Diversity and Inclusion on NAIOP SoCal’s 2021 Agenda

Diversity and inclusion are at the top of NAIOP SoCal’s 2021 agenda. Last year, the organization launched a diversity task force, and this year, it plans to build on diversity efforts. This includes focusing on diversity within the organization as well as working closely with members to drive diversity in the whole commercial real estate industry.

“Over the past few years, NAIOP SoCal has worked to diversify its membership and leadership,” Tim Jemal, CEO of NAIOP SoCal, tells GlobeSt.com. “That effort is evident with the growing number of women now engaged at the board level. In 2020, our Chapter launched a diversity task force to bring greater focus on diversity and inclusion. Not long after, the need for that task force became even clearer, not just to our chapter and industry, but to our nation.”

The organization is committed to building diversity both within the platform, including in its leadership, as well as within the commercial real estate industry. “Our chapter is committed to helping develop pathways for a diverse community of people to discover and build a career in commercial real estate,” says Jemal. “We must continue to find ways to make our industry more easily accessible to everyone so that we better reflect and support the local communities where we develop and invest in.”

This will start with building a more diverse leadership within the organization. The organization also has several goals to achieve diversity. “As a chapter, we must be vigilant in our leadership and not only encourage but insist on progress,” Jemal. “Our goal in 2021 is to ensure our events, educational programming, community outreach, legislative affairs, membership and Board of Directors, all represent and support the people and communities we serve and are inclusive of age, culture, race, gender, and sexual orientation.”

The firm is also making more of an effort to modernize its communication tools and adopt a social media strategy. “Our Chapter bolstered member communications, launched a new web site and will produce monthly podcasts featuring industry leaders, rising young stars and elected officials who shape and drive commercial real estate in Southern California,” says Jemal. “We now have four social media platforms: Linked-In, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. These platforms enhance our communications with members, sponsors, community organizations and government agencies.”