20C — October 26 - November 8, 2018 — Women in Business — M id A tlantic www.marejournal.com
Women in Business M id A tlAntic Real Estate Journal — 40 Executive Women in Business — October 26 - November 8, 2018 — 20C I I Real Estate Journal www.marejournal.com
Alicja Plonska Vice President Morgan Stanley
Rebecca Murphy Marketing Director ROCK Commercial Real Estate, LLC
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in? Following a decade-long career in the horse racing industry, I decided it was time for a new challenge so I left the farm life and entered the nonprofit world. Nonprofit work is all about marketing and leveraging strong relationships so I couldn’t have found a better training ground for CRE marketing. I was recruited from the nonprofit to join a global CRE in Baltimore. After spending 13 years with that firm, I decided it was time for another change and was very excited to bring the knowledge I’d gained to a strong regional player like ROCK Commercial. How do you manage the work/life balance? These days I believe this is a challenge for all of us…male or female! As well as my position at ROCK Commercial, my husband has a race horse training business in Maryland of which I am heavily involved and we spend most weekends at horse racecourses somewhere on the East Coast! We also have a 12-year-old daughter who is very busy with school and sports. I think part of the key to balance for me is that I’ve become very good at compartmentalization. When I’m at work, I’m all in, and when I’m at soccer practice, I leave the phone in the car and just try to relax, be in the moment, and watch my daughter play. I think this keeps my mind fresh and allows me to look forward to work every single day. ROCK, from the moment I arrived, stressed the importance of taking time for family, and I am really thankful to be a part of that type of culture.
Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? I grew up overseas where we believed that, in America, money grew on trees and that wealthy American’s don’t pay taxes. I was convinced that there must be truth to those stories so I decided to focus my education on the American economy, business and poli- tics. My end goal was to learn about how the system works and use it to help my clients take full advantage of the American Dream. Hence, soon after receiving my Master’s from Temple University (go Owls) I became a wealthmanager, a career that focuses on utilizing credit and investments to optimize generational wealth. What was the most defining moment for you in the profession you are currenly in? My defining moment was when I became a mother. Wealth management is a generational business, which means that they (or at least one of them) will work with me and eventually inherit the practice when I retire. The image of my clients and my sons ex- changing success and appreciation stories long after I am retired, changed the way I looked at what I do. It was no longer just making sure I do the job well, it became a true career . 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? Finance is a vibrant field where changes are constant and those who want to succeed have to stay ahead of the never ending learning curve. However at the same time, the actual job is simple. It is to listen and to understand client’s needs and goals, helping them figure out the right action path and educating them on best practices and solu- tions that will help them reach their short/long term needs and goals. Many women are natural listeners and educators which makes them a perfect fit for the finance world.
Lisa Madzin Vice President NAI Mertz
Rosalin Petrucci Director JG Petrucci Co, Inc.
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in? In 1986 I joined the Jackson Cross Company. At the time I was the only woman commercial Real Estate Broker in the company. Why did you choose the field/ profession you are in today? I have always had a love for basic real estate and I have enjoyed put- ting together deals and being able to manage all of the moving parts . What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2018? It’s no longer how big of a deal for me. I am currently working with a women business owner. She was trying to please everyone in her company and to do this she would have had to relocate to North Jersey. I convinced her to put herself and the company first. We are not concentrating on an office space with access to the 30th street station in Philadelphia which is her home town. How do you manage the work/ life balance? I only use my time for things that I deem important and those which support my overall goals. What unique qualities and or personality traits do you feel make you most successful in your profession? Being a critical thinker. What challenges and or obstacles do you feel you needed to over- come to become as successful as you are today? Time management and staying relative as the commercial real estate industry changes with advancing technology. 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? I believe participating in activities that you truly enjoy is key. Believe it or not, I have gotten some great leads from my Garden Club! What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young women about to go into the field? Find a firm with a great research department.
What inspiringword of advicewould you give to a youngwoman about to go into the field? It’s important to accept that real estate whether it be commer- cial or residential is always changing, as well as the generations we work with. Keeping current with the changes, not only in our immediate area, but everywhere. Why did you chose the field/profession you are in today? Over 30 years ago I met a Real Estate Broker and worked with her to find and purchase a house. She was very knowledgable and the search interested me. She suggested that I should look into getting my real estate license and I did just that. I began work- ing for her company then after getting the required experience I got my brokers license. What impact has social media/networking had on your business? Social media is important, but I do prefer meeting people and networking. What unique qualities or personality traits do you feel make you most sucessful in your profession? Getting to know and understand the needs of clients. Listening and following up is important. Tell us about your family? I am very proud of my three children and five grandchildren. They have always and continue to work and learn to be not just successful, but kind, loving and giving people.
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