Washington, DC (March 4, 2024) -- Fifteen individuals have been selected as the recipients of the annual NAIOP and Prologis Inclusion in CRE Scholarship for Women and Underrepresented Professionals. Now in its seventh year, the program is designed to prepare a pipeline of diverse talent for development and operations positions in commercial real estate by connecting young professionals with mentors and advancing their industry knowledge.
Three of the 15 winners are from Arizona. That includes JLL Phoenix broker Kelly Royle.
"I am so honored to be named among these talented and diverse leaders," said Royle. "I joined NAIOP at the start of my career and credit this organization for launching many of my current industry relationships. I'm also grateful for my JLL team. They recognized the value that a different perspective would bring and have been tremendous mentors ever since, encouraging my professional growth and providing opportunities for success at a very exciting time in Phoenix's industrial sector."
Other winners from Arizona include:
- Rob Hernandez, Senior Associate, Trammell Crow Company
- Jennifer Villalobos, Associate, Cushman and Wakefield
“NAIOP is proud to recognize these standout professionals with scholarships and special mentorship opportunities through our program with Prologis,” said NAIOP President and CEO Marc Selvitelli, CAE. “Promoting diverse talent is critical to the long-term success of the commercial real estate industry and remains one of NAIOP’s key priorities. We value the opportunity to support these professionals as they build their careers.”
“Supporting and encouraging this rising group of commercial real estate professionals benefits not only their futures but also our companies’ futures as we seek to attract and retain top talent,” said Kim Snyder, executive director with Prologis and immediate past NAIOP chair. “Together, Prologis and NAIOP are committed to diversifying the commercial real estate sector. Investing in people, like this program does, helps amplify new voices in our industry.”
As part of the program, each recipient can earn the NAIOP Certificate of Advanced Study in Commercial Real Estate Development, delivered through courses in NAIOP’s The Center for Education, at no cost. This comprehensive program is built on core competencies critical to success in the development industry. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at either I.CON West: The Industrial Conference, March 11-12, in Long Beach, California, or I.CON East: The Industrial Conference, June 5-6, in Jersey City, New Jersey, where they will connect with industry mentors and hear insights from industrial real estate leaders from across North America.