2026 Women in Commercial Real Estate: Sonya Dufner, FASID, Gensler

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

I believe AI will have the greatest impact on commercial real estate over the next five years, not by making the workplace less relevant, but by evolving the experience for employees. Predictive modeling will help companies anticipate shifts in work patterns, collaboration, learning and space demand. Rather than focusing solely on how many days employees are in the office, we should analyze how people use different spaces, including meeting rooms, collaboration areas and gathering spaces, to better understand behavior and create more adaptable, high-performing workplaces that support evolving business needs.

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

My advice to the next generation of women entering commercial real estate is to prioritize building relationships, especially in person, and seek out every opportunity to expand your network. Networking has been a meaningful part of my own career journey and is one of the reasons I am passionate about giving back to CoreNet, the organization that helped me build my professional relationships. As social skills continue to evolve, particularly among those who entered the workforce after the pandemic, the ability to create authentic connections and build relationships will become even more important in the CRE community.