OLYMPIC VALLEY, CA—In the second edition of the Voices of Influence series at the GlobeSt. Women of Influence conference in Olympic Valley, CA, Poonam Sharma, a prominent real estate executive, author, entrepreneur, and board member of Fifth Wall Acquisition Corp III, shed light on the significance of having a strong presence in a male-dominated industry. She emphasized how women can become invaluable members and make a lasting impact in commercial real estate.
According to Sharma, being brave doesn't mean the absence of fear; rather, it's about taking leaps despite feeling scared. Her courage was deeply influenced by her upbringing as the child of immigrants and witnessing her father navigate various challenges. Surrounding herself with impressive individuals also humbled her and motivated her to aim high, knowing that failure wouldn't be devastating.
Regarding the concepts of influence and power, Sharma expressed her dislike for the term "influencer," as it has been somewhat diluted by younger generations, she said. She differentiates between power and influence, stating that power involves being a gatekeeper, having access, and possessing resources, while influence stems from the perception others have of you. Influence endures, even when one no longer holds power. Sharma noted that being a woman of influence today is different from the past, where influential women were put on a pedestal without revealing their personal lives. Nowadays, authenticity and openness are key to having a genuine impact.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
