2025 Women in CRE: Luly Bestard Melarti, Reynolds Asset Management

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

Today, the most essential skill is the ability to think cross-disciplinarily. In commercial real estate, you need to understand design, finance, and market dynamics simultaneously. The projects that perform best are those where the team can anticipate how a design decision impacts tenant experience, construction cost, and long-term NOI. That requires curiosity, adaptability, and the willingness to learn outside your core discipline.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in commercial real estate?

First, know your value. Your perspective is an asset in an industry that benefits from diverse viewpoints. Second, build a network early and nurture it consistently; relationships matter. Third, don’t be afraid to speak the language of finance; understanding the numbers behind a deal will make you an indispensable part of the conversation. People come to commercial real estate from a wide range of professions, each bringing a unique expertise with value and purpose. Use that background to your advantage, it’s often your differentiator in the room.