2026 Women in Commercial Real Estate: Shannon Bahnsen, Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker & Sharfstein, LLP

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

The leadership lesson that has had the greatest impact on my career is to lead by listening first. The best outcomes often come from understanding the people, pressures, and priorities behind an issue before offering direction. In commercial real estate, listening and managing expectations have helped me build trust, identify practical solutions, and create alignment. It has taught me that strong leadership is not about being the loudest voice, but the one that helps others move forward with confidence.

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

My advice is to be both curious and intentional. Commercial real estate rewards people who understand the details, ask thoughtful questions, and build relationships before they need them. Invest early in building a broad and genuine network across lawyers, clients, brokers, lenders, developers, and mentors. Stay in touch, ask thoughtful questions, and look for ways to be helpful without expecting anything in return, because the strongest opportunities often come from trust built long before a deal is on the table.