Diane Morefield, CFO of CyrusOne (NASDAQ: CONE) and chair of NAREIT’s new Dividends Through Diversity Initiative, joined REIT.com for a video interview at REITWeek 2017: NAREIT’s Investor Forum at the New York Hilton Midtown.
The Dividends Through Diversity Initiative was launched earlier this year and held its first reception at REITWeek 2017.
Morefield explained that Dividends Through Diversity will focus on advancing, promoting and mentoring women within the real estate industry. She noted that the percent of women in C-level positions, or at board level, is low.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” Morefield said. “Sometimes, there has to be an active initiative to help promote change.”
Noting that women play a key role in various decisions that impact the real estate industry, Morefield observed that “companies really miss out” if they don’t have women at in leadership roles to help shape strategy.
“If companies embrace more women in those roles, I really believe that it will create and enhance shareholder value,” Morefield said.