On July 1, NAIOP announced a new name for the organization: the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, or CREDA. According to CREDA, the new branding better communicates the broad scope of commercial real estate work members engage in, such as multifamily housing, retail destinations, logistics and fulfillment facilities, offices, mixed-use developments, data centers and more. To celebrate this new era for the association and honor its past achievements, here is one of the winners of 2026’s Best of NAIOP Awards.
Shelby Grant, business development representative // Tpac
Background: Born and raised in Phoenix, Grant grew up watching projects break ground and celebrate ribbon cuttings. Her father — who owns a construction company — would walk Grant around job sites so she could watch how commercial buildings go from plans on paper to structures made of steel and concrete.
Beyond exposure to the industry, Grant says spending that time with her father instilled the principles that still guide her: integrity, accountability and the power of keeping your word. Those formative experiences developed into a deep respect for the people and processes that shape the built environment, ultimately inspiring her to pursue a career in commercial real estate.
Today, Grant works closely with developers, contractors and industry partners to support projects that contribute to the continued growth of the Arizona commercial real estate market.
Program impact: Being involved with the Developing Leaders program has been critical for Grant’s professional growth and leadership development. Her participation allowed her to build meaningful relationships with professionals she might not otherwise have met and contribute to industry initiatives.
One example is the creation of the Developing Leaders Welcome Committee, which Grant established to help new members feel connected and supported as they enter the organization. Creating a warm environment for new members, Grant explains, “strengthens the sense of community within the organization and encourages long-term engagement.”
Career goal: While successful projects and professional achievements are important, Grant hopes to build a legacy defined by the people she has helped mentor and support throughout her career. Her success so far, Grant says, is thanks to the “leaders who invested their time, knowledge and guidance in me.”
Those insights, Grant continues, nurtured her understanding of the industry and instilled a sense of confidence in what she could achieve. Because she gained so much from these relationships, Grant wants to create the same opportunities for others who are beginning or advancing their careers in commercial real estate.