Shortly after I returned from the Fall Meeting in Dallas, our local Toronto Metro News began a series of articles addressing the gross underrepresentation of women on corporate boards. It was at that moment, the true opportunity of the WLI Prologis Scholarship hit me. I had just returned home from a week of being surrounded by women who exude inspiration, ingenuity and, of course, leadership. I was instantly aware of how rare an opportunity it was to have witnessed a week of such accomplished, powerful and professional women sharing their wisdom on the real estate industry in front of an international audience.

It began the moment I landed in Dallas with the WLI Steering Committee meeting. From connecting with my mentor, WLI Vice Chair Kelly Nagel, who unlocked the conference by downloading me with the best of the “how to guide for the Fall Meeting”, to Onay Payne of Clarion Partners, who offered precise and encouraging perspectives on the path up the career ladder at the WLI Prologis Breakfast. Wendy Rowden, WLI Global Chair, led a thoughtful and reflective conversation with Lucy Billingsley of Billingsley Company at View from the Top while Serena Wolfe, WLI Chair of Governance and Research, hosted an insightful and impactful day at the Urban Development and Mixed-Use Bronze Product Council. ULI Chair of the Americas Trish Healy closed the Fall Meeting with a direct and honest interview with former President George W. Bush.

Attending the Fall Meeting was also enlightening from a technical perspective. Having the opportunity to dig deep and understand case studies on urban development solutions such as Dallas’ Klyde Warren Park (a deck park over a freeway that has uplifted and unlocked its surroundings) or the transformational function of the restaurant incubator at Trinity Groves was an important part of my experience. Living in Canada’s largest city, it is often difficult to find domestic examples or precedents to model.The week in Dallas provided me with ample mental candy as I contemplate local opportunities such as the recently proposed Rail Deck Park in downtown Toronto (read: Klyde Warren Park) or the massive redevelopment opportunities that await us within our Port Lands (read: Trinity Groves).

As I reflect back on the Fall Meeting, I can’t help but be energized to drive the conversation and the face of real estate development here in Toronto. I feel an immense sense of gratitude towards ULI, WLI and the Toronto District Council for affording our industry the ability to connect, collaborate and to drive each other forward. Thank you Prologis and WLI Global for making the Fall Meeting experience available to me. I am extremely honored and humbled by my experiences.