2026 Women in Commercial Real Estate: Prerna Soni, Gibson Dunn

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

Much of my practice is focused on distressed lending. These matters are rewarding because they often require creative problem-solving with no clear playbook, and close partnership with our clients as we navigate challenging and stressful situations together. But what made a recent transaction especially meaningful was working with an associate relatively new to this type of work and watching her learn quickly, grow in confidence, and impress the client. Helping the client achieve a successful outcome was satisfying, but watching the associate come into her own was the real highlight for me.

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

I used to think becoming a better leader meant becoming more like the leaders I admired. Over time, I’ve learned that effective leadership is rooted in authenticity: you can take inspiration from others, but you also have to recognize and lean into the strengths that are uniquely yours. Once I stopped performing someone else’s version of leadership and comparing myself to others, I could focus more fully on the people I was leading and on making meaningful change. It’s still a work in progress, but that shift has already made me a better leader and makes leading feel more natural and fun!

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

AI will be one of the most transformative forces in commercial real estate over the next five years, changing everything from underwriting to how transactions are executed. And we’re still only beginning to understand its potential. As these tools reshape how our work gets done, I think it’s critical that women are not just users of the technology, but early adopters and active participants in shaping it. The people who become fluent in these tools now will have an outsized role in defining how our industry works in the future, and women need to be part of that conversation from the start.

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

Build real expertise, advocate for yourself, and invest deeply in relationships - especially with other women. Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my career have come from women who advocated for me, and I try to do the same for others. There’s enough room for all of us to succeed. Celebrate other women’s wins, say their names in rooms they are not in, and create opportunities for them when you can. Our industry is stronger when women see one another’s success as something to build on, not compete with.