For 20 years, Leader in the Light® has recognized Nareit member REITs that implement and engage stakeholders around responsible business practices that create value and positively impact communities within their portfolios and across the REIT industry.
2026 Leader in the Light Award Applications Now Open
The Leader in the Light Awards have evolved over the years; and in 2026, the awards will recognize various aspects of the REIT industry approach to responsible real estate practices, performance metrics, and public reporting during the prior year. Nareit Corporate Members are eligible to apply.
Learn more about the application process and get your questions answered by Nareit staff during an informational webinar on Oct 23. Register today
Applicants can preview the information required for the Leader in the Light Awards application here.
New Categories, Criteria, and Timelines
Previously, awards were based on the REIT industry sector. This year, there are three different categories — each with up to three award recipients, one from small-, mid-, and large-cap REITs.
Application Period: Oct. 1, 2025 - Dec. 31, 2025
Leader in the Light Award recipients will be announced in March 2026 at REITwise: 2026 Educational Conference.
New Award Categories:
- Transparency: Recognizes REITs that provide comprehensive and decision-useful information on the company's opportunities and risks and demonstrate strong corporate governance.
- Operations: Recognizes REITs implementing innovative approaches to responsible design, development, retrofit, and/or property operations, which result in measurable impact on asset performance.
- Responsibility: Recognizes REITs that have put in place responsible business practices that result in a measurable positive impact on their workforce, tenants, and/or the communities they serve.
Leader in the Light Awards recognition will be based on market cap. There will be up to nine awards issued in 2026.
- Large Cap: >$10B
- Medium Cap: $2-10B
- Small Cap: <$2B
Where to Submit Applications: Applications must be submitted through the online form, which can be found here.
2024 Leader in the Light Awards – Honoring Recipients
Learn more about the 2024 Leader in the Light Awards recipients and their industry-leading strategies applied across each of the property sectors.
Recognizing 20 Years of Rewards
2005-2024 Leader in the Light Awards Recipients