2026 Women in Commercial Real Estate: Paula Blanchard, Hanna Commercial Real Estate - Buffalo

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

The future is bright for women in commercial real estate. Encouragingly, outdated stereotypes are fading, allowing women in brokerage and leadership roles to advance as far as their talent, ambition, and perseverance will take them. Be bold. Be creative. Be optimistic. And above all, be collaborative. The outdated “old boys’ network” approach is quickly becoming a thing of the past. 

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

The most rewarding project this year has been my representation of the historic 170,000 s/f furniture exposition building in Jamestown, New York. The anticipated redevelopment of this circa-1917 structure on the Chadakoin River, in the heart of downtown, will help revitalize the city and continue its renaissance as a tourism, entertainment, and meetings/conference destination. Serious developer interest in this iconic property is especially gratifying, and the project is expected to be well on its way toward re-imagined new uses in the coming months.