Women's Leadership
Initiative
Join hundreds of women at the ULI Fall Meeting to network, learn and grow within the real estate industry.
The Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) is a dynamic program of ULI dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the real estate industry. Since its establishment in 2011, WLI has grown into a robust network with an active Americas Executive Committee and over 40 chapters across 8 countries. WLI’s mission is rooted in four key objectives: promoting the advancement of women, increasing the number of women who serve in leadership roles, enhancing visibility of women leaders, and fostering the growth of young women professionals within ULI and the broader real estate sector.
WLI connects women with peers and mentors to grow their networks and seize career opportunities, and its advocacy and community initiatives inspire change and promote diversity within ULI. By joining WLI, you join a vibrant community committed to elevating women leaders. Together, WLI connects, inspires, and leads—ensuring women's contributions are recognized and celebrated across the commercial real estate industry.
Unparalleled Content and Insight
Explore cutting-edge trends and best practices in real estate with a dedicated focus on the pivotal contributions and unique challenges faced by women in the industry. WLI presents a meticulously curated lineup of sessions at every Fall Meeting, tackling topics such as leadership development, gender equity, market innovations, and more. These sessions provide actionable insights and innovative strategies tailored to empower women and drive significant impact within the real estate sector.
Mentorship and Networking Opportunities
Gain access to mentorship from seasoned industry leaders eager to guide the next generation of women in real estate. WLI fosters a supportive environment where you can seek advice, share experiences, and receive crucial guidance for career advancement and personal growth. WLI creates spaces of belonging for women to engage in meaningful interactions with cross-disciplinary professionals from all corners of real estate.
Transformative Leadership Development
Elevate your career through sessions and events designed to highlight a pathway to leadership for women in real estate. WLI provides platforms for both emerging and established professionals to hone their leadership skills, gain confidence, and understand the dynamics of leading effectively in a traditionally male-dominated field. Additionally, WLI is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs by providing them with resources and exposure to catalyze and support their ventures within the industry.
Upcoming WLI Programs and Events at Fall Meeting
The ULI Women’s Leadership Initiative offers numerous opportunities for networking, education, and specialized programming throughout the year and is hosting a rich lineup of programming at Fall Meeting in Las Vegas on October 28-30, 2024. If you are interested in getting involved with WLI’s work, please reach out to [email protected] or your local District Council staff to express your interest.
Launch & Learn: Women’s Entrepreneurs Program Lunch
Monday, October 28 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Resorts World Las Vegas - Level 3, Rose Ballroom A
Join WLI Americas as we officially kickoff the inaugural Women’s Entrepreneurs Program! Come learn about the program and the application process, which opens on November 1st. Hear from leading women in business share key moments from their entrepreneurship journeys and resources that can help you take the next step.
WLI Americas Coffee Connect
Tuesday, October 29 | 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Resorts World Las Vegas - Level 2, Lotus Meeting Room 5
Start your morning with WLI Americas for coffee and refreshments. Join us to meet other women in a relaxed and welcoming environment with the goal to broaden and enrich professional networks and strengthen industry connections.
WLI Americas Presents: A View from the Top with Former Mayor Debra March
Tuesday, October 29 | 10:30 - 11:30 AM
Resorts World Las Vegas - Level 2, Jasmine AB
Join the ULI Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) Americas for its signature program where Emma West, WLI Americas chair and partner at Bousfields Inc., will moderate a fireside chat with Former Mayor Debra March, of Henderson, Nevada's second largest city. Debra held the mayor position from 2017–2023. During that time, she successfully expanded Henderson into a sports hub to include the Raiders, Aces, and Silver Knights, using public/private partnerships for all these projects. Debra also created the Women's Community Leadership Network (WCLN) to promote opportunities for women and girls in Henderson. Debra continues her work as a passionate champion for growing livable communities for all through her consulting company March Nawaday.
Transforming Las Vegas Chinatown: Placemaking and Placekeeping
Tuesday, October 29 | 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Resorts World Las Vegas - Level 2, Lotus C
Chinatowns across the country are facing gentrification and displacement. Preserving history and culture and a sense of belonging are critical to the identity of Chinatown. At the same time, it is important to strike a balance between preservation and change. Members of the Las Vegas Chinatown Redevelopment Master Plan team will guide you through the historical evolution of Las Vegas Chinatown, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a vibrant cultural and culinary destination. Topics include innovative urban planning approaches, transit-oriented community, equitable community engagement strategies, economic development and policy tools, and public/private AND community partnerships that can support the revitalization efforts while maintaining the authenticity and vibrancy of Chinatown neighborhoods.
DEI & WLI Leadership Exchange
Tuesday, October 29 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Resorts World Las Vegas - Level 2, Blossom Ballroom F
Learn from some of the top district councils, as DEI and WLI leaders share their unique projects and programs from the past year. Members will present both their successes and lessons learned. This session provides a space to share ideas, skills, and strategies to shape future programming and create meaningful connections and community within ULI.
*SOLD OUT*
An Evening with WLI: Curated Conversations Dine Arounds
Tuesday, October 29 | 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Resorts World Las Vegas - Level 2, Orchid Ballroom A
Indulge in culinary delights at Resorts World, where an array of restaurants offers a world of flavors in a luxurious setting. The WLI Curated Conversations Dine Arounds will be an intimate dining experience in small groups to cultivate meaningful connections. We will first convene as a large group in the Fall Meeting rooms. Each dinner group will be hosted by a ULI Nevada WLI member, who will lead their small group to their restaurant destination. Groups will enjoy a seated dinner featuring inviting fireside chats to discuss key issues and topics of the day.
This separately ticketed event is open to all Fall Meeting attendees.
Limited spaces are available.
Attendees must select a restaurant when registering.
Click HERE to view flyer.
Click HERE to register.
Cancellation Policy
Please note: No refunds will be provided for cancellations made after 12:00 p.m. pacific on October 22nd.
WLI Americas Presents: M&A Integration: Key Considerations for Ensuring Long-Term Success
Wednesday, October 30 | 10:00 - 10:20 AM
Resorts World Las Vegas - Level 2, Lily Ballroom, Area A
Did you know that between 70 and 90 percent of merger and acquisition deals ultimately fail? These deals don't fail to reach the signing table; they often fail several years down the road, usually as a result of employee attrition, cultural misalignment, or poor integration management. Start your merger or acquisition journey off on the right foot and protect your investment for the future with five key considerations for M&A success: cultural due diligence, employee retention, client retention, marketing and communication, and business development. This presentation will share a strategy and stories from lived experiences of being part of multiple mergers and acquisitions.
WLI Americas Presents: Energizing Real Estate and Future Proofing through AI
Wednesday, October 30 | 12:30 - 12:50 PM
Resorts World Las Vegas - Level 2, Lily Ballroom, Area
In a rapidly evolving world, the convergence of energy and real estate sectors is creating unprecedented opportunities. This presentation will explore how technologies driven by artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing and transforming these industries, enhancing sustainability, efficiency, and value. The session will delve into smart grids, renewable energy integration, and intelligent building systems, demonstrating how these advancements not only reduce costs and carbon footprints but also elevate property values and development. Topics also include predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and AI-enhanced building systems, showcasing how these innovations drive cost savings. Join this session to discover the future of the built environment and how embracing technological innovation and AI is pivotal and can drive success for both energy and real estate stakeholders.