Real Estate Journal — Women in Business — October 25 - November 7, 2019 — Inside Back Cover C
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Women in Business
What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2018? Led a team of attorneys in successfully investi- gating, negotiating and drafting key transactional elements of a massive redevelopment project in Central New Jersey on be- half of a redeveloper. The project included entering
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in: I began my career in law in 1995 as a judicial law clerk in the Essex County courts. Spending a year watching the court proceed- ings and meeting the legal professionals who zealously and continually argued on
Ivette P. Alvarado, Esq. Member Sills, Cummis & Gross P.C. Years with co./firm: 6 months Years in field: 17 Years in real estate industry: 17 Real estate organizations / affiliations: CREW-NJ, ICSC, NAIOP
Tara Phelan Carver Partner Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP Years with company/firm: 1.5 Years in field: 24 Years in real estate industry: 22 Real estate organizations / affiliations: CREWNJ
into a master redevelopment agreement; addressing issues related to multiple construction and development phases, brownfields and environmental impacts, and riparian grants; and undertaking of a large-scale land assemblage. How do you manage the work/life balance? I don’t! - and admitting that to myself is how I manage. I have two won- derful children (aged 7 & 9), an incredible spouse, and an amazing career. Sometimes I have to forego a business dinner or networking event, or leave early, in order to see my children before bed. Other times, I’m FaceTiming them from behind the podium where I just moderated a discussion or from the ladies room at an industry gala. I’ve learned that I can’t do it all, and simply have to be present and give my all to the task at hand. I’ve learned that working past midnight on occasion so I can see my kid’s play, or buying Oreos instead of baking chocolate chip cookies for the class party so I can meet my client’s needs is just fine. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career? My parents have been the strongest influence on me. I am the very first per- son in my family to be born in the United States. As immigrants, my parents taught me the value of hard work, dedication, perseverance and above all the importance of education. Their struggles and courage to leave Cuba and El Salvador to come find a better life and opportunities, not just for themselves but also their future children, drove me to be the best me. Their support and love is what has made me a success in my career and in life. What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? I bring a different perspective to the business table. I believe being a woman and being Latina make me uniquely sensitive to a client’s needs, and at the same time make me a fierce advocate for their interests. I’ve been often told that I’m a calming force in difficult and stressful situations. My approach is always based in knowing my craft, thinking critically about current and future issues, and being practical while still protecting my clients. gineering firm for a marketing position that grew to include business development and project controls and development (working on electrification of NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line and the now Secaucus Transfer Station when it was just swamp land). My father and brother studied engineering, so I was somewhat fa- miliar with it. I stayed at E&K for eight years and during those years went back to school at night and summers for my BS and MBA degrees, then a client brought me to a competitive firm... What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2018? I landed the Master Broker position for Ruth’s Chris restaurant… an amazing client, an amazing brand. I opened both Jersey City and Paramus Ruth’s Chris locations, along with another few dozen deals. How do you manage the work/ life balance? Still working on this... I don’t know if this is possible when you basically work for yourself as an independent broker as it is quite challenging to manage especially since working for yourself requires longer than usual hours, at times weekend, and always 24/7 availability to your clients. My husband and I love to golf, travel and are advocates for dogs, especially Pit Bulls. Something about helping the mis-understood. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career? I have worked under some incredible people who were game changers for me, including Ron Wiss (E&K) my first real industry job and introduced me to so many facets of this industry, Bob Brennan (GVA) who convinced me to become a Broker, Susan Boyle (HLW) who allowed me to sit with the BOD and manage 14 business units along with assisting in opening offices nationally and internationally, Suzy Reingold (C&W) who saw my retail expertise and allowed me the opportunity to grow it, Kim Brennan (C&W/Colliers) who provided me with an amazing female role model, wide-open possibilities, and a very fair direct report and friendship. Nancy Erickson Executive Managing Director Colliers International Years with company/ firm: 4 Years in field: 20+ Years in real estate industry: 30 Real estate organizations / affiliations: ICSC, CREW Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in: I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do… I thought about nursing, fashion, marketing... In the early 80’s after getting an AAS degree, college placement set up a meeting at Ed- wards & Kelcey (E&K) en-
behalf of their clients taught me that I was much more suited to work in an envi- ronment where zealous advocacy resulted in adverse parties working together to solve legal challenges and issues. I learned that I would much rather be involved in building someone or something up than taking someone or something down. What is your current position? Partner in a full-service law firm with attorneys who handle sophisticated mat- ters for businesses across the United States and internationally. Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? I chose to focus my legal practice on real estate and the development of projects because I enjoy solving the complex puzzle of legal challenges they present. When my clients complete a successful transition or disposition of commercial real estate and secure financing for these deals, I am proud to know I contributed to advanc- ing their business interests. Being part of the process of a construction project is especially satisfying when the work is complete and the project is open for business. What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2018? My greatest professional accomplishment in 2018 was to successfully transfer my practice to a national law firm and expand the services available and geographic footprint for the benefit of my clients. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career? The person who had the strongest influence onmy career was my father, Jeremiah Phelan. He founded and co-owned a small commercial HVAC company in Northern New Jersey. I grew up with blueprints on every flat surface of my home. I truly enjoyed learning about the projects his company was involved in and watching how buildings came to life from the pages of those blueprints. What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? I excel at explaining and breaking down complex issues to my clients and col- leagues so they understand the core of the challenges at hand as simply as pos- sible. Once they grasp the important issues, we can collaborate more effectively to find the best solutions.
Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? I was in the art program in my high school and when it was time to apply to col- leges, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I asked my art teacher if he had any sug- gestions and he said, “Well, you’re good at art and you’re good at math. Why don’t you try architecture?”. So I did, and here I am.
Erica Godun Studio Manager, Interior Architecture and Design Ware Malcomb Years with company/firm: 4 Years in field: 25 Years in real estate industry: 25 Real estate organizations / affiliations: CREWNJ, NAIOP NJ, AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP
What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2018? I’m very passionate about wellness in the workplace and sustainable design. I recently completed a café and outdoor patio for L’Oréal, which is a sustainable and wellness-focused company. The space includes healthy and delicious food op- tions, a variety of seating options, inspiring artwork and fire pits and heat lamps outside to extend the usable months. It’s an inviting space that pulls people out of their typical environment. How do you manage the work/life balance? I have a 12-year-old daughter. I’m fortunate to have a partner who shares all the home and child care duties and friends to fill in when things pop up at the last minute. It doesn’t always go smoothly, and there’s nothing to compare to the reproachful look my daughter perfected when she was the last one picked up from the after school program but having those supportive people in my life has made all the difference. What were some of your early goals and did anything happen in you career /profession to enhance or change them? Even though I was in school for architecture, I became very involved in the theater arts program as well. I worked on set design and lighting design and even spent one summer doing Summer Theater in New Hampshire. In the end, I decided to stick with architecture as a career, but building stage sets provided real world practical knowledge about how things are constructed and an under- standing that just because you can draw something, that doesn’t mean it can be built that way. I believe that understanding has made me a better architect and definitely helped me empathize with contractors as they try to build from our drawing sets.
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