How a Late-Night Tweet Inspired Allison Weiss to Amplify Women's Voices in CRE

The platform now features 200 women speakers and has ambitions for far more.

Allison Weiss didn’t set out to revolutionize the visibility of women in commercial real estate. But one late night, a tweet from a friend sparked a fire that would eventually lead to the creation of Women Speak CRE, a platform designed to amplify women's voices in an industry long dominated by men.

The tweet revealed that her friend had been invited to speak at an event where she was the sole woman among 14 speakers. Weiss went to bed angry. “I knew it was bad from a percentage standpoint,” she said, “but I’m not great at math. So I pulled out my calculator and realized one out of 14 is around 7%. That’s just unacceptable.”

The frustration simmered overnight, and by morning, Weiss was determined to act. She posted on LinkedIn, asking a simple but powerful question: What can we do about this?

Having spent over a decade on the people side of commercial real estate, Weiss had witnessed firsthand how male-dominated panels and conferences perpetuated the cycle of exclusion. She’d heard all the excuses—claims that organizers didn’t know any women who specialized in certain areas or that they simply defaulted to familiar male speakers. “I thought we could take those excuses away if we created a network of experienced women who want speaking opportunities and visibility,” Weiss explained.

That LinkedIn post quickly gained traction, and within a week, Weiss had compiled a Google Sheet with 100 women eager to be part of the solution. Recognizing the potential impact, she transformed the list into something more sophisticated—a searchable directory with a user-friendly interface. With guidance from industry allies like Beth Azor and hospitality executives Lan Elliot and Rachel Humphrey, Weiss launched Women Speak CRE three months later. Today, the platform features nearly 200 women, with plans to expand to 500 by year’s end.

The site is more than just a directory; it’s a resource designed to eliminate barriers between women and speaking opportunities. Profiles include detailed information such as areas of expertise, professional titles, company affiliations, asset classes, preferred speaking topics, and even LinkedIn URLs for deeper insights into each candidate’s experience.

Weiss notes that many of these women are “multi-hyphenates,” balancing roles as asset managers while running their own investment companies or pursuing other entrepreneurial ventures.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Media outlets, podcast hosts, event organizers, and corporate conference planners have tapped into the platform to diversify their speaker rosters. Indeed, GlobeSt.com is one user of Women Speak CRE, and has used the site to book 21 speaker slots for the upcoming Women of Influence event—a testament to the platform’s effectiveness.

“The caliber of women on this list is incredibly high,” Weiss noted proudly. “Many are executive leaders or C-suite professionals actively working in the field.”

But Weiss’s vision extends far beyond creating a directory. She sees Women Speak CRE as part of a broader mission to increase visibility for women in commercial real estate, one that can lead to better opportunities, higher income, and greater equity in an industry where females often face systemic challenges. “I think the more visible you are, the more connected you are,” Weiss explained. “Better opportunities lead to better compensation, and that’s something I’m passionate about addressing.”

Weiss is exploring initiatives like media training programs and skill development workshops to support women's growth further. She’s also launching a podcast called Spotlight, which will feature stories from women on the platform and provide them with additional avenues for exposure. For her, it’s not just about getting more women on stages; it’s about retaining them in the industry by fostering connections and creating opportunities.

Importantly, Women Speak CRE remains free for all users. It's a platform for speakers and organizations seeking talent—a deliberate choice by Weiss to ensure accessibility and remove financial barriers. The site is secure and collects minimal information without selling data, reinforcing its mission as a tool for empowerment rather than profit.

Weiss is also committed to keeping the initiative female-driven; every aspect of its development, from branding to backend support that is handled by women. “It’s done by women, for women,” she said proudly.