Commercial real estate professionals are in the fortunate position to watch the physical representation of their hard work and dedication meld into the surrounding community. As satisfying as that may be, commercial real estate is a complex industry full of intricate financial transactions, technical jargon and differing stakeholder priorities.
These nuances can be taught, but the barrier to entry can seem too high for individuals early in their career. That’s why CREDA Arizona formed its Developing Leaders program: to create a cohort of professionals age 35 and under who can learn and grow from one another.
When Andy Snedeker, director of business development and client relations for Suntec Concrete, first moved to the Valley around 2010, he had work experience, but didn’t know anyone in the market.
“Commercial real estate is a people business, especially in Phoenix,” Snedeker explains. “All the buildings you see aren’t there because of the concrete and steel, but because folks trusted each other.”
Having since aged out, Snedeker says he’s giving back to the Developing Leaders program so it continues to be a “relationship incubator” for new members to meet their peers and industry veterans.
“Something about being out of the office makes it easier to have those more vulnerable conversations,” he adds. “It might be asking for career advice or how someone else dealt with a work challenge, but CREDA has done a great job creating an open platform for these conversations to happen naturally.”
Developing Leaders also have the chance to make connections in a more formalized setting through the annual Rookies & Rockstars event. Each year, young professionals have the opportunity to talk with 30 or so industry leaders in timed sessions.
“They have the floor to ask whatever questions they want, and when the timer goes off, they move to the next station,” Snedeker adds. “If we can pass down the skills we’ve learned, the hope is that they will become better leaders than I am today. That’s a legacy worth leaving.”
On the following pages, hear from two Developing Leaders on the impact their participation has had on their careers.
Rookies & Rockstars
DATE: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
TIME: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
VENUE: Arizona Biltmore Golf Club Ballroom East
REGISTRATION: visit creda-az.org