Neshma Sawja believes that success comes from taking informed, intentional actions each day — a practice she applies as CFO of Sawja Development, where she balances long-term strategy with the realities of an ever-shifting real estate market. This approach enables her to identify growth opportunities while managing complex projects that demand both vision and daily decisions.
Sawja Development is a residential and commercial real estate company, with an extensive portfolio across Georgia, Florida and Texas. The company’s properties range from strip malls and gas stations to single-family homes, multifamily properties, condos and townhomes.
From Pharmaceuticals to Property Development
Before entering real estate, Sawja worked in the pharmaceutical industry, helping manufacturers navigate the arduous FDA approval process. While she found the work engaging, she began to think differently about her future. “I wanted to build something for myself,” she recalls. “I always loved homes — from the design and floor plans to the architecture — so I decided to get my real estate license. I began helping real estate investors find and buy real estate properties and watched them create portfolios of properties that provided income. I thought: I need to do this for myself.”
That realization prompted a major shift. Sawja moved from advising investors to becoming one herself, gradually building a real estate portfolio and expanding into development.
In the early 2000s, Sawja and her husband moved from California to Gwinnett when friends encouraged them to take a look at the area. They quickly connected in Gwinnett and decided it would be home base for their growing family and company.
Leading with Intention
As CFO, Sawja’s days are demanding. Her mornings begin early with family responsibilities before shifting to business — meeting with sales teams, reviewing properties, managing finances, evaluating vendors and assessing new opportunities. Despite the intensity of her schedule, she builds in time for review. “At the end of each day, I reflect on what I accomplished and plan for the next day,” she says.
She’s also intentional about keeping time-tested fundamentals central when investing in new properties. “As a real estate developer, I look at the health of the economy because that significantly affects real estate. Of course, interest rates impact the market, and we see that now as many residential buyers are waiting for interest rates to come down,” she says. “On the commercial side, we have to be mindful to have enough capital reserves to complete the development process, which can take some time. We also have to consider if the property will sell or lease fast enough to be profitable.”
Showing Up and Giving Back
Outside of work, Sawja enjoys traveling with her family and exploring different cultures and cuisines. Community service is also a priority for Sawja and her family. She has served on nonprofit boards and is actively involved with the Ismaili Council for the Southeast Region, where she is one of the leads for the communications and publications portfolio and engages in local service initiatives through the Ismaili CIVIC program.
Sawja’s commitment to community engagement extends to the Gwinnett Chamber. Introduced through a friend, she was drawn to the Chamber’s mission to champion business and has benefited from its educational programs and networking opportunities. She recently joined the Chairman’s Club and has been appointed to the Gwinnett Chamber’s Board of Directors for 2026. “I love to connect with entrepreneurs and experts in various fields and build meaningful relationships,” she says.
Her advice to fellow business leaders seems simple, though is often underappreciated. “You have to show up,” Sawja says. “You have to attend the events and talk with people. You’ll meet incredible people through the Gwinnett Chamber.”
As she looks ahead, Sawja welcomes opportunities to connect, share insights and help bring clarity to real estate projects. “I am here to help others and I encourage people to connect with me,” she says.
