Diversity and Inclusion
in commercial real estate
True Innovation starts with
Diversity and Inclusion
Define is a community that champions the development of diversity and inclusion amongst companies that contribute to the commercial real estate industry.

Two activities are central to Define:
- supporting companies intent on initiating, evolving, and reflecting their place in their D&I journey
- companies active in commercial real estate (i.e., leasing space, renovating acquisition/disposition, strategy etc.), can use Define to review what potential partners are doing around D&I

Content + Training

Improve your D&I footprint with support from the Define community.

D&I-focused Companies

Find and hire companies that align with your values.

The Community

The community enjoys benefits ranging from peer support, leading-edge advice and improved recruitment.

Getting Started
Track where your organization lands in the D&I journey.
No matter where you are, you're in the right place.
  1. Do we have a D&I policy? Does our handbook outline our D&I policies and how our company shows up in D&I?
  2. Do we have a D&I committee? Is it within HR or outside HR?
  3. What is our purpose statement? Can a person from outside the organization see what our D&I purpose statement and plans are?
  4. What are our plans and how do we know they are working?
  5. Are our hiring and recruitment policies equitable and inclusive?
  6. Is the C-suite or ownership team engaged in the D&I conversations and plans?
Get Started
Join the Community
Questions? Look here.
What do all these acronyms mean?
There are many acronyms in the diversity and inclusion space. Here are a few you’ll see on this site:
D&I - Diversity and Inclusion
DEI - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
DIBs - Diversity, Including and Belonging
Whatever you call it, you’re not wrong.
Who is involved?
Define community members are companies that contribute to the commercial real estate industry that are focused on diversity and inclusion in their organizations
What are the benefits of joining the community and visiting define.biz?
The benefits of joining the community or visiting define.biz:
  • access to actionable information that will help you improve your organization’s diversity and inclusion practices, regardless of where you currently are in this journey
  • the opportunity to showcase the work you’ve done and share with other community member organizations who could benefit
  • as a company active in commercial real estate (i.e., leasing space, renovating acquisition/disposition, strategy etc.), gain insight into what organizations that support the industry are doing around D&I
How do I sign up?
It's easy, all you have to do is click here and fill out the short form. You'll get instant access.
How much is it?
It does not cost anything to join the Define community.
Do I need to give credit card information?
No, being a part of the Define community does not cost anything.
How do I refer other organizations to Define?
The Define platform is intended to be free and accessible to everyone in the commercial real estate industry. Share the site link with your peers and help build the community.
Why is diversity and inclusion important?
Improving diversity and inclusion practices in your organization are important because:
  • it will increase your competitive advantage
  • you will attract more talent
  • it will improve your corporate reputation and how the world sees your organization
  • it will boost productivity, creativity and innovation because you will have a more diverse set of voices
  • more innovation leads to more revenue
How do I contact you?
You can reach out by clicking the "Contact Us" button in the bottom right corner of the website.
I’m just getting started. Can you help me understand these terms?
Yes! We know there are a lot of key terms to wrap your head around and some of the definitions are nuanced. Here are the key terms you should know:
Diversity: It’s what differentiates each one of us a mix of many different things including: ethnicity, gender, how we think, what we value, backgrounds and experiences that shape our perspective
Inclusion: It is a mindful effort to ensure everyone feels valued, respected and supported in how they contribute to the work
Bias/unconscious bias: Bias is a form of prejudice that favors or is against a something, a person, or a group. Unconscious bias happens outside our conscious awareness. This bias is typically a learned stereotype that’s automatic and mostly unintentional.
Human Rights: Inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination.
Accommodation: A convenient arrangement; a settlement or compromise. Accommodation relates to equity: treating each person appropriately, according to what they need and/or deserve.
Intersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.
Representation:The description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way or being of a certain nature. Representation is what we can see and what we can count.
Accessibility:The quality of being able to be reached or entered. Accessibility is often forgotten when speaking about diversity and inclusion, but is the missing link.
Equity: The quality of being fair and impartial. Equity is about leveling the playing field so that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Privilege:A special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people.