16C — October 24 - November 13, 2014 — Executive Women in Business — Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marejournal.com
Executive Women in Business
Ussler and Dooley, Artefact, Inc . . . continued from page 12C
continued from page 5C Debbie Pomerantz, Gebroe-Hammer . . .
commercial real estate was once a male dominated field, women are gaining ground. In- creasingly, women are becom- ing top producers and proudly serving as key role models and mentors for the industry’s next generation of professionals. What inspiring words of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of commercial real estate? I am doing exactly what I set out to accomplish and will continue to set my own personal benchmarks, from sales volume to a work/family balance. Refining interperson- al and relationship-building skills are integral, as is the necessity to continually “raise the bar.” Lots of perseverance and a commitment to being a consummate real estate pro- fessional are the best founda- tion for a successful, long-term career in this field. n help develop economic de- velopment programs in the region. I recently joined the Development Committee of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. Tell us a little about your family. My husband and I just celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary. We have two charming children who make us proud each and every day. Our son, Brendan gradu- ated from Boston College in 2011 and is an analyst for an investment banking firm in New York City. Our daughter, Casey graduated from the University of Dela- ware in 2013 and works for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce as a special events coordina- tor. Our Golden Retriever, Beemer will be eleven in November and makes us all smile with her happy-go- lucky disposition and com- panionship. What do you feel is the key to your success? The key to my success is my incredibly supportive and understanding fam- ily, especially my husband Gregg. Having a demanding career is often difficult for a family, especially when you are traveling and involved in many community organiza- tions. We’ve always been a team by encouraging each other to succeed, supporting each other in our careers and aspirations and lending a hand to help keep all the balls in the air. n
way. Years of teaching have also given me the skills to take complex concepts and ideas and make them approachable and understandable. To succeed in commercial real estate, you must have a quick mind, be able to think outside the box, and persevere. There is always more than one way to solve a client’s problem, and I take the time to research the alternatives. What was the most defin- ing moment for you in the profession you are cur- rently in? I went into valuation think- ing I would return to teaching once I mastered the field. But I find I enjoy all of the people I work with in commercial real estate too much to return to the classroom. It was a defin- ing moment for me when I was I spend a lot of time with my family and with philanthropic pursuits including art therapy for Veterans, justice reform ini- tiatives, and library preserva- tion. I also collect vintage single malt scotch, Victorian medical instruments, old cookbooks, and dress patterns mostly from the 1920’s through 1960s. an apartment on the UES of Manhattan and a house in Hunterdon County. What outside acitivies do you enjoy? My husband who is a real es- tate attorney and close friends are in the commercial real es- tate profession What is the funniest, most unique situation you have faced / conquered during your business career? Being at a closing with obser- vant Jewish buyers. In the early evening, the four buyers needed a minyan (quorum of ten men) the power of quiet sophistica- tion from Maki, and the im- portance of history and theory in design from Frampton and McLeod. Lucienne Di Biase Dooley studied at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Laus- anne, Switzerland. Two profes- sors, both in the last two years of school, Patrick Berger (a French architect and professor) and Mauro Galantino (an Ital- ian architect and professor) had influenced how to think and design in a fast and effective way, but also how to engage in a conversation with your client. What outside activities do
asked to apply for an academic position, and I found I was not interested in going back to teaching full time. What is the funniest, most unique situation you have faced/conquered during your business career? I had just started working with a new appraisal group and I really wanted to impress the boss. We were scheduled to meet at an industrial building for an inspection formy first as- signment with the firm. My sig- nature outfit is black pantswith a blazer, and it turns out this warehouse was used to store wool bales. Needless to say, I ended up resembling a bale of wool by the time we walked out! This has not changed my dressing style, mind you, I just keep a lint roller in the car at all times now. n Oh and….everyone fails, its your ability to get up, dust yourself off, and stand up for the next round that determines success. n Advice. You don’t have to plan it all out now. Life throws curveballs and sends you on journeys that you could never have antici- pated. If you are too ridged in your thinking, you can miss amazing opportunities. Keep your eyes open, there are op- portunity everywhere. for prayers and recruited my client, the seller, to join them. They completed their prayers and returned to the closing. 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? Working hard and staying humble enough to listen and learn. n you enjoy during you free time? In addition to our work, we both have families. It is impor- tant to find time to do what we like to recharge. We both enjoy running/exercise, gardening, and reading. 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? When you fall, get up and keep going. We learn from every situation including our mistakes, which one can’t be afraid to make. n
happier wherever he went. He was able to maximize team performance without resorting to carrots and sticks; instead, he organized the work to make the most of individual talents while reducing possible con- flicts. He has shown me it is possible to perform amazingly complex projects, while work- ing exceedingly hard, and yet find joy and comradery when you have the right people in the right positions. What unique qualities and/or personality traits do you feel makes you most successful in your profes- sion? I am a people-person, which is extraordinarily helpful in the valuation field, and very competitive, but in a kick-it-up- a-notch, non-confrontational raised with team sports, which can foster a more collaborative focus on projects and business development. Many of the women with whom I work met through educational initiatives and philanthropic activities, which can be a more one-on- one relationship. Tell us about your family. I have three sons, two axolotl (Edgar & Edwin) and a Chi- nese Crested named Delilah. We divide our time between critical situations. This may be because women are, tradition- ally, juggling between husband, children, house, and work, that we have developed these impor- tant skills. Who do you feel was most influential in your life when choosing this profession? Our professors in Architec- tural School had a great deal of influence on us. Christine Ussler studied at Columbia University in New York City. Several of her professors, Ken- neth Frampton, Fumihiko Maki, and Mary McLeod were greatly influential. She learned strengths. It varies by the in- dividual, not sex origin. I par- ticipate in the industry associa- tions and outside business and sports activities including golf and tennis. Currently amember of the NJAA, the NJ Profes- sional Real Estate Women and the EWGA (Executive Women’s Golf Association). Who do you feel was most influential in your life when
how committed I am to my career, but – most importantly – they know how devoted I am to them as well. What outside activities do you enjoy during your free time? As the proudmother of five, I devote the majority of my time outside of work to my chil- dren’s activities and endeav- ors. I donate time, materials and financial support to their membership organizations and respective schools, where I have served as a past member of the Board of Directors. Do you feel being a wom- an is an advantage, disad- vantage or no advantage in today’s business world? Why or why not? In the earliest days of my career, I was the only woman in my department. This pro- vided me withmotivation to do my job even better. Although estate agents to help widen my sphere of influence in the region. I established finan- cial goals to help keep me on track and prove to myself that I could develop business quickly. What unique qualities and/or personality traits do you feel make you most successful in your profes- sion? I’m an amiable driver. If you have taken any social, style, sales, skills training you’ll know it’s a unique combination of personalities for a sales person. It’s al- lowed me to develop and close business aggressively with a good-nature approach to the transaction. Additionally, I have always thought of my clients and other commercial real estate brokers as my partners. It allows me to look for win/win situations and helps me manage my busi- ness effectively. Community Services and Involvement I’ve always believed that giving back to the commu- nity and being involved in community programs is im- portant. I’ve been a school board director to help stay involved in educational pro- grams, a board member of Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley to help women and children, the chairperson of a community foundation to help raise funds for facili- ties and I currently chair the Lehigh County Industrial Development Authority to
Janet Bortz, The Kislak Co . . . continued from page 3C choosing this profession?
Cindy McDonnell Feinberg, Feinberg Real Estate Advisors . . . continued from page 6C
Alexandrea Merrell, Orndee Omnimedia . . . continued from page 10C
Michel Glower, Global Real Estate Advising & Consulting . . . continued from page 11C
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