Women founders and CEOs to take the stage at CREtech New York 2026

Manhattan, NY Four women founders and CEOs building and leading companies across commercial real estate, technology, AI and communications will come together at CREtech New York 2026 on October 21 for a candid conversation about what it takes to launch, grow and sustain a business in an industry undergoing rapid transformation.

The 25-minute Innovation Stage session, “Women Founders in CREtech: Building, Leading and Scaling,” will feature Calandra Cruickshank, president & CEO of StateBook International; Caren Maio, CEO & co-founder of 100; Lisa Nickerson, CEO of Infinityy & founder & CEO of Nickerson; and Minna Song, CEO & co-founder of EliseAI.

Together, the four executives bring perspectives spanning artificial intelligence, PropTech, multifamily housing, economic development, communications and the broader built environment. Their careers also represent different paths to entrepreneurship, from founding and scaling technology platforms, to launching multiple businesses, advising emerging companies and helping established industries adopt new technologies.

Taking place October 20-21 at the Javits Center, CREtech New York 2026 will bring together thousands of executives from across the commercial real estate world as the industry confronts the growing impact of artificial intelligence, data and emerging technologies and how real estate is built, operated, financed, marketed and managed.

Against the backdrop, Cruickshank, Maio, Nickerson and Song will move beyond the traditional founder success story to discuss the realities behind building a company, from raising capital and convincing an established industry to embrace new solutions to recruiting leadership teams, navigating periods of rapid growth and creating businesses to last.

The conversation will also address an additional challenge familiar to each of the panelists: building and leading companies as women in sectors where leadership has historically been predominantly male. Drawing from their experiences at different stages of entrepreneurship and company growth, the panelists will explore how founders can overcome barriers to adoption, established credibility with investors and customers and translate innovation into sustainable business.

100 is a multifamily platform transforming rental applications and screening. Maio is a serial PropTech entrepreneur, she previously co-founded and served as CEO of Funnel Leasing and has been recognized by Inc.com, MetaProp and Women in PropTech for her industry leadership.

EliseA is a leading AI platform serving the multifamily housing and healthcare industries. Song is a MIT graduate with a background in computer science, she is focused on using AI to solve complex operational challenges at scale.

Infinityy is an AI-powered real estate technology company. With more than three decades of experience across real estate, technology and communications, Nickerson has also been a longtime advocate for advancing women’s leadership in the industry.

StateBook International is a nationwide online marketplace for economic development and corporate site selection. Cruickshank is a longtime entrepreneur, her career spans technology, economic development and public-private partnerships.

The panel is part of a broader CREtech New York 2026 program focused on “Real Estate in the Age of AI,” bringing together senior executives, technology leaders, entrepreneurs and investors to examine how AI and other innovations are reshaping the built environment.

Beyond the stage, the session is part of CREtech’s broader Women in CREtech initiative, which creates additional ways for women across the industry to connect, build relationships and get involved before and during CREtech New York. Attendees can join the Women in CREtech WhatsApp community ahead of the event, connect onsite in the dedicated Women in CREtech Lounge, and take part in additional networking and community programming throughout the conference. To register visit cretech.com.