This article is the seventh in a series highlighting the Nareit Foundation’s DTD 2025 grantees, part of an initiative focused on increasing the visibility, awareness, and appeal of the REIT industry. The Foundation’s DTD program prioritizes three main goals: supporting pipeline and talent development, expanding procurement and business development, and making REITs understandable and accessible to everyday investors. In 2025, the Foundation provided grants to nine nonprofit organizations, including Paradigm for Parity, a coalition distinguished for its commitment to closing the corporate leadership gap for women from all backgrounds.
Building strong leadership pipelines is a critical priority for the REIT industry. As firms adapt to new business strategies and an evolving operating environment, the demand for executives with operational expertise, financial acumen, and forward-looking leadership skills continues to grow.
The Nareit Foundation’s Dividends Through Diversity program is supporting that effort by partnering with Paradigm for Parity, a coalition recognized for its proven approach to preparing professionals for senior roles. Through its Profit and Loss Leadership Accelerator Program, Paradigm for Parity equips participants with the technical, strategic, and leadership capabilities required to step confidently into executive positions, ensuring businesses—including REITs and commercial real estate companies—have the bench strength they need for long-term success.
Profit and Loss Leadership Accelerator Program
Founded in 2016 by current and former business leaders, Paradigm for Parity works to help talented professionals reach leadership positions. Nadine Bullock-Pottinga, strategic advisor and former CEO of Paradigm for Parity, explains that company’s model is unique, as it provides members access to resources, expert advice, and a network of 150 peers across different industries.
The Profit and Loss Leadership Accelerator Program is designed to address gaps in leadership development and company culture by offering hands-on profit and loss (P&L) training, executive coaching, and internal company sponsorship, which is recognized as necessary for driving real progress.
Both the participants and their sponsors receive comprehensive training, enabling sponsors to actively support and help accelerate the growth of emerging leaders. Rather than just focusing on basic skills, the program is intentionally designed to help participants fast track into leadership roles.
The curriculum combines technical training with the development of interpersonal and soft skills. Participants take part in a hands-on business simulation, where they run a mock company, make P&L decisions, and present their strategies to a simulated board of directors.
To further support growth, the program provides workshops and executive coaching focused on emotional intelligence, resilience, and confidence. This blend of practical experience and personal development prepares women to confidently step into operational leadership roles, Bullock-Pottinga says.
The Nareit Foundation and Paradigm for Parity Join Forces
With support from the Nareit Foundation grant, more emerging leaders can join the Accelerator Program, which provides tuition subsidies to increase accessibility. This funding guarantees spots for REIT professionals in the six-month leadership development initiative, preparing them for advanced operational roles and helping to build a stronger, more well-rounded talent pipeline.
The grant will provide support for six exceptional women from the REIT network, with an emphasis on those who may lack the company or personal resources to fund their participation. The initiative is designed to enhance their skills and promote career advancement. According to Bullock-Pottinga, the collaboration with the Nareit Foundation shows the powerful role that industry associations can play in building a more dynamic pipeline of future leaders.
“This partnership has really been groundbreaking,” Bullock-Pottinga says.