2024 Women in CRE: Sheryl Guglielmo, DiPrete Engineering

What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? My team and I were honored to have played a key role in the expansion of Seasons Corner Market and their Shell-branded fueling facilities, for ten new locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In an ambitious push, Colbea Enterprises opened fifteen new stores between 2022-2024. It was quite the accomplishment to permit and construct this many locations in such a short time frame. Our team was proud to have been a part of this journey, alongside Colbea and their legal team, design consultants, and contractors all working towards solutions that facilitated the smooth and efficient development of each site. The most unique and impressive component of these projects was the pace at which they were conceived, designed, permitted, and constructed.

What advice do you have for young women aspiring to enter commercial real estate? Be confident (even if you have to fake it). There is so much to learn – no matter if you are the newbie who gets mistaken for a customer, or the woman with the fresh clean boots, or the woman who’s calling the shots – we all have a place in our field and the natural drive, empathy, and organization we have as women really set us apart.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in commercial real estate? November marks my 18^th year in this industry and over that time there has been significant growth and progress in women joining this male-led profession. Being a young woman in this field isn’t so unique anymore, however I have found that women by default fight a constant need to prove themselves when they walk into a room. Overcoming the perception that you are not supposed to be at the table, speaking up when you are the only woman in the room and having to listen to most people in the industry speak in the male voice (he, him, etc.) are all challenges that women regularly face.

What is your vision for the future of women in commercial real estate? A population of women who are not afraid to chase what they want, who can turn a no into a yes, and who are ready to step forward. My vision for the future includes women who control their own destiny and navigate the water ahead of them.

Why should this nominee be recognized in our Women in Commercial Real Estate Spotlight?
“Sheryl has a unique ability to understand what her clients need to be successful. Whether it be engineering, strategy, organization, or communication, she has found a way to become a valuable extension of their team. She understands that the most valuable engineers know a lot more than just engineering and she is a leader in making this part of the culture at DiPrete Engineering.” - Dennis DiPrete, Principal at DiPrete Engineering.