Top Women in Real Estate Discuss Leadership at IE School of Architecture and Design
The event marked the launch of four High Potential Awards to support women interested in pursuing careers in Real Estate Development at IE University.
In celebration of International Women's Day, IE School of Architecture and Design hosted the panel "Women in Real Estate: Innovation, Impact, and Leadership" at the IE University campus in Madrid. The event was part of the School's Real Estate On The Spot lecture series, which explores current global challenges in the real estate sector through discussions with leading experts who share their expertise on projects related to real estate, investment, urban development, and public-private collaboration.
The panel featured Daniela Mejía Puccio, Master in Real Estate Development alumna and Product Manager at JLL; Marta Colás, IE University faculty and Strategic Consulting Director at CBRE; and Carolina Roca, Managing Partner at Grupo Roca and President of ASPRIMA (Madrid Real Estate Developers Association). The discussion was moderated by Carolina González-Vives, Director of the Real Estate Development Master's programs, alongside Flavio Tejada. These three trailblazing women in real estate conveyed the message that leadership is defined not by titles, but by impact, empathy, and innovation.
The event marked the launch of the Women in Real Estate High Potential Awards, an initiative designed to support and advance women pursuing careers in Real Estate Development. Aimed at female professionals with up to 10 years of experience, the program promotes gender diversity and celebrates emerging talent in the field by providing financial support to four outstanding candidates applying for the October 2025 intake of either the full-time Master in Real Estate Development (MRED) or the part-time Global MRED.
Daniela Mejía Puccio, Product Manager at JLL, shared that her role extends far beyond her job title. Embedded in the Portfolio Management Office and supporting a client with a portfolio of 70 hotels, she serves as a bridge between strategic insight and administrative precision. For Daniela, leadership is grounded in trust, approachability, and the ability to empower teams without micromanaging. "Good leaders know a bit of everything—they support, they don’t control," she said. She also called for greater confidence among women: "Leadership isn’t about age or gender—it’s about clarity and conviction."
Marta Colás, Strategic Consulting Director at CBRE, brings a global perspective shaped by a decade in China and a background in both architecture and business. She leads a diverse team of 50 professionals and believes that transparency and human connection are the cornerstones of effective leadership. "You don’t need to do it all—you need to ensure your team is motivated and aligned," she said.
Carolina Roca, Managing Partner at Grupo Roca and President of ASPRIMA (Madrid Real Estate Developers Association), represents the legacy and forward-thinking spirit of family-run businesses. With a background in law, economics, and business, she champions structural change in Spain’s housing policy. Roca believes real estate leadership demands team communication and empathy, as well as strategy, and a broad understanding of multiple disciplines. "Leaders must prioritize and balance competing demands from different specialists", she said.
Across their journeys, innovation stands out as a common thread—whether through groundbreaking digital tools like LandCam, or even simple workflow and team composition improvements, as Daniela Mejía Puccio noted. "Innovation isn’t just about tech—it includes improving communication, atmosphere, and workflow."
On motivation and vision, the experts agreed that a long-term outlook is essential, especially in family businesses or large corporate structures. Marta Colás highlighted the importance of embracing diverse skill sets and challenging the status quo to engage younger talent.
Each panelist also acknowledged that leadership is learned—not innate. For Marta Colás, early mentors and intentional career choices played a key role in shaping her approach. "Choose who you work for as carefully as the job itself," advised Colás. At the same time, the personal side of leadership was not overlooked and they spoke candidly about the often- invisible pressures women face, especially in balancing motherhood and high-level careers.