THE SPECS: Company: Foundry Commercial Location: Nashville, Tenn. Property Type: Industrial Specialist Year Built with SIOR: 2023

OVERVIEW - Why She’s the Real Deal

Melissa Alexander, SIOR, serves as partner for Foundry Commercial. She’s considered one of the foremost industrial brokers in Nashville and has more than 16 years of real estate experience focusing on the leasing, sale and development of industrial properties. Alexander was recently honored with the 2025 SIOR Award of Excellence. Outside of work, you will find Melissa hanging out by a fire pit, watching sports, hanging around the Tennessee legislature or Washington DC or traveling with her husband and their two children. — She's more than just an SIOR.

HIGHLIGHTS - Get to Know Melissa

SR: How do you stay ahead of trends in such a fast-moving industry? Any favorite sources or habits?
MA: I make a conscious effort to stay informed about what’s happening both in the industry and in the broader world. I’m very active on social media, not just as a consumer, but as a way to expand my network. That expanded network gives me access to more diverse news sources, perspectives, and headlines. Through my advocacy work, I’ve learned the importance of following the legislative process and any laws that may affect our business or developments on a state level. I can say, “Hey Mr./Ms. Client, keep an eye out for this law that could pass and affect your project in Tennessee.” In addition, I stay close with brokers both within and outside my firm through SIOR, and we actively share updates on what we’re seeing in the market, from high-level shifts to hyper-local changes. That constant exchange of information helps me stay ahead of the curve.

SR: What does a perfect Saturday look like for you when you're not closing deals?
MA: We are a really busy family these days. My son is really into baseball and my daughter runs track. A lot of our Saturdays are spent at games and meets, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. When we’re not in the crowd cheering, you might find us cooking out in our backyard. We also love to travel as a family. When we can find the time, you can find us on a plane off to a new adventure together.

SR: Favorite Nashville hidden gem (restaurant, store, or hangout spot)?
MA: Sperry’s Steakhouse has been a staple in the Nashville area for over 50 years – it’s a secret, local hidden gem!

SR: What’s a moment from your volunteer work that’s really stuck with you?
MA: Becoming an advocate for common sense gun reform following my family’s personal experience with the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, I’ve had the profound and heartbreaking opportunity to share our story and meet parents and survivors from other mass shootings. I also got to visit the White House, testify before congress and meet the President of the United States. All of these things you see folks doing on TV, and I never dreamed in a million years this would be something I had the voice or power to do. It’s funny where life will take you if you let it. I do this work to honor my son and him telling me that he is proud of me stays with me the most. It is all the motivation I need when the work becomes difficult or frustrating.

SR: What’s a travel destination still on your bucket list?
MA: We go skiing in Park City, Utah every year. So, we’d love to go on a new skiing adventure in the Swiss Alps. I have heard amazing things about how beautiful it is, and I think that would be an absolutely amazing adventure to have as a family.

SR: What’s your “can’t live without it” productivity hack or app?
MA: I realize not everyone can use this hack, but having a teammate like Casey Flannery changes the game. We’ve been in business together over the last decade, and she really is the other half of my brain. Having her to bounce ideas off of and work with has been pivotal to my career. She’s always two steps ahead of me, cannot live without her!!

SR: What’s your guilty pleasure show when you need to totally unplug?
MA: It’s so basic to say, but when I come home, you can catch me with a glass of wine, cooking dinner for the family and maybe watching a documentary. I know that’s not totally “unplugging,” but it really is how I unwind at the end of most days.

SR: You have to give a TED Talk tomorrow, no prep—what’s your topic?
MA: If I had to give a TEDTalk tomorrow with no prep, I’d honestly revisit a topic that’s already close to my heart—because I’ve actually given a TED-style talk before, to my company back in early 2023. It was about taking a leap of faith. That talk resonated deeply with a lot of people, and the feedback I received reminded me just how universal that feeling is... standing at the edge of something uncertain, but knowing deep down that it’s time to make your move. For me, that message is especially personal as I started my industrial brokerage business over from scratch in a new market in 2018. So often, we’re conditioned to wait for the right time or to have every box checked before we make a move. But the truth is, waiting for perfect circumstances can keep us stuck. At some point, you have to trust yourself enough to leap, even when it's uncomfortable, even when it's risky. So if you gave me a stage tomorrow, that’s what I’d talk about again: what it looks like to “Press Send” and choose boldness over fear.

SR: Is there a dream philanthropic project or cause you’d love to lead or launch one day?
MA: Is there a dream philanthropic project or cause you’d love to lead or launch one day?

SR: We heard you love a good fire pit—what’s your s’mores strategy? Are you a slow roaster or a marshmallow flamethrower?
MA: Oooh... who doesn't love hanging out by a firepit on a crisp night enjoying ooey-gooey s’mores with friends and family? Here’s my strategy: I like to slow-roast the marshmallow, and let it catch on fire but only for a second. Then, it’s just perfectly golden-brown and a little crispy on the outside, but still warm and gooey in the middle. Then - here's the hack - ditch the chocolate bar and swap in a peanut butter cup. Trust me on this one. The melty marshmallow + the creamy peanut butter + chocolate combo is unbeatable. Nothing better!

SR: What’s a piece of advice that sounded wild at the time, but turned out to be true?
MA: “Never send emails in anger.” It felt so basic, but when you actually follow it, it saves you from so many headaches and regrets.