More Than Mentorship: Celebrating the 2026 YLC Mentor Series
The Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth’s Young Leaders Council wrapped up the 2026 YLC Mentor Series with a closing lunch at Chadra Mezza Grill on October 29. The lunch brought mentors and mentees together one final time to celebrate the year, reflect on the experiences they shared and recognize the relationships that developed throughout the program.
The closing lunch featured a panel discussion on infrastructure and relationships in commercial real estate, with Ian Kinne of Hillwood, Matt Oliver of the Tarrant Regional Water District and Wilson Peppard of Oncor, moderated by Delaina Tabor. The panelists discussed the importance of bringing infrastructure considerations into development conversations early. Matt and Wilson emphasized that conversations about power and water need to happen sooner in the process, rather than waiting until later stages of a project.
Panelists also explored the lasting value of professional relationships in an increasingly AI-driven world. As technology changes how professionals work, the ability to build and maintain genuine relationships remains a meaningful differentiator. AI may help people work more efficiently, but trust, personal connections and the ability to cultivate relationships are what continue to set professionals apart and strengthen the commercial real estate community.
Since its opening lunch in August, the Mentor Series has connected young leaders with experienced commercial real estate professionals through a variety of conversations and shared experiences. Throughout the program, mentors and mentees had opportunities to learn from one another and connect outside of the traditional workplace setting.
This year’s experiences included golf, wine and poker, giving participants different opportunities to build relationships and get to know their mentor or mentee beyond their day-to-day professional roles.
Celebrating the Mentor-Mentee Relationship
At the heart of the Mentor Series is the relationship between each mentor and mentee. The program creates space for young leaders to ask questions, gain perspective from experienced professionals and build relationships that can continue well beyond the program.
For mentors, the program offers an opportunity to share knowledge, experiences and lessons learned throughout their careers while getting to know the next generation of leaders in Greater Fort Worth’s commercial real estate community.
The closing lunch was a chance to recognize those relationships and celebrate the time and effort both mentors and mentees invested throughout the year.
A special thank you to our 2026 YLC mentors for generously sharing their time, experience and insight throughout the program. Their willingness to invest in the next generation of commercial real estate leaders is what makes the Mentor Series possible.
We’re also grateful to our YLC Mentor Series sponsors for their support throughout the year. A special thank you to our Title Sponsor, Westwood, and our Closing Lunch Sponsor, Atwell, for helping make this program possible.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2026 YLC Mentor Series. We’re grateful for the connections made, conversations shared, and relationships that will continue beyond the program.
Photos are available below!
