In the first article of this year’s Inspiring Women in Real Estate series, we explored how real estate is shifting from square meters to experience.

But delivering those experiences consistently requires a deeper transformation across the industry. As buildings become more complex environments, leaders are increasingly relying on data, technology, and new forms of interdisciplinary thinking to guide decisions.

The conversations with this year’s contributors reveal a clear direction: real estate is entering a new phase, one defined not only by better spaces, but by smarter ways of understanding and managing them.

From fragmented information to intelligent decision-making

One of the most fundamental shifts underway is how information flows through the industry. Real estate decisions are increasingly supported by richer datasets, more advanced analytics, and new digital infrastructure.

Alina Aeby, Founder and President of the Silicon Valley Proptech Association, believes this transformation begins with how data itself is structured.

“Real estate is shifting from fragmented information to integrated data infrastructure. Property, financial, and geospatial data are starting to connect into living datasets. As AI and digital twins mature, decisions about assets, lending, and development will increasingly rely on continuous data rather than static snapshots.”

Alexandra Rosian, Senior Fund Manager at ASR Dutch Mobility Office Fund, sees artificial intelligence gradually becoming part of everyday real estate decision-making.

“Artificial Intelligence is becoming increasingly relevant for the real estate industry. At a.s.r. real estate, we see AI as an enabler that is gradually being integrated into specific parts of our processes, particularly to improve information provision and decision support.”

But she emphasizes that technology must be supported by strong fundamentals.

“High-quality, well-structured data is essential to benefiting from AI technologies. Over time, we expect AI to play an increasingly important role, but always as a complement to human expertise rather than a replacement.”

Samantha Sannella, National Senior Managing Director, Strategic Consulting Canada at Cushman & Wakefield, believes organizations already possess enormous amounts of information that can reshape workplace strategy.

“Organizations are sitting on extraordinary volumes of data from occupancy analytics, labour market tools, lease structures and behavioral insights. The firms that synthesize these data sources into clear business cases will outperform.”

For her, the challenge lies in translating insight into leadership decisions.

“Real estate leaders must translate complex data into board-level narratives that connect real estate to enterprise performance, culture, risk mitigation and growth strategy.”

Izabela Potrykus, Leasing Office Director at CPI Poland, also sees the industry becoming increasingly digital and data-driven.

“Buildings will become more digital, data-driven, and managed in real time. The influence of proptech and AI will only continue to grow, and the companies that succeed will be those that can seamlessly combine technology with thoughtful tenant relationship management.”

She also highlights how broader structural pressures are pushing the industry to adapt.

“Adapting buildings to new functions will become one of the most compelling areas of market growth. ESG — including energy efficiency, operational cost optimization, and data transparency — has become a direct driver of asset value and long-term competitiveness.”

Technology supporting human leadership

While technology is becoming more influential, many leaders emphasize that human insight remains essential to navigating an increasingly complex environment.

Mihaela Petruescu, Head of Property Services at Nhood Services Romania, believes the leaders who succeed will be those who combine analytical tools with empathy and judgment.

“Leaders will need to stay deeply human while operating in an increasingly intelligent environment. As AI becomes part of daily work — analysing data, simplifying processes and speeding up decisions — the value of empathy, judgement and connection actually increases.”

She adds that technology can help teams focus on more meaningful work.

“We already use AI to free our teams from data-heavy tasks, so they can spend more time on relationships and strategic thinking — the areas where human insight matters most.”

Florina Grosu, Leasing Manager at Adventum, sees the same shift happening in leasing and asset management.

“Deals aren’t closed by good spreadsheets alone. They’re won by people who listen, who understand what teams are trying to build culturally and who can translate that into workspace experiences.”

For Anamaria Cretu, Leasing & Asset Director at EVO Properties, this shift requires leaders to rethink their role entirely.

“One capability real estate leaders will need to develop to stay competitive is a true hospitality mindset. Today, owning buildings is not enough — we must actively manage experience.”

The capabilities future leaders will need

Beyond technology, many contributors believe the biggest transformation will come from how leaders think and operate.

Maria Jianu, Leasing Director at Speedwell Development, highlights the increasing complexity of decision-making in the industry.

“Interdisciplinary thinking is becoming essential. The industry is intersecting with technology, sustainability, urban planning, and behavioral shifts.”

She believes future leaders must consider a wider range of impacts.

“Leaders will need to connect these dimensions and make decisions that balance financial performance with long-term urban and social impact.”

For Andreea Paun, Managing Partner at Griffes, adaptability will be the defining leadership capability in a rapidly changing market.

“The ability to adapt fast and make good decisions even when you don’t have perfect information will define successful leaders.”

She adds that the industry rewards those who can adjust strategies quickly.

“The winners won’t be the ones who predict the future best, but the ones who adjust quickly — in what they build, how they invest, and how they lease.”

Ioana Sima, Investment Director at Inno Investments SAI, also believes adaptability will become one of the defining capabilities for real estate leaders.

“For me, adaptability is the key capability real estate leaders need. And I’m not talking only about adapting to AI, new technologies, or ESG requirements. It’s also about adapting to what tenants actually need and being able to shift quickly between asset types, for example, moving from office to residential as demand evolves. The leaders who can adjust fast will stay competitive.”

Amanda Barker, Senior Manager Leasing at GWL Realty Advisors, also sees agility as essential in an environment shaped by multiple external forces.

“Real estate leaders will need to be nimble to stay competitive in a market where shifts in supply and demand are influenced by changing economic, political, and social landscapes.”

She believes the most successful organizations will be those able to align the needs of multiple stakeholders.

“Owners and landlords who can create win-win solutions by understanding the driving factors impacting stakeholder and tenant decisions will succeed through every phase of the real estate cycle.”

Anca Mitrea, Head of ESG & Senior Asset Manager at Paval Holding, highlights the personal qualities required to navigate this evolving environment.

“The combination of grit and courage is decisive to stay competitive.”

At the same time, she reminds us of the enduring importance of the built environment itself.

“People will always need and value buildings. They live in them, work in them, shop in them and continue to imagine and create new ones.”

A smarter future for real estate

The insights shared in this year’s Inspiring Women in Real Estate series reveal an industry that is becoming both more intelligent and more interconnected.

Data, AI, and digital tools are expanding what is possible. But their real impact will depend on the leaders who interpret information, connect disciplines, and turn insight into strategy.

As these women demonstrate, the future of real estate will belong to organizations that combine technology with human understanding, adaptability with long-term thinking, and innovation with collaboration.

In other words, the next era of real estate will not simply be digital. It will be intelligent.