By Shaine Anderson
On April 8, NAIOP and REEC hosted the annual Navigating Inclusion, Change, and Impact in CRE Roundtable event in Dallas, held in conjunction with the REEC conference. The event drew 75 attendees committed to advancing inclusion in the CRE industry. The event was facilitated by Joe Ritchie, Tishman Speyer and NAIOP DEI committee chair, and Dionna Sallis, Ferguson Partners.
Sandra Benjamin, Esq., Latham Watkins, began the event by discussing the impact of recent litigation and Trump administration executive orders on DEI programs. She provided guidelines and strategies for mitigating risks while maintaining inclusion principles.
Although a recent Trump administration executive order only prohibits “illegal DEI,” ambiguity as to what that means is causing many companies to evaluate their practices, both in terms of legal risk as well as the potential for investigation or legal challenge. Benjamin recommended consulting with legal counsel regarding establishing and managing DEI programs. The session included interactive scenarios for attendees to evaluate and discuss potential approaches.
The second part of the event featured a panel of industry practitioners, including Sherrida Traynham from Clarion Partners, Ryan Mitchell from CBRE, and Latoya Lovick from the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), discussing how they are navigating the changing landscape. Companies are currently auditing their diversity, equity and inclusion programs and practices, including employee resource groups, scholarship programs and hiring practices. These audits include legal reviews and considerations for changes in participation criteria, programming language, and marketing and promotion.
The event concluded with an interactive discussion led by Tina Gilbert from Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT). Gilbert focused on the “business alignment approach,” which prioritizes inclusion as rigorously as other business areas, emphasizing structural and systemic change. Attendees explored the importance of mentorship and capacity-building programs for diverse firms, the role of employee resource groups in fostering inclusion, and strategies for minority-owned businesses to thrive.
Overall attendee sentiment at the event reflected a more measured approach to DEI given the current environment. However, most attendees remained optimistic, reporting that their companies remain committed to inclusion as an integral part of their culture.
Thank you to event sponsors Avanath Capital Management and Tishman Speyer. The REEC/NAIOP Roundtable is an annual complimentary event open to all NAIOP and REEC members. If you wish to participate in the 2026 event, please email Anderson@naiop.org.
