Paradigm for Parity Helps Close the Gender Leadership Gap in REITs

This article is the seventh in a series highlighting the Nareit Foundation’s DTD 2025 grantees, part of an initiative focused on increasing the visibility, awareness, and appeal of the REIT industry. The Foundation’s DTD program prioritizes three main goals: supporting pipeline and talent development, expanding procurement and business development, and making REITs understandable and accessible to everyday investors. In 2025, the Foundation provided grants to nine nonprofit organizations, including Paradigm for Parity, a coalition distinguished for its commitment to closing the corporate leadership gap for women from all backgrounds.

Building strong leadership pipelines is a critical priority for the REIT industry. As firms adapt to new business strategies and an evolving operating environment, the demand for executives with operational expertise, financial acumen, and forward-looking leadership skills continues to grow.

The Nareit Foundation’s Dividends Through Diversity program is supporting that effort by partnering with Paradigm for Parity, a coalition recognized for its proven approach to preparing professionals for senior roles. Through its Profit and Loss Leadership Accelerator Program, Paradigm for Parity equips participants with the technical, strategic, and leadership capabilities required to step confidently into executive positions, ensuring businesses—including REITs and commercial real estate companies—have the bench strength they need for long-term success.

Profit and Loss Leadership Accelerator Program

Founded in 2016 by current and former business leaders, Paradigm for Parity works to help talented professionals reach leadership positions. Nadine Bullock-Pottinga, strategic advisor and former CEO of Paradigm for Parity, explains that company’s model is unique, as it provides members access to resources, expert advice, and a network of 150 peers across different industries.

The Profit and Loss Leadership Accelerator Program is designed to address gaps in leadership development and company culture by offering hands-on profit and loss (P&L) training, executive coaching, and internal company sponsorship, which is recognized as necessary for driving real progress.

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Both the participants and their sponsors receive comprehensive training, enabling sponsors to actively support and help accelerate the growth of emerging leaders. Rather than just focusing on basic skills, the program is intentionally designed to help participants fast track into leadership roles.

The curriculum combines technical training with the development of interpersonal and soft skills. Participants take part in a hands-on business simulation, where they run a mock company, make P&L decisions, and present their strategies to a simulated board of directors.

To further support growth, the program provides workshops and executive coaching focused on emotional intelligence, resilience, and confidence. This blend of practical experience and personal development prepares women to confidently step into operational leadership roles,  Bullock-Pottinga says.

The Nareit Foundation and Paradigm for Parity Join Forces

With support from the Nareit Foundation grant, more emerging leaders can join the Accelerator Program, which provides tuition subsidies to increase accessibility. This funding guarantees spots for REIT professionals in the six-month leadership development initiative, preparing them for advanced operational roles and helping to build a stronger, more well-rounded talent pipeline.

The grant will provide support for six exceptional women from the REIT network, with an emphasis on those who may lack the company or personal resources to fund their participation. The initiative is designed to enhance their skills and promote career advancement. According to Bullock-Pottinga, the collaboration with the Nareit Foundation shows the powerful role that industry associations can play in building a more dynamic pipeline of future leaders.

“This partnership has really been groundbreaking,” Bullock-Pottinga says.

Nareit is urging its member companies to nominate women for the program. By increasing awareness and participation, this partnership aims to encourage more organizations to intentionally develop the next generation of leaders and to further expand and transform the industry’s workforce.

Beyond expanding access to the Accelerator Program, the Nareit Foundation’s grant will play a critical role in strengthening the program’s curriculum. This includes updating course modules and adding new case studies that tackle important topics like sustainability and digital transformation.

The funding will also be used to recruit and train more mentors from the REIT industry, ensuring that participants receive personalized guidance and support. Additionally, a part of the grant will be used for collecting data and measuring impact to keep the program accountable and drive ongoing improvement.

The program’s outcomes are tracked through surveys that are given upon entry and at six, 12, and 18 months after completion. Notably, up to 20% of recent cohorts received promotions or increased responsibilities within six months, Bullock-Pottinga points out. Other tracked metrics include attendance, leadership skill growth, confidence, and earning potential. With each cohort, the number of women ready for senior leadership increases, and after four cohorts, the program boasts 55 graduates.

Building a Robust Pipeline for the Future

As new opportunities emerge, the collaboration between Paradigm for Parity and Nareit will continue to drive meaningful progress. 

“The Profit and Loss Leadership Accelerator strengthens the future of the REIT sector by developing leaders who are prepared to take on complex operational roles,” says Ayris T. Scales, Nareit’s senior vice president of social responsibility & global initiatives. “This investment in talent not only supports career advancement but also builds a leadership bench that benefits the industry as a whole.”

One of Paradigm for Parity’s greatest strengths, says Scales, is its ability to bring together leaders and partners around a shared vision. “As a returning grantee, they consistently show that collaboration amplifies impact and helps build a strong pipeline of future leaders who will benefit the REIT industry for years to come,” she notes.

Looking Ahead

Bullock-Pottinga sees a future full of opportunity. By expanding the Accelerator Program—such as through company-specific and international cohorts—the REIT sector can accelerate progress and take real steps toward closing the gender gap and developing dynamic and vibrant pools of talent.

“The more we can increase access to the program, the more we can help move the needle and the greater the potential to see meaningful change in representation and leadership within the industry,” she says.