Many children are drawn to busy construction sites with lumbering excavators digging deep piles of dirt – but not everyone gets to see a construction site up close. Growing up, MaryVictoria Montanari idolized her father, the late Victor L. Barr Jr., an internationally acclaimed architect and partner at the Martin Organization before founding his own architectural firm in the early 1990s. She spent her childhood exploring construction sites wearing a hard hat and tool belt.

Montanari, a recipient of the 2025 Developing Leaders Award, went on to work as an executive assistant to Karen Daroff at Daroff Design in Philadelphia. In this position, Montanari learned about both design and commercial real estate, and how all the members of a team – developers, brokers, designers, architects, etc. – come together on a project. She now works as an associate principal, practice strategy leader, hospitality, with NELSON Worldwide.

Outside of work, Montanari is a member of NAIOP’s Greater Philadelphia chapter and an active member of the chapter’s events and Battle of the Bands committees. She serves as an executive committee member for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Philadelphia Big Climb and as a board member on the Committee of Seventy, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for the improvement of government in Philadelphia.

NAIOP asked this enterprising young leader about career advancement and the role of AI in CRE.

NAIOP: How has being a member of NAIOP helped your career?

Montanari: NAIOP has expanded my network tenfold. I have met many leading decision makers in Philadelphia through NAIOP signature events, programming and volunteer positions on committees. The membership base of NAIOP is filled with professionals who are eager to give back to young people in their careers; many executive members are passionate about mentorship and fueling the next generation of commercial real estate professionals. This has given me the confidence to connect and converse with senior men and women in prominent real estate companies because I have been able to get to know many of them on a personal level through NAIOP. Lastly, the Battle of the Bands is a prime CRE event on the Philadelphia calendar every year, and serving on the planning committee has polished my leadership skills immensely.

NAIOP: What is one piece of practical advice you would give to Developing Leaders who are just starting out in their careers?

Montanari: Take the time to learn about the people you meet and don’t only stick to business conversation. I am extremely proud of the professional network that I have built, and I am even more proud to consider so many people in that network as friends, too. If you’re going to spend so many hours with people in this industry, at conferences, in business meetings, or in all-day design charettes, you might as well enjoy it! The authentic relationships I have built through networking will span years and career changes, and it’s this “realness” that will take you far.

NAIOP: How do you use artificial intelligence currently? What role do you see AI playing in commercial real estate in the coming years?

Montanari: As the leader of a hospitality design team, I am awed by the time and money AI saves our team during the proposal process for new hotel and casino projects. We showcase the creative boundaries we can push by generating a variety of renderings in a matter of minutes, rather than the days it has historically taken. I see AI’s role in the future as continuing to be an aid for our industry, but I don’t believe it will ever totally replace the brokers, architects and engineers who are so critical to our success.. This industry is people driven and relationship driven at the end of the day, but I’m sure our record keeping and documentation will see an increase in efficiency with AI.

NAIOP: What is something you’re passionate about?

Montanari: Before becoming a mom, I probably would have said I’m passionate about the Philadelphia Eagles (which I am), or physical fitness or traveling, but this question has a different meaning now. Making sure that my family gets the best part of me every day when I get home from work is important to me. I try to be immensely present every minute that I get to spend as a mom and wife because those are the moments I can’t ever get back once they’re gone.

Read more about the 2025 Developing Leaders Award winners in Development magazine. Applications for the 2026 Developing Leaders Award are now open.