Top CRE Execs Share Advice on Getting to the Top
Women panelists at CREW speak to challenges, tough decisions, and success during their careers.
Finding the way to the top in commercial real estate is not often easy and is always somewhat unpredictable. Three female executives shared their journey and offered key advice to others during a panel discussion at the CREW conference last week in Atlanta.
Dionne Nelson, President & CEO, Laurel Street, said one key is to “treat people the way you would want to be treated. Lean on your own history of being mentored, supported, and guided. Ask for and accept honest feedback that helps you be your best self.
“Finally, return the favor and you’ll get it back x10 during your career.”
Jeanette Flory-Sagen, Founder & CEO, of CereusRE Asset Management, said it might not be easy to convince yourself, “but learn to go with your gut. You’ll make missteps early in your career if you don’t, but soon you’ll learn to trust your gut.”
Audra Cunningham, EVP, CAO, T. Dallas Smith & Company, encourages others to be bold and confident while at the same time, being your best self.
“You have to know your stuff and you have to know your client,” she said. “Being the smartest person in the room is so liberating. [Meanwhile], take any leadership role that is available – such as through volunteer organizations.”
Nelson said, “The hard work thing really is important. You need to develop your skills early on and continuously. This way, when your opportunities come, you are ready. Then you go out and prove yourself.”
Flory-Sagen progressed from starting out as a receptionist.
“Learn to speak up for yourself,” she said. “Learn to speak to an audience and in public. Don’t be afraid to not know the answer. Admit it, then get back to them later.”
Nelson said the hardest decision she had to make in her career was to conceal her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“I felt like if I disclosed it, my business wouldn’t have survived,” Nelson admitted. “But by getting through it on my own, this truly helped to save my business.”
Cunningham faced her toughest decision when she was offered to take a job and move to Washington, D.C.
“I felt like if I hadn’t accepted it, I would not have gotten opportunities and would have had to leave the industry,” she said.
Cunningham spoke to the panel – and the audience of about 1,400 at the event – when she said, “There’s never a time to not be representing that you are a woman, or that you’re black, or any other characteristic. There are people who are a force for insisting on diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I). If you are in a group or company where it is lacking, be the change you want to see and show up.”