Meet Bisnow’s 2026 New York Power Women Honorees

There were plenty of reasons for New York City’s commercial real estate titans to turn pessimistic in 2026 — if that were in their nature.

Persistent inflation has kept interest rates elevated, the 10-year Treasury yield surpassed 5% and stayed there, and institutional equity has stuck to the sidelines. 

On a local level, the industry is navigating a new left-wing mayoral administration — one that has promised to toughen its approach to landlords — and watching a coming gubernatorial election. 

But the last thing true New Yorkers would do is bet against New York. That’s why, despite the changing landscape and increasing pressures, this year has been defined by new record office rents, skyline-shaping groundbreakings and potential solutions for the housing crisis. 

Every year, Bisnow honors a group of women for their excellence in leadership, innovation, influence and impact on the business capital of the world. Each plays a key role in moving the market forward. 

Women represent 26% of C-suite executives and 33% of board members at large commercial real estate companies, according to a Bisnow analysis of the industry. Despite being a minority, this year’s honorees are powerful dealmakers, indispensable leaders and supportive mentors. 

Many are also caring mothers, giving philanthropists and cherished friends. 

These women were nominated by peers in their respective fields across development, asset management, brokerage, capital markets, policy and more. A steering committee evaluates the nominations and selects the honorees.

This year’s steering committee consisted of RXR’s Whitney Arcaro, BGO’s Abbe Franchot Borok, Scotiabank’s Linda Foggie, Hunton Andrews Kurth’s Laurie Grasso and Harbor Group International’s Lesley Lisser.

Join Bisnow in celebrating the honorees at the New York Power Women Cocktail & Award Ceremony on Nov. 4 at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held at Silverstein Properties’ 3 World Trade Center. 

Get tickets here.

Leadership Honorees

• Emma Buckland, executive group president, enterprise and chief operating officer, building operations and experience, CBRE

• Stacy Goldstein, senior partner, real estate finance, Riemer & Braunstein

• Michelle Herrick, head of commercial real estate, JPMorgan Chase

• Nicole Kushner Meyer, president, Kushner Cos. 

• Cathy Marcus, co-head, global chief operating officer, real estate, PGIM Real Estate

• Sara Queen, head of U.S., Oxford Properties

• Samantha Rudin Earls, co-CEO, Rudin

• Hilary Spann, executive vice president, New York region, BXP

• Cynthia Wasserberger, vice chairman, New York brokerage, JLL

Innovation Honorees

• Laura Bush, regional director, NYC metro, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Consigli Construction

• Elysa Goldman, senior vice president, development and property management, Extell Development

• Rebecca Gromet, principal, KPF

• Alison Kwiatkowski, vice president, global workplace experience, American Express

• Diana Liu, principal, digital infrastructure, Blue Owl Capital

• Monique Rafferty, senior vice president, marketing, Eastern region, Newmark

• Stephanie Rogowski, vice president, design and planning, SL Green Realty

Influence Honorees

• Tricia Dietz, assistant commissioner, housing incentives, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

• Karen Hu, principal, head of development, Camber Property Group

• YuhTyng Patka, partner, Adler & Stachenfeld

• Carrie Van Syckel, chief investment officer, L+M Development

• Sherry Wang, partner, real estate, Vistria Group

Impact Honorees

• Marnie Adams, head of commercial closing, Bayview Asset Management

• Lauren Cahill, senior vice president, Grubb Properties

• Mikki Columbus, vice president, leasing and development, Prologis

• Molly Goldfarb, managing director, head of debt capital markets, TPG

• Marisa Gadlin, chief administrative officer, executive vice president, head of core holdings, Rockefeller Group

• Jeehae Lee, deputy chief investment officer, bridge debt strategies fund, Bridge Investment Group

• Molly Mikuljan, senior vice president, deputy general counsel and director of risk management, Silverstein Properties

• Samantha Rotchford, managing director, real estate credit opportunities fund, BDT & MSD Partners

• Lauren Young, managing partner, real estate, Brookfield