6A — October 2023 — Women in Business — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
CREW New Jersey
Therese O’Brian, Laura Riso, and Jessica Trifiro CREW New Jersey Honors Leading Women In Business
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in. I began my career in real estate as the director of sales for the Real Estate Division of NJ Advance Media where we created custom content and digital marketing programs for developers and brokers. What is your current position? Director of Retail Leasing at Ripco Real Estate Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? I chose Ripco for the opportunity to work closely with entrepreneurs and business owners. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career? Being a member and board director of CREW NJ has been the strongest influence on my career because I have had the opportunity to meet and work with so many successful women in all areas of commercial real estate and learn from them. What impact has social media / networking had on your business? Networking and social media play an important role in building relationships and staying top of mind. What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? I am a lifelong learner - I truly enjoy learning what is most relevant in the field so that I can be a true consultant for my clients. Do you feel there are any differences in the way that men and women develop business re- lationships and if so, what activities or venues do you participate in? Yes, golf has always been important to men for building business relationships. I am a member of the Women’s Golf Association of NJ (WANG) and participate in a learning league where I have had the opportunity to learn the skills and etiquette required on the golf course. Tell us a little about your family: I have a wonderful, supportive husband and together we have six adult children – all of whom are very successful in their respective fields and even one in commercial real estate. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of commercial real estate or your allied field? Join CREW and get involved with a committee - ask lots of questions to those you meet along the way. These women will be your best resource for career advancement. MAREJ Therese O’Brian Director- Retail Leasing Ripco Real Estate Years with company/firm: 1 year Years in field: 10 years Years in real estate industry: 10 years Real estate organizations / affiliations: CREW, ICSC, NJ Builders Association - Mixed Use Development
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in. I interned at Withum in 2009 during my last year of college, started full time in 2010 and have been here ever since. I am an active member in the firm’s real estate niche, performing audit and attest services for clients in the real estate industry. I joined CREW NJ a few years into my career and currently serve on the board as the treasurer. Tell us a little about your family. I have been married to my husband, John, for 9 years and we have two beautiful daughters. Emily is 6 years old and Adriana is 4 years old. We also have a dog named Cooper. My family is my motivation for working hard. How do you manage the work/life balance? I am lucky to work for a firm that allows me the flexibility I need to manage my professional and personal life. I have accepted that there is no such thing as perfect balance. I set boundaries and try to be fully present in what I’m doing when I’m doing it. If you are the primary caregiver to your chil- dren what obstacle and challenges do you meet on a day-to-day basis? My biggest challenge being a working mom is trying to let go of the guilt and not be so hard on myself. I am a perfectionist by nature, and it is difficult to ac- cept that I can’t always give 100% of myself to every aspect of my life at the same time. What outside activities do you enjoy during you free time? In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy reading, running, and playing field hockey. Do you feel being a woman is an advantage, disadvantage or no advantage in today’s busi- ness world? Why? Why not? Both. As a woman I feel like I have a valuable skill set that I bring to the table but also face challenges Laura Riso Audit Senior Manager Withum Years with company/firm: 14 years Years in field: 14 years Years in real estate industry: 10 years Real estate organizations / affiliations: CREW NJ, Treasurer
What is your current position? I’m currently a senior professional with GEI Consul- tants, Inc. working as a senior project manager and supervisor/mentor to junior staff in our Bloomfield office. Responsibilities can include coordinating due diligence activities to protect clients purchas- ing properties. As a multi-disciplinary engineer- ing firm, I’m able to provide services that include environmental, structural, architectural (façade), mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire suppression (MEPF), and site/civil evaluations. Additional re- sponsibilities include the preparation, coordination, and implementation of investigation/remediation plans for clients with contaminated sites, including the preparation and submittal of necessary reports and supporting documentation to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and/or United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? I did not initially choose environmental consulting. My original career path out of high school was go- ing to be nursing. I delayed entering the nursing program, for several reasons, and ultimately began rethinking where I wanted to focus my education. After obtaining my associate degree, I took time off to evaluate options and decided to continue my educa- tion in environmental science. I wanted to save the world (well, at least New Jersey) and now I work with clients to clean up environmentally impacted proper- ties and protect them from potentially purchasing properties that may be contaminated. What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2022? My most notable project for 2022 was assisting a long time client refinance their portfolio, which consisted of 22 properties and totaled $82.5M. The project was completed on a short timeframe, included coordina- tion of multiple engineering teams, communications with numerous parties involved with the refinancing, and last-minute sampling. It was a high-energy but extremely successful transaction. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career? The amazing professional women that I’ve met and have become close friends with over the years. These women are strong, supportive, inspirational, wildly fun when needed, and have been mentors for me, likely without even realizing it. Their friendships have provided me with guidance and confidence that has helped me grow and make decisions, sometimes quite difficult, that have brought me to where I am today professionally. Jessica Trifiro Senior Professional GEI Consultants, Inc. Years with company/firm: 2.5 years Years in field: 22.5 years Years in real estate industry: 22.5 years Real estate organizations / affiliations: CREW NJ
that are unique to being a woman. What is your current position?
I am an audit senior manager at Withum and a member of the firm’s real estate niche. I am also the treasurer of CREW NJ. MAREJ
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