2C — October 25 - November 7, 2019 — Women in Business — M id A tlantic
Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
Women in Business
Nicole Wood, NCIDQ, LEED AP, CHID, Array Architects “There is satisfaction in creating spaces that affect people and how they heal”
hy did you choose the field/profession you are in today? My profession chose me. I was always destined to do design – I can recall designing houses for my sister when I babysat her in my childhood. I started my pro- fessional career as an interior designer and did a lot of com- mercial work. I fell into health- care, and I chose to stay in it because I felt passionate about the work I was doing. There is satisfaction in creating spaces that affect people and how they heal. That is something that you don’t get when designing for commercial or hospitality. W
success of our collaborative ap- proach: we were able to create a cohesive design between the two projects, so visitors experi- ence continuity in both parts of the health system regardless of which they walk into. How do you manage the work/life balance? I manage work/life balance by relying on a really great partner at home, relying on my talented col- leagues at work, and saying no when necessary. You are only as good as the people that support you. If I didn’t have the support system at home and someone who recognized my passion for what I do, or my collaborative, supportive colleagues at Ar- ray, work/life balance would be much harder to achieve. I am also lucky to work for Array Architects, a company that has always had a strong respect for family values. What were some of your early goals and did anything happen in your career /pro- fession to enhance or change them? I set out to design hotels and restaurants. Very early in my career, I moved around, working in Las Vegas for a time, and then when I moved home, I took a position with Array Ar- chitects. I immediately loved the field of healthcare architecture, and the rest is history. What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? I have a strong personality, which en- ables me to communicate well, assert myself when necessary, and collaborate effectively. The key is knowing when to be as- sertive and when to take a step back. What challenges and or obstacles do you feel you needed to overcome to be- come as successful as you are today? Self-awareness is critical to success. For me, that meant learning to sometimes take a backseat, allowing oth- ers to take the lead from time to time. A true leader builds those around them up, relying on each person for their unique abilities. 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? I would tell a young wom- an entering the interior design field to absorb everything she can, find mentors early in her career, and to always be open to learning new things – the learning process is never over.
project in 2018 was the Mt. Carmel Grove City Replace- ment Hospital, which opened in April of this year. It was a labor of love for more than 6 years. When I started the project, I was newly married with no kids. I now have a five-year-old. Juggling the notoriety of the project, which we started from the ground up, and being a new mom managing travel was re- ally my first foray into balancing family/work life and still being successful. We also worked hand-in-hand with another architecture firm who was managing a concur- rent project. I am proud of the
Nicole Wood, NCIDQ, LEED AP, CHID Senior Interior Designer, Principal Array Architects Years in field: 20 Years in real estate industry: 20
testing the healthcare design profession as a whole. Passing it was a testament to the work that I’ve done in healthcare in becoming a leader in my space. What was your most nota- ble project, deal or transac- tion in 2018? My most notable
What was your greatest professional accomplish- ment in 2018? In 2018, I sat for my AAHID exam and passed it. The test encompasses a wide range of design areas – from se- nior living all the way through hospitals and medical office –
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