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2026 Women In Real Estate Awards
National
- Brenda Barrett Leads AMC to Its Highest-Ever National Ranking
- Elizabeth Burnett Oversees Slatt Capital’s $5B Portfolio
- Cass McFadden Turns Sustainability Into Metrics at Cortland
- Kristie Jacobson Kimnach Grows the REMAX Commercial Brand Worldwide
- Shawna Knyal Generates Over $1B in Transactions Since Joining Paragon
- Gantry’s Sara Litton Upgrades Servicing for $23-Billion Loan Portfolio
- Tina Quirin Co-Founds Arcus Harbor
- Susan Rounds Strengthens BKM’s Operations and Leadership Pipeline
- Ursula Sage Adds AI Tools to Dealpath’s Investment Activities
- Whitney Burns with Hines Helps Establish Hospitality Standards for CRE
- Vanessa Howes Modernizes Lument’s Multifamily Loan Operations
- Sairah Burki Leads Regulatory Advocacy, Sustainability Platform at CREFC

Shawna Knyal Generates Over $1B in Transactions Since Joining Paragon
Shawna Knyal leads the asset management team at Paragon Commercial Group, overseeing a $750-million portfolio of multi-tenant retail properties across the West Coast. Her responsibilities include transaction management, reporting, budgeting and property management oversight, with a focus on maximizing asset performance and value.
Knyal joined Paragon in 2010 and built the company’s asset management platform around retail properties acquired during the Great Financial Crisis.
Since joining Paragon, Knyal has overseen more than $1 billion in acquisitions and $250 million in dispositions. She also plays a role in evaluating new shopping center acquisitions, from due diligence through closing, and has developed proprietary internal systems and processes that support net operating income growth and value creation.
Knyal has served on the boards of the Calvary Christian School Foundation, the CCS Parent Association and The Beach Club.
These are just a few reasons Shawna Knyal is among the National Connect CRE 2026 Women in Real Estate Award winners. The award honors the achievements and inspirational stories of women who have reached respected leadership positions and taken on mentorship roles.
