantage when you have the credibility to back it up. The women who combine curiosity, resilience, and discernment will shape what’s next.