Breaking Ground: Laurie Tylenda Secures 2026 SIOR Millie Award

WASHINGTON – October 22, 2026 – The commercial real estate sector is the physical scaffolding of the global economy, dictating where supply chains terminate, where corporate workforces gather, and how capital flows through secondary and tertiary markets. Yet, the human machinery driving these multi-million dollar transactions has historically been overwhelmingly male. Today, the Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS (SIOR) took a step in recognizing the shifting demographics of this critical industry, announcing Laurie Tylenda as the recipient of the 2026 Mildred C. Hanson "Millie" Award.

Tylenda, an Associate Broker and office specialist with CBRE in Albany, New York, is being honored for her dual impact: a formidable transaction record and her sustained advocacy for women in a field where leadership parity remains stubbornly out of reach. As SIOR approaches its 85th anniversary, the recognition of Tylenda underscores a broader transition within the commercial real estate industry—one where mentorship and structural advocacy are becoming just as critical as deal volume.

A $500 Million Portfolio Built in Secondary Markets

While gateway cities like New York and Los Angeles often dominate commercial real estate headlines, the backbone of regional economic stability is forged in secondary markets. Over a 20-year career, Tylenda has mastered the intricacies of the Upstate New York corridor, closing more than $500 million in transaction volume across approximately 450 deals.

Her portfolio spans the full spectrum of the spatial economy, from distribution and logistics facilities to complex tenant representation and investment sales. Operating out of the Capital Region, she has navigated the unique economic pressures of a market heavily influenced by state government operations, educational institutions, and a growing tech sector. Notable transactions include representing landlord The Swyer Companies in securing nearly 20,000 square feet of leases at 80 State Street in Albany, accommodating major tenants like Nolan and Heller, and Cullen and Dykeman. Her footprint also extends to high-value investment properties, such as the Woods Edge Apartment Complex in Clifton Park, and sprawling industrial properties stretching from Mechanicville to Schenectady.

"Secondary markets require a different kind of operational agility," noted one regional commercial developer familiar with her work. "You aren't just order-taking in a hyper-liquid market. You have to actively connect the dots between local zoning, regional supply chains, and corporate tenant needs. Laurie has consistently engineered those connections for two decades."

Since earning her SIOR designation in 2014, Tylenda has not only dominated her regional market but has systematically embedded herself in the organization's governance. She has served on the SIOR Board of Directors, presided over the Upstate New York Chapter, and contributed to the Nominating Committee, Member Coalition Council, and the Women's Leadership Group.

The Legacy of Millie Hanson and the Push for Parity

The award Tylenda receives carries the weight of one of the industry's most formidable pioneers. Mildred C. "Millie" Hanson was a trailblazer who shattered the glass ceiling in the mid-20th century, becoming one of the first women to earn the SIOR designation. Operating out of Hackensack, New Jersey, as a Senior Vice President for NAI James E. Hanson Real Estate, she brokered over $800 million in deals during her 34-year career, frequently outperforming her male counterparts to be named Top Sales Associate in 2005 and 2006.

Her career was a testament to the grit required to dismantle the boys' club mentality that defined mid-century commercial brokerage. Hanson did not just participate in the market; she fundamentally altered the perception of who could execute high-stakes industrial deals. Following her passing in 2007, the SIOR Foundation established the award to recognize female practitioners who mirror Hanson's extraordinary achievements in sales production, character, and industry leadership. Past recipients, such as Lynn Schenck—who became SIOR's first female president in 2003—have historically represented the vanguard of institutional change.

"SIOR is strengthened by members who give their time, expertise and leadership to advancing our organization and the commercial real estate profession," said David Lockwood, CEO of SIOR. "Laurie's years of dedicated service and her many contributions across a broad spectrum of SIOR's leadership and committees reflect a deep commitment to our community. We are proud to recognize her accomplishments with this year's Millie Award."

Navigating the Structural Realities of Modern Brokerage

Tylenda's recognition arrives at a critical juncture for gender dynamics within commercial real estate. According to the 2025 benchmark study by the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network, women now make up 38% of the commercial real estate industry—a modest increase from a stagnant 36.7% over the previous 15 years. However, a deeper look at the data reveals profound structural bottlenecks.

Women remain significantly underrepresented in the high-stakes transaction environment, comprising only 31% of brokers. Furthermore, the pipeline to executive authority is severely constricted, with women holding just 9% of C-suite positions—a figure that has remained virtually unchanged since 2010. This "leadership gap" highlights a troubling reality: while women are successfully entering the profession, the mechanisms for upward mobility into executive and partnership tiers remain deeply flawed.

The economic realities of these disparities are stark, though showing slight signs of correction. The 2025 data indicates women make 4% less in base salaries and 13% less in overall compensation packages. Most alarmingly, there remains a 35% gap in compensation derived from commissions, bonuses, and profit-sharing. Industry analysts point out that this recent narrowing is largely due to a decline in men's average commission earnings rather than a systemic boost to women's variable compensation.

Compounding these challenges are the shifting dynamics of the modern workspace. The normalization of hybrid work has introduced new variables into the brokerage ecosystem. While flexibility is broadly welcomed, research indicates women are working remotely 2.5 hours more per week than men. In an industry heavily reliant on relationship-building and physical presence, there is a growing concern that this could lead to reduced visibility and widen the promotion gap if firms do not intentionally pivot to performance-based, rather than presence-based, evaluation metrics.

Mentorship as the Engine of Industry Change

For the first time in the history of the CREW Network's research, gender discrimination was explicitly cited as the primary barrier to career advancement for women in 2025. Overcoming this entrenched systemic friction requires more than just corporate policy adjustments; it requires visible, active mentorship from senior leaders who have successfully navigated the terrain.

This is where Tylenda's advocacy work within SIOR becomes paramount. While female aspirations for C-suite roles dipped slightly to 30% in the latest industry surveys, data consistently shows that having an internal senior executive mentor remains the top contributing factor to future success for emerging female professionals. Tylenda's sustained involvement in the Women's Leadership Group and Chapter Leadership Council serves as a critical bridge for younger brokers entering the field.

"Laurie exemplifies the leadership, professionalism and commitment to service that make SIOR such a strong global network," noted Aaron Barnard, Global President of SIOR. "Her dedication to supporting fellow members and advocating for women in commercial real estate has helped strengthen our community and create opportunities for others to succeed. It's a privilege to recognize her with this well-deserved honor."

As the commercial real estate sector continues to rebuild and adapt to post-pandemic economic realities, the physical infrastructure of our cities will be shaped by those who broker its spaces. Ensuring that the architects of these deals reflect a broader demographic spectrum is not merely a matter of equity, but of economic resilience. A diversity of perspectives at the negotiating table leads to more innovative land use, better tenant relations, and more resilient urban development. Recognizing leaders like Laurie Tylenda is a necessary step in proving that the systems keeping our world running are finally beginning to look like the world itself.