Dianna Wilhelm — in her role as Membership Committee Chair in 2010 — knew NAIOP Maryland needed to attract younger members to assure its future. She elicited the support of James F. Knott, Jr., to uncover creative ways to attract new industry professionals, and borrowed an idea successfully being used by several NAIOP chapters around the country.
A growing crop of “Developing Leaders” — which targeted commercial real estate professionals 35 years of age and younger — was being established successfully by several NAIOP chapters around the country. Among the selling points were reduced membership costs, the opportunity to network and form relationships with their peer group, the chance to be mentored and learn from more senior members, as well as gain access to traditional NAIOP resources and programs.
It was the perfect low-risk way to “test-drive” the Chapter for young professionals.
Developing Leaders mix with CRE veterans at Nick’s Fish House in 2015.
“Young professionals have different needs than more seasoned ones, but the most important thing when embarking on a career is gaining experience and building a strong and diverse network,” Wilhelm said. “That is why, at the outset, we focused on fun networking gatherings with an emphasis on socialization and meeting others experiencing the same career challenges. We mixed that in with speaking events — typically held over dinner — in which high-profile commercial real estate development professionals shared career insights and advice. Of course, Developing Leaders are entitled to attend every Chapter event so the young professionals receive the full NAIOP experience.”
Whit Levering, Alex Kopicki, Lauren Lindsay, and Kristen Schrader at Ryleigh’s Oyster in 2014.
The effort met with immediate success, as approximately 20 young professionals joined the group in its first year. In subsequent years, as the 35-and-under group began to “age out” and evolve into full Chapter members, select professionals naturally moved into leadership roles with the Chapter.
Knott became the first Developing Leader to elevate to Chapter president in 2014, and was immediately succeeded by Brendan Gill, a former Chair of the Developing Leader program, in 2016.
NAIOP-MD Developing Leaders also started to be recognized for their accomplishments on a national level. Eleven professionals have been honored with the National Developing Leader Award while competing with professionals from nearly 60 Chapters.
The list includes: Kate Nolan Bryden (2018), Ryan Burrows (2016), Taylor Fields (2012), Brendan Gill (2011), Alex Kopicki (2009), Kate Jordan (2016); Jonathan Manekin (2015); Christopher Murray (2013), Spencer Perry (2019) and Nicole Wilhelm-Smith (2014).
Kate Connelly, Spencer Perry and Megan Ryan at Camden Yards in 2017.
NAIOP Maryland continues its dominance in the award with the selection of Michael Tait this year.
Efforts reached their pinnacle when the Chapter earned the “National Developing Leader Program of the Year” award in the medium chapter category in 2012.
Spencer Perry, Senior Vice President of Truist, who served as Developing Leaders Chair from 2017 to 2020, said his involvement in the DL program was instrumental to his growth and success in the financial and real estate industries.
“I did not grow up or attend school in the Maryland area so when starting in the business, I basically had no local relationships. Joining the DL group was foundational in my ability to build a business network and mix with my peers,” Perry said. “After assuming the leadership position, I attended the monthly board of directors meetings and witnessed first-hand the tremendous collaboration between major commercial real estate players. Joining the DL group was among the best decisions I have ever made.”
