NAI Summit Empowers Women Leaders in Commercial Real Estate

NAI Summit has long been a champion for women’s leadership in the Lehigh Valley, challenging the trend of commercial real estate as a male-dominated industry. According to a 2020 survey by the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network, women make up 36.7% of the workforce in the commercial real estate industry, a figure that has remained substantially unchanged over the past 15 years. Women make up only 9% of C-suite positions in the commercial real estate field.

In contrast, NAI Summit is a “female-led office from the front to the back,” as Director of Property Management Lauren Borrell puts it. Women represent the majority of the firm’s employees (55%), comprising 100% of the accounting and support staff, 75% of property management, and 33% of the C-Suite positions.

“At NAI Summit, our daily decisions are driven by a talented team of women leaders, creating a truly unique environment in commercial real estate,” said Chief Operating Officer Kelly Berfield. “Our commitment to promote from within has allowed many of our team members to grow into leadership roles, which strengthens our expertise and fosters a deep sense of pride and collaboration across the company.”

One of the Principals at NAI Summit, Jeffrey Garibaldi Jr., highlighted the exceptional talent that women bring to the industry. “Since I joined NAI Summit in 2021, we’ve filled six positions, and five of those were taken by incredibly skilled women. Many had extensive real estate experience, while others brought easily transferable expertise. The quality of talent speaks for itself. Commercial real estate industry leaders must continue to recognize, elevate, and support those who are ready to excel. There is a vast pool of capable women eager to make an impact in this field.”

Recently, three female leaders at NAI Summit shared their stories and offered tips to empower other women exploring careers in commercial real estate.

Nurturing a Culture that Supports Women Leaders

Karen Koch, NAI Summit’s Director of Property Accounting, has been with the company for 28 years. Without prior real estate experience, she joined the firm during college in a part-time accounts payable role, and advanced through the ranks over the years through multiple promotions.

From the beginning, Koch worked with strong women leaders at NAI Summit who have set an example of support and mentorship. “Working with such inspiring colleagues has been a two-way street. You learn from them as much as they learn from you, and that support has been a cornerstone of our culture,” she explained.

Today, Koch’s department is comprised of all women. “We all work really well together, and all have our strengths in different areas,” she said. This collaborative environment has fostered both professional growth and strong connections, with four out of the five women in her department having been with the company for at least 15 years.

Networking and Powerful Connections

The Lehigh Valley chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), the leading business networking organization in commercial real estate, was established 20 years ago. Participating in CREW Lehigh Valley has been a powerful tool for making professional connections, support, and friendship for many female employees at NAI Summit. Four professionals at NAI Summit are active in CREW Lehigh Valley, including Borrell, who serves as the chair of the Outreach Committee and will join the Board of Directors in 2025.

“You’re surrounded by like-minded women, and there’s no pressure to do a deal,” Borrell said. “You don’t typically join CREW just for business, though business might happen organically.”

Both Borrell and Berfield are active in CREW, particularly on the Outreach Committee. They value the organization for its network of referrals, job opportunities, and industry connections that arise through genuine relationships.

Beyond professional networking, CREW Lehigh Valley is committed to educating the next generation. Through school partnerships, CREW highlights the many career paths in commercial real estate, from property management and banking to architecture and engineering. The organization also has a mentorship program and offers scholarships to college students who are studying commercial real estate.

“We want to ensure that students see all the opportunities in commercial real estate, as property management or commercial real estate wasn’t even on my radar,” Borrell said.

Mentorship, Collaboration and Lifelong Connections

Unlike Borrell and Koch, who had no exposure to commercial real estate in school, Kelly Berfield had real estate “in her DNA.” Her mother was a commercial real estate agent turned appraiser, and her family owned a commercial real estate company in the Lehigh Valley. After graduating from law school and working as a transactional real estate attorney in New Jersey for over a decade, Berfield returned to the family business as a broker. She initially joined NAI Summit as Chief Revenue Officer and was later promoted to Chief Operating Officer.

For 10 years, Berfield taught real estate as an adjunct professor at Lehigh University, where she mentored students who have since built their own careers. “Teaching at Lehigh University allowed me to guide students who have since gone on to build remarkable careers,” said Berfield. “I believe the more you give, whether it is sharing knowledge, offering guidance, or opening doors, the more it comes back to you. Helping others grow in their careers enriches our industry and strengthens all of us.”

Networking and collaborating with peers is central for advancing in commercial real estate. NAI Global encourages women professionals to connect through regular roundtable discussions across its firms worldwide. Berfield participates in these discussions to share knowledge, brainstorm and seek insight from other women in the industry.

Keeping the Momentum Going

Berfield is grateful for her journey in commercial real estate but recognizes the challenges. “It is no secret that it remains a male-driven industry,” Berfield shared. “To thrive, you often must work harder, and approach deals with both resilience and strategy; sometimes putting ego aside and just getting the job done. Success often comes from being adaptable and willing to take challenges in stride.”

For women who are looking to enter or seek advancement in their careers in commercial real estate, Koch recommends staying open to learning and adapting to the industry’s continuous changes. Berfield advises, “Take every opportunity to meet people in roles you admire. Lunch meetings might not always lead to jobs, but they’re invaluable for insights, introductions and industry connections.”

Through the work of organizations like CREW Lehigh Valley, more women view real estate as a viable, rewarding career. Women in roles ranging from brokers and property managers to administrators and executives can achieve success by building supportive networks, working closely with colleagues and staying informed about industry trends.

At NAI Summit, women like Borrell, Berfield, and Koch show that success in real estate is built on more than just skill—it requires the motivation to seek out opportunities, embrace challenges, and foster strong connections. “You have to be self-motivated to seek out those opportunities and then take advantage of them,” Borrell added, underscoring the power of resilience and collaboration in a fulfilling real estate career.