New York, NY — September 19th, 2024
The highly anticipated 4th Women in Property Management Networking Event, led by Alecia Allan-Vanderbilt, was a major success. The event brought together over 150 influential women in commercial real estate to tackle pressing issues affecting their careers. Topics included lack of upward mobility, stereotypes women face, maternity leave policies, and childcare challenges—barriers that continue to hinder many women in property management.
The Executive Panelists for the event were Carolina Ramos: Head of the Tri-State Region for Property Management & Construction at Rockhill Management, Laura Palombo: Portfolio Manager at Empire State Realty, and Nekesha Sawh: Senior Portfolio Programs Manager, Environmental Health & Safety, Facilities & Property Management at Hines.
The leading female executive panel discussions, moderated by Allan-Vanderbilt, shared their experiences and actionable strategies for overcoming these obstacles. Attendees expressed appreciation for the candid conversations and the empowering atmosphere.
Alecia Allan-Vanderbilt, who championed the event, highlighted the importance of open dialogue in addressing gender disparity in the industry. “We need to create pathways for women to rise to leadership positions,” she emphasized.
When asked about leadership challenges facing women today, Carolina Ramos responded, “One of the main thing’s women struggle with is the stereotypes. When I started my career in real estate, I had just turned 20 years old, and every time I went on an interview or spoke to someone in the industry, they thought I was inexperienced. In fact, I started working (on the books) when I was 14—I was a bookkeeper. In my 30s, everyone assumed I would get married and start a family, so I’d request too much time off to dedicate myself to work. In your 40s, the assumption is that your kids take up a lot of your time with school and their activities, so you cannot possibly juggle work and family life. In your 50s, people think you no longer have fresh ideas or the energy to work hard, and when you are in your 60s, you’re getting ready for retirement, and they need someone young they can groom.”
When Carolina finished, the room nearly went into an uproar from the overwhelming agreement from all the women in attendance. It was both validating to the women and eye-opening to the men in attendance, revealing the sweeping issues women battle throughout decades of their careers, no matter how good they are at their jobs, roles, or as industry leaders.
As the discussion moved toward actionable steps each woman can take to advance their careers despite the aforementioned obstacles, Ramos gave this advice: “The reality is that women have to work twice and three times as hard as their male counterparts, and it’s unfortunate. So what do we have to do to stand out? Educate ourselves, take as many continuing education courses as your company can offer or that you can pay for, build a network, and use your resources to expand your knowledge and skills, develop a strong reputation, and get out of your comfort zone.”
Laura Palombo acknowledged some changes she had seen throughout her career but stressed that there is still much more to be done. “When I started my career, there was nothing like mothers’ rooms, so women would have to sneak away to pump for their nursing children. But the double standard still exists. There were several studies recently showing that women still make less than men. It’s about getting in front of men and the people who influence your income and showing them your worth.”
Nekesha Sawh highlighted some of the microaggressions women still face in the workplace. “It’s on a day-to-day basis. Whether it’s being spoken over on a conference call or being told to shush. Sometimes we have to raise our voices a bit. But really, it’s about showing those in leadership how great we are! The facts are that companies that diversify make more money.”
The event’s success was a testament to Allan-Vanderbilt’s leadership, with many attendees leaving inspired and hopeful about the future of women’s advancement in commercial real estate.
A large number of portfolio heads attended the event in support of their teams and women’s career advancement, including Jessica Tusing: Director of Compliance at Argo Realty, Diane Fields: Vice President, Property Management at Empire State Realty Trust, Peter St. John: Director, Property Management at Hines, Dana Getz: Executive Vice President, Tri-State Property Management Operations (NJ) at JLL, Matt Duthie: Regional Director at Newmark, Amy Monachelli: Vice President, Portfolio Manager at Paramount Group, Drew Connor: Senior Vice President, Head of Commercial Property Management at Rudin Management, Jennifer Twombly: General Manager, Head of the Boston Region at Rockhill Management, and Melissa Donohoe: Partner/COO at Cannon Hill Partners.
Their attendance not only spoke volumes about their commitment as leaders in creating support for their own internal female teams, but they also had the opportunity to meet great female talent for leadership roles their companies are looking to fill, giving their portfolios a cutting-edge advantage by connecting with talent they might not have met otherwise.
Key Takeaways:
- Lack of Earned Advancement: Women voiced concerns about career stagnation despite qualifications, demanding better mentorship and promotion opportunities.
- Maternity Leave and Childcare: Many participants expressed frustration over insufficient policies, calling for more supportive systems in property management.
- Actionable Solutions: Panelists discussed steps for companies to better accommodate working mothers and ensure career progression.
Sponsorship support from top CRE firms ensured the event remained free, reflecting Allan-Vanderbilt’s commitment to accessible opportunities for all women in the field. Sponsors included Guardian Services, Tri-Star Construction, Nouveau Elevators, Royal Waste Services, Rhino Global Solutions, DTM Drafting, Neumann Paige PR, and ProTek Recycling.
The event’s highlight for many attendees was undoubtedly the luxurious swag bags, packed with a variety of high-end products. From Tarte Cosmetics to wine, yo-yos, and tech essentials like keyboards, mice, and cables, the bags were brimming with items provided by the event’s sponsors and partners. Attendees were quick to rave about the impressive haul, with some even vowing to arrive early at future events just to secure one of the coveted bags.
Targeting an exclusive audience of successful women, the event offered a unique opportunity for prestigious brands to connect with a demographic poised to become brand ambassadors. By aligning with the event’s focus on women’s empowerment and equality, sponsors not only gained visibility but also fostered deeper relationships with potential consumers. It was a strategic win-win for both brands and attendees, creating a buzz that will likely carry forward into future events.
Allan-Vanderbilt mentioned another real-world issue facing women today: “The biggest barrier to women advancing further in their careers is the high cost of childcare. If a woman makes $75,000 a year, but childcare costs are $30,000, and then you have the costs of commuting and other work-related expenses, it quickly becomes an easy choice for married women to stop working and care for the children themselves. What should a single parent do? What if you don’t have the luxury to stop working? We need a solution that works for everyone.”
Another example of Allan-Vanderbilt’s ability to unify the community to take action was the surprising number of male executives attending the event. Neumann Paige CEO John Gottschall had this takeaway from the discussion: “When you hear the stories of these women whose careers have been sidetracked or altogether ended for one reason or another, as a business owner, you have to wonder about the level of talent that has been lost. What advancements in technology did we miss? What treatments or cures for diseases did we lose? How many community leaders are now out of the workplace entirely?”
The 4th Women in Property Management Networking Event not only highlighted the persistent challenges women face in the industry but also offered a powerful platform for actionable solutions and genuine dialogue. With the backing of prominent sponsors, influential panelists, and a diverse audience, the event underscored the critical need for continued advocacy, mentorship, and structural change in commercial real estate. Alecia Allan-Vanderbilt’s leadership, combined with the active participation of both female and male executives, signals a hopeful shift toward greater gender equity in the workplace. As more organizations recognize the value of diverse leadership, events like this will remain crucial in fostering an environment where all professionals can thrive.
Stay tuned for future events by Alecia Allan-Vanderbilt, which promise to continue this important conversation on gender equality in commercial real estate and other industries.