CREW DC: News-Program Summary

PROGRAM SUMMARY

June Program:
The New Open Door: Facilitating Change And Career Transition For Women In Commercial Real Estate

DC CREW's June program featured the experiences of two Real Estate women who have made successful transitions throughout their career. In addition, we were given advice on how to facilitate transitions from a renowned specialist of a women-owned executive search company.

	Ruth Jansson of Gensler moderated the panel, which consisted of Diane L. Hartley, Vice President and Managing Director of Clark Education; Sally Wilson, AIA, Director of Advisory Services at CB Richard Ellis, Inc. and
Pamela Oerth Kolesnik, Managing Principal of Oerth Associates, Inc., an executive search firm.

Diane's education was in Architectural Planning at Princeton with an emphasis on Urban Design and all the factors that affect the design of buildings. She graduated with a degree in Engineering. In her first job it became clear to

her that her strengths lay more in Project Management and Business Development and not on the boards. She left to pursue an MBA at a business school. This led to job in Real Estate with JBG Associates where she was able to still be involved with looking at buildings, but with a new perspective. After a long illness interrupted her career, Diane took a job with the Federal Government. There she continued her interest in the public sector, but with a focus on Higher Education. Today she has crafted her own position at the Clark Companies by creating the Clark Education division.

Sally began her career in Architecture. She has an undergraduate degree in Interior Design and a Masters in Architecture. Very competitive in nature since a young girl, she needed challenges to keep her interest. She began her career as an

architect at Oldem and Seltz (now OPX), but during the architectural boom in Dallas, she and her husband moved there for the excitement of designing tall buildings outside the brick vernacular of Washington, DC. She returned to DC and Oldem and Seltz in the late 80's. As fewer buildings were being constructed, she began to focus on Interiors, specifically Law Firms. While at Spector, Knapp and Baughman (SKB), Sally was encouraged by contacts at CB Richard Ellis to consider joining them as a Project Manager. In looking ahead at the direction of her career for the next 10 years, she realized that to continue to grow as an individual making the move to the Real Estate side was an opportunity that she could not resist.

	Pamela joined Oerth Associates, founded by her sister Lorraine, 20 years ago. In the mid 80's, an Executive Search firm for Real Estate and Construction was not the norm. In addition, they had the added challenge of being in an industry
dominated by males. Pam attributes their success to hard work and knowing the playing field.

For each of the women, mentors played a role in their careers. Sally noted that having a mentor meant the ability to get a gut check when it was needed. She also stressed the importance of a peers network and building a team environment. Diane did not have a classic mentor relationship, but various individuals who gave her inspiration and served as role models during her career. The energy and electric sparks that are generated with an integrated working team environment are what motivate her.

When asked what were their biggest successes and challenges, the women stated it was maintaining a balance between career and family. Diane indicated that she needs work for energy. Her life is managing daily priorities and making choices, but as an integrated person, her career and life are one world.

All stressed that confidence in yourself and being open and honest with yourself will guide you to the decision to pursue change. They suggested getting involved in leadership roles and being active in associations to gain confidence. Having a support group to get through difficult times is also critical. Follow your passion and set lofty goals were their advice.

Pam recommended that one should do due diligence and be sure that the culture of the firm you are considering will work for you. Smaller firms are often more flexible about time when you need to balance work and family. She also stated that you need flexible in your expectations when making a change. Long tenure in a firm often means that you have more weeks in vacation time than you will get in a new firm. Salary negotiation can be a deal breaker.

Businesses today are interdisciplinary and collaborative. Firms are looking for people with different backgrounds and perspectives. There are more opportunities for change; you just need to do it. Both Sally and Diane recommended - take the risk, experiment and don't apologize.

EVENT SUMMARIES

CREW Career Day

CREW Career Day was a "first" for CREW DC. Chris Reed our liaison to CREW Foundation and committee chairs Greta Perry and Susan Strohm organized the program held at the renovated Woodies building on a new floor added to the building. The Career Day was a pilot program geared to high school girls that are preparing for college, taking the SAT's and selecting a career path. The purpose was to present all of the professions that are part of commercial real estate � all of the resources needed to complete a project from start to finish. A CREW professional presented each aspect of commercial real estate. In addition Greta Perry gave an overview of the history of the Woodies building and the evolution of the project and the history of F street retail in downtown Washington, DC.

The presentations were informative and excellent. A quiz was given at the at the end of the program and the girls could meet with each of the presenters for assistance. Even though it was a rainy cloudy day, it did not dampen the spirits of the group.

14 Girl Scouts from 3 troops in Prince Georges, Prince William and Dumfries attended. The highlight of the program was a mid-day tour and shopping at H&M on the ground floor of Woodies, combined with a questionnaire of building components to be found in the store.

A check was presented for $1,000 from CREW Foundation to the Girl Scouts. At the end of the program the attendees were presented with back packed filled with gifts from CREW member firms.

A big thank you to the CREW Career Day committee for making Career Day a big success.

Green Roof Roundtables

The Green Roof Roundtable was an informative program with the latest information and sources for the installation and implementation of a Green Roof. The hand out provided listed all of the firm names and website addresses for development and installation of a green roof.

Blake Real Estate installed the first Green Roof on a commercial office building in Washington DC at 1425 K Street. Kelliann Whitley of Blake, and property manager for the building gave an overview of Blake's decision to install the green roof and the benefits gained. One of the significant accomplishments was the green roof planting was installed by teens and children from Covenant House. The work was done at night between 1 and 4 AM. An electronic leak detection system was installed that can pinpoint a leak to a 3" area. Building managers from Canada and other countries have visited the Blake green roof as it has become a benchmark.

Russell Katz a project developer and architect for Montgomery Oaks Management presented his project called Elevation 314 located in Takoma directly across from the Metro Station. This was mixed use project with residential and retail. Hickcock Warner Cole Architects was the consultant retained by MOMI for the project. A green roof, central green courtyard and an extensive storm water management system were designed for the project. It has been a role model for the community.

Alexi Boado, Project Officer from the District of Columbia Department of Health commented on the support the city will provide for green roof and environmental projects. DC has an in place grant program for subsidizing green roof installations for Not for Profit firms but not for developers. He is an excellent resource to contact in the development of storm water management requirements for a project.

Click here to view/download the presentation (PDF)

Click here to view/download the press release (PDF)

16th Annual Jubilee Gala

Click here to view/download Gala Program pages (PDF)

VIEW PAST PROGRAM SUMMARIES