2025 Women in CRE: <br>Alexandra Koretski, Spacesmith

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why?

I’ve been fortunate to work on projects from s ecure government facilities to high-end retail, hospitality, and higher education. The most rewarding is the Brooklyn STEAM Center expansion. Our design team collaborated closely with educators, administrators, students, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. We engaged students from concept through construction, giving them a first-hand look at shaping their future space. We learned from their experiences and ambitions, which informed an inspiring design with cutting-edge makerspaces that empower the next generation to dream boldly and build fearlessly.

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

I believe curiosity is one of the most essential qualities for success today. A genuine interest in the experiences and perspectives of others is vital when your job is to design the environments people inhabit every day. Listening closely to clients and end-users — and applying an analytical, iterative approach to transform their insights into design — has been key to building strong, lasting relationships. That trust brings clients back, as with the U.S. Department of State, for whom I’ve designed interiors for 10 embassy projects over the last decade across multiple continents.