The real estate sector, especially the industrial sector, has historically been dominated by men. However, in recent years, women have gained ground within this world and have held positions of power that they did not have before.
Companies like the Mexican Association of Industrial Parks (AMPIP) or American Industries are led by women. Claudia Esteves is the CEO of AMPIP, while Liliana Hernández is the CEO of American Industries.
Real estate developers and Real Estate Investment Trusts (Fibras) have added to their management teams and technical committees a group of women with significant experience in the real estate, financial, legal, and ESG sectors. Such is the case with Vesta, Macquarie REIT, Fibra Plus, Terrafina, Fibra Hotel, Fibra MTY, Fibra Nova, Fibra Soma, Danhos, Fibra Shop, Fibra Inn, Construye Industrial, Fibra Educa, to name a few.
In the case of AMPIP, Claudia Esteves leads an executive group comprised almost entirely of women. In response to this, the director of the association points out that the way to position a team of women within a male-dominated environment is through professionalism.
“The environment is predominantly male: although we increasingly have more women integrated into the industrial real estate sector and, above all, occupying higher-ranking positions, we still observe an environment where the majority of senior positions are held by men. In the face of this scenario, the best way to position oneself is through excellence and professionalism; in the AMPIP team, we are clear about this and strive for it as part of our professional ethics, our DNA. This is the ground on which we build the respect and trust of the AMPIP membership,” she points out in a written interview for Datoz.
The director of AMPIP indicates that the increasing presence of women in higher-ranking positions in the industrial real estate sector can be attributed to changes in the country and the world. “We began to see female leadership in areas such as ESG and Education; nowadays, we also see them in sectors where women previously did not participate, such as infrastructure and energy. A very clear example is that there is now a woman participating in the new Board of Directors of AMPIP,” she points out.
On the other hand, Joanna Lara, an industrial analyst at Datoz, acknowledges that this new environment for women in the industrial real estate sector was made possible by the women who paved the way for new generations to reach leadership positions in local and global firms, “which is motivating; however, it is not the case in all sectors or in all companies,” she points out.
In response to this, Claudia Esteves points out that the industrial real estate sector has not yet achieved an equitable and equal environment, but it is on that path. “We are transitioning from a supportive role to a leadership role, we are breaking glass ceilings and preconceived ideas; we are showing through work and results that women have, by ourselves, capabilities, that we know how to lead and make decisions in the workplace. For it to work, we do it in our own style and with our tools, we are not seeking to lead like men or in opposition to them, we are building women’s leadership, with a business vision and a future for everyone, for individuals, the sector, and the country,” she concludes.
The path referred to by the director of AMPIP will be the foundation for future generations to navigate a work environment with more leadership opportunities.
