menu
img Search
img
Join NAIOP

Developing Leaders Award

2024 Developing Leader Award Recipients

NAIOP is pleased to announce the recipients of the annual Developing Leaders Award honoring up-and-coming commercial real estate professionals, 35 years of age and under, for their valued contribution and commitment to the industry. The 2025 Developing Leaders Award will be presented to 4 recipients who have shown exemplary achievements and demonstrated outstanding professional accomplishments in the commercial real estate industry.

The 2025 DLA recipients will be honored during NAIOP’s CRE.Converge, September 8-10, in addition to receiving publicity and unrivaled networking opportunities. Furthermore, the award recipient and their immediate supervisor receive complimentary registration to attend CRE.Converge.

Established in 2006, the Developing Leaders Award has been given to rising industry professionals from across NAIOP’s chapter network in all sectors of commercial real estate. Applicants for this award must be a member of NAIOP in good standing and are selected based on the following criteria: leadership, professional competency, career goals, NAIOP participation and community involvement.

Applications for the 2026 Developing Leaders Award will be open in spring 2026.

Questions? Contact Beth Gulding at awards@naiop.org or 703-904-7100.

Award Criteria

Eligibility

  • NAIOP member in good standing.
  • 35 years of age and under.
  • Commercial real estate professional (full-time students are not eligible).
  • Support from your organization to attend CRE.Converge 2025, September 8-10 in Toronto, Ontario.
  • Previous winners of this award are not eligible.

Criteria

Recipients of the Developing Leaders Award will be selected based on the following:

  • Leadership.
  • Professional competency.
  • Career goals.
  • NAIOP participation.
  • Community involvement.

Applications will be judged by leading industry professionals.

Submission Checklist

Each online submission should include the following information:

  • Completed online application 
    • Career Overview (not to exceed 100 words per question)
      • What motivated you to get involved in commercial real estate?
      • What is your ultimate career goal?
      • NAIOP involvement and awards won (both chapter and corporate level).
      • How has being a member of NAIOP helped your career?
    • A personal statement of why you should be selected for the Developing Leaders Award (not to exceed 500 words).
    • Resume (not to exceed two pages).
  • Chapter Support Form (required).
  • Supervisor Consent and Recommendation Form (required).
  • Proof of age may be requested.

Recognition

  • Award recipients will receive one (1) complimentary registration to CRE.Converge 2025.
  • Award recipient’s supervisor will receive one (1) complimentary registration to CRE.Converge 2025 (supervisor registration is nontransferable).
  • Award presentation and reception event at CRE.Converge 2025.
  • Press release announcing the Developing Leaders Award recipients.
  • Article featuring the Developing Leaders Award recipients in Development magazine (print and online).
  • Recognition of Developing Leaders Award recipients on NAIOP’s Market Share Blog.

Past Winners

2024 Developing Leaders Award Winners
Press Release and Development magazine profile

2023 Developing Leaders Award Winners
Press Release and Development magazine profile

Close