20A — October 28 - November 10, 2016 — Executive Women in Business — M id A tlantic
Real Estate Journal
www.marejournal.com
Executive Women in Business
Elizabeth Limbrick and Skelly Holmbeck The women of the Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast (BCONE)
ho or what has been the s t r o n g e s t influence on your career? The Society of Women Environmental Profes- sionals has been an extremely positive in- fluence on my career. The organization helps women flourish in the W
W ho or what has been the strongest influ- ence on your career? I have worked for some tre- mendous leaders who men- tored and inspired me, such as Sally Bethea, Executive Direc- tor of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCRiverkeeper) and a doyen of the conserva- tion movement. She was rou- tinely listed as one of the most influential Georgians. Sally
Elizabeth Limbrick Project Manager, New Jersey Institute of Technology Years with company: 5 Years in field: 20+ Member of the BCONE Advisory Council
Skelly Holmbeck Energy Lead, Advanced GeoServices Years in field: 20 Member of BCONE Board of Directors
ran the UCRiverkeeper with intensity and incredible professionalism. She was results focused and fearless. When I left UCRiverkeeper to join NextEra Energy, a Fortune 100 company, it was not as big as a culture shift as you might expect, because both organizations were data driven, focused on results, and committed to continuous improvement. At NextEra I worked for Eric Silagy, who now runs FP&L. Eric was relent- less in the pursuit of excellence, and he believed intensely in a team approach to success. He focused on finding the win-win-win, the solution that benefited the customer, the company, the community. A visionary, he understood where the energy sector could go and was willing to take risks to promote big ideas. Eustace Conway, founder of Turtle Island Preserve, has been another major career influence, because Eustace does not see obstacles – absolutely anything is possible. I worked for Eustace at Turtle Island, and he taught me a lot about the elegant use of primitive skills, which helped me see technology and innova- tion in a new way. Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in, about your current position and why you choose your profession. My professional career grew from a love of my home “town” – the rolling hills of Chester County Pennsylvania. I grew up in a world integrated with the out- doors; my family and I spent more time outdoors than indoors. My first job out of college was as a wilderness instructor. Being in the wilderness, especially in a position where I was responsible for the health and safety of my clients, made me acutely aware of the critical importance of fresh, clean water and a reliable energy source (a white gas powered whisperlite stove). My expertise is in energy and water resources – two fields I have been drawn to because they are both critical to human, environmental, and economic sus- tainability. I have been blessed to have worked in energy and water resources fields from a variety of perspectives, from Fortune 100 to nonprofit to academia. One of my earliest jobs was with Los Alamos National Labs, looking at the potential risk of water contamination from the proposed nuclear water reposi- tory at Yucca Mountain. Los Alamos was an organization on fire with brilliant scientists and cutting edge research. I spend a lot of time that summer learning about the history of Los Alamos, which began as a secret enclave of physicists working on the Manhattan project. Now Los Alamos does research well beyond weaponry – renewable energy, nanotechnology, and medicine. It was a place where one could feel the power of science, a place where anything felt possible, where a fiercely challenging problem was a delightful opportunity. n ness relationships not only differently but for differing purposes. The traditional male networking which relies primarily on “I’ll help you only if you help me” does not fit within the female psyche. The natural female tendency to want to help and assist, without any expectation of reciprocity, should not be viewed as a weakness or naivete but rather an admired trait of generosity and genuineness. 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? Establish a large network of colleagues and learn as much as you can from them about the field and related areas while being generous with your time and knowledge in kind. n
environmental field by providing supportive membership programs and schol- arships. Through this organization I have developed leadership skills and cultivated the most meaningful relationships in my professional life as well as life-long friends. What unique qualities and/or personality traits do you feel make you most successful in your profession? All environmental and brownfield professionals need to have a good technical background and good communication skills. But what has led me to be success- ful is the ability to understand and relate to others as well as a willingness to volunteer in non-profit organizations. What was the most defining moment for you in the profession you are currently in? The highlight of my career, was testifying as an expert witness for the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Capitol Hill, regarding Cleanup Efforts at Federal Facilities. Who do you feel was most influential in your life when choosing this profession? I was fortunate to have an amazing high school Chemistry teacher, Mr. Foor- Houge, who taught me to think creatively and think critically. On the first day of Mr. Foor-Houge’s Chemistry class, he told the class that he wasn’t there to teach us Chemistry (and we all gasped), instead he was there to teach us to think. He instilled me with a passion for science and motivated me to pursue a career in environmental science. It is my wish that every student has a teacher in their life that inspires them in this way. What inspiring words of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of commercial real estate or your allied field? My advice to an emerging professional is to join a professional organization and spend time working on (or leading) committees where she will have the opportunity to develop deep relationships by working her fellow members. Networking is not something a person should do only when he or she needs to make connections or is looking for a job; networking is about helping others make connections. If you help other make connections, people will remember you, and it will pay dividends in the future. n involved in particular matter or transaction. In some ways, this has worked to my advantage as I am not perceived as much as a threat as a male counterpart which allows me to skillfully persuade others to a mutual path forward. Being underestimated as a minority woman professional has oftentimes been advan- tageous to my clients and me. Do you feel there are any differences in the way that men and women develop business relationships and if so, what activities or venues do you participate in? Yes. My experience has been that women and men network and develop busi- continued from page 18A Wanda Chin Monahan, BCONE
to all of our women in business in 2016! Congratulations! From Your Friends at The MAREJ
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