4D — October 21 - November 17, 2022 — Women in Business — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
Women in Business
Emily Bourdeau & Dana Carstens Spotlight on NFP’s Leading Women In Business
Emily Bourdeau Vice President NFP Years with company/firm: 1 Year Years in field: 12 Years Years in Real Estate Industry: 8 Years
Dana Carstens Assistant Vice President NFP Years with company/firm: 4 Months Years in field: 5 Years Years in real estate industry: 3 Years
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in: I studied sustainability and environmental studies in undergrad and grad school and first worked at a small P&C firm in New York. I then went on to get licensed as a property and casualty broker and made a connection at Aon Environmental, combining my studies and first post-grad job. I have been in the field for 12 years and now work with clients in all industries, including real estate investment trusts. What is your current position? Vice President, Environmental Practice, NFP. I lead placement within our team, which means bringing a real estate or other industry deal to the insurance mar - ketplace in order to find the best coverage and terms for our clients. Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? From a young age I have had an interest in environmental sciences and sustainability. Working in this industry allows me to help clients better manage their environmental risks and exposures by offering insurance solutions for cleanup, bodily injury and property damage. What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2021? In 2021 we placed a $25M primary pollution policy and a $50M excess quota share for a large pharmaceutical company’s divested site. The site was extremely contaminated, and we successfully negotiated a tailored pollution insurance program for the client including our key carrier partners. How do you manage the work/life balance? Work/life balance requires a level of respect and consideration from our clients and colleagues. By respecting and helping our colleagues while they are off work, we promote the same when we are taking time off. I use the tactic of leaving my computer behind when I go on a trip and asking colleagues to contact me by phone only in the case of an emergency. During times of heavy work load, occasionally working late or on weekends serves to balances out times when the work load is lighter. What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? Treating colleagues, trading partners and clients with reverence and managing expectations on deliverables bodes well for success. People want to work with those who take the time to ask them about their lives and understand the big picture goals of what we are trying to accomplish together. What outside activities do you enjoy during you free time? Spending time with my husband and son, fencing, and horseback riding. 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? Make your voice heard by asking questions and voicing your insights in meet - ings. Attend industry networking events and stay active online. MAREJ
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in : I began my career as a geologist working for an environmental consulting firm. I worked for different clients, largely real estate and oil and gas clients, doing various environmental characterization and site remediation. Eventually, I started doing insurance loss control work at the same company before moving jobs to become an environmental insurance broker. What is your current position? I’m currently an Assistant Vice President with NFP’s Environmental Practice. Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? I always knew I wanted to be in an environmental field, but I had no idea I would end up in an insurance or real estate sector. I was looking for a career where I could still use my technical background but also utilize business and networking. I think the environmental insurance industry is the perfect fit. What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? Throughout my career, I have always been very driven. I try to set a clear path with objectives to help overcome any obstacles. Second, I’m personable at work and when networking (or at least I think I am!) and I genuinely think this has contributed to my success. What challenges and or obstacles do you feel you needed to overcome to become as successful as you are today? Prior to working as a broker, I didn’t have significant insurance experience. It took me quite a while to become familiar with insurance and policy language. Being younger in the industry, I was nervous starting out that I was going to make a mistake or use the wrong terminology. I spent a lot of time familiarizing myself with the policy language. Eventually, I realized it was perfectly fine to ask for help when I needed it or didn’t understand something. Do you feel being a woman is an advantage, disadvantage or no advantage in today’s business world? Why? Why not? I’ve encountered challenges throughout my career that I feel are due to being a woman, but regardless I’m so proud to be a woman in today’s business world. I think the situation is different for every woman and can also vary across industries. What is the funniest, most unique situation you have faced / conquered during your business career? When I was an environmental consultant, I was sampling groundwater wells at a client’s site in Texas. As I was getting ready to move to the next well, 3 feral hogs popped out of the grass and started coming towards me! If you’re from Texas, you know feral hogs are no joke! Thankfully, I made it back to the car and that was one of my last days in the field. What outside activities do you enjoy during you free time? Tennis, hiking, walking my Australian shepherd Ollie! 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? Be confident and don’t be afraid to meet new people! I’ve had to step outside of my comfort zone many times over the last few years and it slowly gets easier. MAREJ
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator