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Breaking Barriers in CRE: Jenalyn Gardner & Women of Influence

Podcast

The Crexi Team

June 25, 2025

A woman on stage leads a group of women professionals in a conference

Jenalyn Gardner shares how GlobeSt’s Women of Influence is driving CRE dealmaking, tech adoption, and visibility for women leaders across the industry.

The Crexi Podcast explores various aspects of the commercial real estate industry in conversation with some of the top CRE professionals in the space. In each episode, we feature different guests to tap into their wealth of CRE expertise and explore the latest trends and updates from the world of commercial real estate.

In this episode of The Crexi Podcast, host Shanti Ryle sits down with Jena to delve into the world of commercial real estate and the successful Women of Influence program. Jenalyn shares her journey from the newsroom to shaping content for GlobeSt events, emphasizing the importance of relationships and mentorship in her career. 

The discussion explores how the Women of Influence initiative empowers women, fosters deal-making, and addresses the unique challenges women face in the industry. Jenalyn also highlights the growing integration of technology in CRE, providing insights into where the most opportunities lie in the current market landscape. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on breaking barriers, building robust networks, and driving impactful changes in commercial real estate.

  • Introduction to The Crexi Podcast
  • Meet Jenalyn Gardner: Director of Programming at GlobeSt
  • Jenalyn's Career Journey and Achievements
  • The Importance of Commercial Real Estate
  • Building Expertise and Relationships in CRE
  • Women of Influence: Concept and Challenges
  • The Evolution and Impact of Women of Influence Events
  • The Role of Technology and Networking in CRE
  • Highlighting Success Stories and Future Goals
  • Building a Year-Round Community
  • Leveraging AI for Fast Content Creation
  • Expanding Platforms and Social Media Presence
  • Highlighting Women of Influence Through Podcasts
  • Encouraging Women to Share Their Stories
  • Women of Influence Miniseries and Events
  • Impact of Women of Influence on Deal Making
  • Opportunities for Women in Commercial Real Estate
  • The Role of Technology in Real Estate
  • Multifamily and Healthcare as Safe Investments

discount code CREXIPOD200 for $200 off GlobeSt Women of Influence Conference

Watch “Breaking Barriers in CRE: Jenalyn Gardner & Women of Influence” on YouTube

About Jenalyn Gardner:

Jena Gardner is the Director of Programming for GlobeSt Real Estate. She leads the strategy and development of all content related to GlobeSt Real Estate events. In her role as Director of programming, Jena has executed some of the portfolio's most successful events, streamlined messaging across media channels, and developed an unparalleled brand identity, making the GlobeSt brand the epicenter of industry dealmaking across the commercial real estate events and information space. A frequent contributor to GlobeSt.com, Jena works closely with the editorial staff to uphold the content integrity of GlobeSt. Her “in the trenches” approach to subject matter research has led to powerful industry relationships with some of commercial real estate's top decision makers and thought leaders. 

Jena also leads the strategy and development of all things Women of Influence, including the launch of the exclusive Women of Influence social media platform The Hive, year round Women of Influence mini-series events, and the leader of the influential Women of Influence Advisory Board – who together – are working to transform the the commercial real estate industry by elevating women to positions of power. 

 Jena started her career in the newsroom, as an editor and content strategist for PRNewswire. She pivoted into the world of corporate events after inheriting the print and packaging portfolio at Smithers Information, where she spearheaded the company’s most successful and influential event, Sustainability in Packaging. She also launched the second and third most successful events, Packaging for Ecommerce and Smart Packaging. 

A graduate of the University of Akron with a Bachelor in Business Communications, Jena lives with her husband and two sons in Akron, OH. In her free time, she loves a good book, quality family and girlfriend time, and some not-so-good quality… reality television.

About Crexi’s Commercial Real Estate Podcast:

Crexi’s commercial real estate podcast features conversations across all aspects of commercial real estate with industry leading investors, developers, brokers, and professionals. Among the top 5% of commercial real estate podcasts, The Crexi Podcast sits down with industry experts to investigate trends, educate listeners, and uncover the latest happenings and news in the world of commercial real estate. To listen to all episodes for free, check out The Crexi Podcast's full library here.

Crexi is reimagining commercial real estate with an AI-powered platform built to deliver smarter, more efficient solutions at every stage of the deal lifecycle. From real-time data and market insights with Crexi Intelligence, to targeted property marketing and seamless deal management through Crexi PRO, and a transparent, time-bound bidding experience with Crexi Auction— Crexi enables users to evaluate opportunities, maximize exposure, and close with speed and confidence. To date, Crexi has facilitated over $1 trillion in transactions, 8.6 billion square feet leased, and supports a growing community of more than 2 million monthly active users. 

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