2025 Women in CRE: Catherine Azevedo, Romer Debbas LLP

If you could change one thing about the CRE industry, what would it be and why? I would advocate for greater diversity at decision-making levels. Too often, those controlling capital share similar backgrounds, limaiting perspectives and the communities funded.

2025 Women in CRE: Carmen Pagan, Romer Debbas LLP

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why? I represented a lender in a $2.8 billion NYC acquisition loan, financing one of the city’s largest affordable housing projects with 236 units for low-income families.

2025 Women in CRE: Catya Craig, Romer Debbas LLP

What skill or quality do you believe is essential for success in your field today? Attention to detail is essential, as it ensures accuracy and timeliness in every deal. Strong communication skills are also key for coordinating parties and clearly summarizing legal issues.

2025 Women in CRE: Diana Roman, Romer Debbas LLP

What skill or quality do you believe is essential for success in your field today? I believe that one of my most important and essential skills is my attention to detail and multitasking. In real estate, there are a lot of moving parts, and it is so important that you can jump from one deal to another without missing a beat.

2025 Women in CRE: Samantha Karni, Brach Eichler LLC

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why? The most rewarding deal of my career was leading a $1.2 billion acquisition involving nearly 300 multifamily properties across 10 states. It was a complex, high-stakes project that demanded nonstop coordination, organization, and problem-solving.

2025 Women in CRE: Kimberly Barresi, Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman LLP

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why? A large part of my practice is SBA financing. During the pandemic, the CARES Act carried a huge benefit, with the SBA making loan payments for eligible loans. In some instances, borrowers saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in loan payments

2025 Women in CRE: Kelsey Johnson, EBI Consulting

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why? It’s too hard to pick just one! My most rewarding projects have been affordable housing and downtown revitalization properties in various cities. Being even a small part of the solution to the daunting housing crisis strikes a meaningful chord.

2025 Women in CRE: Pallavi Shrivastava, Arcadis

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why? Over my 20-year career, a standout project was a Workplace Strategy initiative for a technology client’s India HQ. It was so rewarding to collaborate with a visionary leader who set high standards, pushing us to elevate workplace strategy at every stage.

2025 Women in CRE: Krystyna Blakeslee, Gibson Dunn

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why? While there are many rewarding aspects within my career, the most rewarding would have to be the fact that the team has chosen to work with me, move firms with me, and have the trust in me to know I have their best interests at heart.

2025 Women in CRE: Ilana Ettinger, North Bridge

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why? The most rewarding deal of my career was working on North Bridge’s $1 billion partnership with The Carlyle Group last year. This transaction not only accelerated North Bridge’s growth but also elevated the profile of C-PACE from a niche financing