Meet KCBJ's 2024 Women Of Influence honorees

In the largely male-dominated world of commercial real estate, Sheryl Vickers has always pulled inspiration from women around her. Early in her career, Vickers found a role model in Suzie Aron, whom she worked with at Cohen-Esrey in 1998.

“She stood out as a rare woman in commercial real estate. She had come from the garment industry and was definitely a creative type, rather than just a suit. She looked more like an artist ... and just approached things differently,” Vickers said.

Another trailblazer for Vickers was office broker Mary Riley-Cheek.

“She would be someone to strive to be like if you wanted to hit huge numbers, do amazing deals and be respected in the market,” Vickers said.

She recalled how Riley-Cheek’s random act of kindness helped set her up for future success.

“I think she knew I wanted to play in a golf tournament, as a rookie with no money and no connections,” Vickers said. “Anonymously, she paid for me to be in the golf tournament, so I could get that experience of going on the golf course with all the guys. I found out later that it was her, and she didn't even know me.”

Since then, Vickers has made supporting other women a pillar of her professional career. She's now founder and CEO of Select Sites LLC, a women-owned commercial real estate firm with an all-female office.

Outside the office, she also fiercely advocates for women to engage in the commercial real estate market. In 2017, Vickers co-founded Women in Real Estate Development (WIRED), a mentoring group that encourages women to claim a piece of the real estate market to create passive income for themselves. Vickers said it isn’t just about talking up what women can do but showing them examples of other women taking charge and succeeding in the market.

— Sydnie Savage

Sheryl Vickers

CEO and Founder, Select Sites LLC

Recent professional accomplishment she’s most proud of:"I could not be more thrilled to win Women Who Mean Business. Whatever other awards I win, it pales in comparison because I've been putting out to the universe for several years that this is my big goal."

Little-known fact: Vickers enjoys spending her free time traveling and often hits the road with her family in their pull-behind Airstream camper.

"I am a fanatic about it. I love Airstreams. ... I love the flexibility of taking it anywhere you want to go in any direction. You can just hitch it up and head out."