Courtney Keller, President, CREW Orlando

April 2026 — Invest: spoke with Courtney Keller, president of CREW Orlando, about how the organization is evolving to support women and other professionals across the commercial real estate ecosystem. She described CREW Orlando as the region’s premier business networking organization in commercial real estate, with a growing focus on leadership development, mentorship, and strategic connectivity. “Our organization is really good about being a staple that members can come back to and leverage a network of professionals who are always willing to help and support,” Keller said.

What is CREW Orlando’s mission and how does the organization fit into the broader CREW Network?

CREW Orlando stands for Commercial Real Estate Women of Orlando. Our mission is to accelerate success for all women in the global commercial real estate industry. We see ourselves as the premier business networking organization for women in the industry, and we work to earn that position by creating meaningful business connections, leadership development pathways, and educational programming on the most relevant topics in commercial real estate.

Our membership spans a wide range of roles and disciplines across the commercial real estate spectrum, which gives the organization a broad, marketwide perspective. Locally, CREW Orlando is one chapter within the global CREW Network platform, which includes more than 15,000 professionals and over 80 chapters worldwide. Being part of that network gives our members access to a much larger community of peers, business opportunities and leadership experiences, while still maintaining a strong, relationship-driven local chapter in Central Florida.

What are your near-term strategic priorities, and how do they align with CREW Orlando’s long-term vision?

One of my primary priorities is to strengthen our internal systems and planning so that the organization can continue to grow in a sustainable way. We operate with what I would describe as a working board. Our directors are all volunteers who are deeply involved in the day-to-day planning of events, programming and leadership initiatives. That level of engagement is a strength, but it can also limit our ability to step back and focus on long-term strategy.

Over time, I want to help transition CREW Orlando from a predominantly working board to a more strategic board model. The professionals who serve on our board are highly respected leaders in the industry and community, and their time is incredibly valuable. I want to make sure we are using it to ask the big questions: How do we become a better organization? How do we deliver even more value to our members? How do we anticipate the next set of needs in the market? Shifting some of the operational work off the board and into repeatable systems will allow us to lean more fully into that strategic role and position CREW Orlando for its next chapter of growth.

What skills and competencies are critical for commercial real estate professionals today?

Because our membership reflects many segments of the industry, the skills people need depend in part on where they sit in the commercial real estate ecosystem. That said, there are a few themes that cut across disciplines. One is the importance of mentorship and continuous development at every stage of a career. We hear consistently that members, especially younger professionals, want guidance on how to navigate the industry, build their networks and make smart career moves.

We are building a mentorship program that pairs members at different career stages, and we are very focused on continuing to strengthen that pipeline of talent, particularly for women in commercial real estate. The need for mentorship doesn’t stop after the early years. We also see mid-career and more seasoned professionals seeking support as they consider transitioning into new roles or segments, such as moving from brokerage into development. For all of these professionals, having access to mentors, peers and business leaders who understand the nuances of the market and can share real-world advice is becoming an important differentiator.

How are you evolving CREW Orlando’s programming and opportunities to meet changing needs and expectations?

We are fortunate to have a board that is both thoughtful and creative about how we design opportunities for our members. On a foundational level, we offer multiple formats for connection: large group events, smaller gatherings and structured educational programming. For example, we host a monthly lunch program at the Citrus Club that features panels on timely topics in commercial real estate or issues shaping our regional economy. Those programs serve a dual purpose: they are networking venues and educational sessions.

We complement those with social and special events that bring another dimension to the member experience. Our annual golf tournament blends relationship-building with visibility in the business community. Looking ahead, we are spearheading a new effort called Play Bingo, an event originally created by the Orlando City Soccer Foundation. We were asked to take it over because there is a recognition that CREW women are highly effective when we commit to an initiative. That event will create another touchpoint for networking while supporting charitable causes that align with our mission.

Scholarships are another important piece of how we create opportunity. Since launching our scholarship program in 2020, we have awarded more than $160,000 to undergraduate and graduate women pursuing careers in commercial real estate. Those recipients also receive a CREW Orlando membership, which allows them to fully engage with the organization and begin building their networks early. Together, these efforts create an ecosystem of professional development, connection and community impact.

What are some of the biggest challenges your members are facing, and how is CREW Orlando helping them navigate those issues?

One recurring challenge relates to career transitions and overall economic uncertainty. Some of our members are changing roles or moving into different segments of the industry, while others have experienced job loss or restructuring in the wake of market shifts.

In that environment, having a strong, reliable network matters enormously. Our organization is really good about being a staple that members can come back to and leverage a network of professionals who are always willing to help and support. The relationships built within CREW Orlando create a web of connectivity: if one person doesn’t have an answer or a lead, they can quickly connect a member to someone who does. That might mean guidance on a new career path, introductions to potential employers or simply a space to talk through options with people who understand the industry.

How do you see the Orlando commercial real estate landscape evolving over the next 12 to 24 months, and what forces will drive the most change?

Orlando’s commercial real estate landscape has been evolving rapidly, and I expect that to continue over the next couple of years. The pace and scale of development are striking. You only have to look at the number of cranes on the skyline to see that there is significant activity underway, which is generally a positive sign for the market.

I think the mindset of our city and community leaders is a major factor in that trajectory. There is momentum around making Orlando an even more attractive place to live, work and play. That shows up in conversations about walkability, quality-of-life amenities, the integration of arts and culture into the built environment and the way we think about downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. As those priorities translate into specific projects and policies, you will see the impact on commercial real estate in terms of the types of buildings being developed, the mix of uses and the overall urban experience.

All of that points to continued growth, but also to an evolution in how we design and activate spaces. For CREW Orlando and our members, it means staying closely attuned to those shifts, making sure women are represented in the rooms where decisions are made and helping our professionals position themselves to lead in a market that is becoming more dynamic and more complex with each passing year.