The table wasn’t built for us: How to get more women into the C-Suite
 | Wendy Forsythe CMO eXp Realty |
Overview
Women across housing have built the experience, networks and leadership credibility to shape the future of the industry — but representation at the top still has not moved far enough. This session explores what it takes for women to stop waiting for access to rooms that were not built for them and instead create new tables, new pathways and new opportunities.
Wendy Forsythe will discuss why sponsorship matters more than mentorship alone, how women can advocate for themselves before they feel fully ready and why leaders at every level have a responsibility to bring other women into decision-making rooms. The conversation will focus on bold leadership, the power of lived experience and the practical steps companies and individuals can take to build a stronger leadership pipeline for women in housing.
Session Notes
Key takeaway
Wendy Forsythe told women in housing to stop waiting for a seat at tables that weren’t built for them. Her Wendy Forsythe told women in housing to stop waiting for a seat at tables that weren’t built for them. She framed the path forward as three moves: build your own table, push for sponsorship and be bolder.
What leaders need to know:
- Build your own table. Forsythe said women should stop waiting for permission and create their own rooms, networks, businesses and initiatives.
- Advocate for sponsorship. Forsythe said mentorship helps, but sponsorship opens doors. Sponsors make calls, advocate for women and put them forward when opportunities arise.
- Be more bold. Forsythe encouraged women to ask for opportunities, negotiate and take risks before they feel fully ready.
- The talent pipeline is already there. Forsythe said real estate and mortgage have no shortage of talented women, but representation at the top has not moved enough.
- Experience is an advantage. Forsythe pushed back on the idea that women are too old, too late or from the wrong background to lead, saying lived experience and problem-solving are strengths.
- Women need to sponsor each other. Forsythe said sponsorship can happen at any level and requires women to intentionally bring other women into rooms where decisions are made.
HousingWire perspective
The session connected leadership, representation and responsibility. Forsythe’s message to women was to step into power without waiting for systems to change. For companies, the takeaway was that mentorship alone won’t shift leadership ranks. If the industry wants more women in the C-suite, leaders need to build sponsorship pathways, value experience and back women who are ready to create new rooms — not just ask for access to existing ones.
Presentation Materials
The table wasn’t built for us: How to get more women into the C-Suite
Download the full presentation from the session including charts, data visualizations, and key takeaways.
