BURLINGTON, MA–Boston Real Estate Times Presents on Wednesday honored Outstanding Women of Commercial Real Estate of 2025 at its annual Outstanding Women of the Year Awards gala at Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA.
Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio served as the Chief Guest and the Keynote Speaker.
To watch the six-minute video intro, please click here, or on the image below.
These remarkable women were celebrated for their vision, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence and leadership in their respective fields. Here they are listed in alphabetical order:
Elizabeth Berthelette
Head of Northeast Research at Newmark
With nearly two decades of experience, Elizabeth serves as Newmark’s Head of Northeast Research and National Life Sciences Research in the firm’s Boston office. She has held leadership roles with CREW Boston and continues to lead with a focus on growth and insight in the commercial real estate sector.
Kimberly Burkert
CEO of Bala Consulting Engineers
Kimberly has dedicated over 20 years to Bala, starting in the accounting department and rising to Chief Financial Officer, and ultimately to Chief Executive Officer. As a female CEO in a traditionally male-dominated industry, she has become a passionate advocate for women in the AEC fields, garnering recognition among the nation’s top executives.
CREW Boston
Since its inception in 1982, CREW Boston (formerly New England Women in Real Estate) has played a pivotal role in advancing women within the commercial real estate industry. With over 600 members, CREW Boston offers valuable opportunities for professional growth, development, and networking, supporting both its members and the Greater Boston real estate community.
Kate Crosby
Senior Vice President of Portfolio Management at The Davis Companies
Kate is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end investment processes for the company’s value-add funds. She ensures the integrity of fund valuations, reporting, and overall portfolio strategy, making significant contributions to the firm’s strategic goals.
Jackie Flanigan
Senior Associate at Annum Architects
As a senior associate at Annum Architects, Jackie manages projects with complex stakeholder dynamics, balancing design excellence with technical requirements. Her expertise in programming, planning, and design focuses on building strong client relationships and ensuring that each project aligns with client goals.
Joanna Hilvert
Vice President, Integration, Environmental, and ESG at BioMed Realty
Since joining BioMed Realty in 2020, Joanna has leveraged 25 years of commercial real estate experience to lead environmental initiatives, including the redevelopment of 330 Third Street in Cambridge’s Kendall Square, a site with a challenging industrial legacy. Under her leadership, environmental considerations have been a key focus.
Rose Liu
Senior Financial Analyst at Colliers
Rose is a key member of the Colliers US Capital Markets Analytics Group, specializing in financial analytics, debt advisory, and equity placement. With over a decade of experience across various asset classes, Rose has contributed to transactions totaling more than $1 billion.
Shannon McCarthy
Vice President and Director of Marketing at Timberline Construction
A fixture in the Greater Boston real estate community for over 20 years, Shannon serves as the Vice President and Director of Marketing at Timberline Construction. She plays a key role in the firm’s brand strategy, business development, and marketing communications, shaping its public image and strategic outreach.
Jo-Ann Marzullo
Real Estate Attorney at Ligris + Associates PC
With over 35 years of experience, Jo-Ann recently led the opposition to a proposed uniform law on the operation of drones over private property, successfully ensuring its withdrawal. Her legal expertise is instrumental in shaping policies and safeguarding property rights.
Fran Noval
Co-Managing Director and Principal at Gensler’s Boston Office
Fran brings nearly 30 years of experience and a proven track record in managing large-scale projects, having shaped over 16 million square feet of work in Boston. Her leadership on major corporate headquarters for companies like Verizon, Sanofi, and Mass General Brigham demonstrates her innovative approach and organizational success.
Alison Rundlett
Deputy General Counsel at Bain Capital Real Estate
Alison joined Bain Capital Real Estate in 2021 after a distinguished career at Ropes & Gray. As Deputy General Counsel, she manages legal aspects of transactions and process improvements, contributing to Bain’s significant growth and ensuring consistency across its legal and risk functions.
Jennifer Schultz
Partner and Leader of the National Permitting & Land Use Practice at Nixon Peabody
Jennifer is renowned for her deep understanding of her clients’ strategies, building long-term relationships that allow her to navigate complex land use and commercial real estate projects. She represents a broad spectrum of clients, including developers, universities, hospitals, and nonprofits.
Lynn Tokarczyk
President of Business Development Strategies, Inc.
Lynn is a leader in government tax incentives and economic development, with a remarkable track record in securing over $300 million in tax savings for Massachusetts companies. Her work has directly contributed to the creation of 15,000 new jobs and the reinvestment of $1 billion into the state’s economy.
“These outstanding women are shaping the future of commercial real estate in Boston and beyond, leading with vision, resilience, and unparalleled expertise,” said Upendra Mishra, publisher of the Boston Real Estate Times.
