2016 Women in Real Estate: Donna Zavattieri

Donna Zavattieri, Safe Harbour Real Estate Group, LLC

Name: Donna Zavattieri

Title: Managing Member

Company Name: Safe Harbour Real Estate Group, LLC

Email: [email protected] 

Years in real estate: 33

How did you get your start in real estate? I worked as an intern in 1981 in the corporate accounting department for Helmsley-Spear, Inc. at their main headquarters at 60 E. 42nd Street

What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of? Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY); Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA); National Association of Professional Women (NAPW); International Women's Leadership Association (IWLA)

Telephone: 917-750-3086

Year Founded: 2015 

URL: www.shregroup.com

What recent project or transaction are you most proud of?

The sale of nearly half billion dollars in real estate in 9/2014. Two luxury rental buildings on the Upper East Side of Manhattan that I worked as asset manager for from 2007-2014.

What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why?

Voted one of 50 women which were chosen for the Women of Influence Award in Real Estate in 2008.

Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why?

Irving Schneider, the owner of Helmsley-Spear, Inc. from 1997-2007 and the right hand to Harry Helmsley for decades. I had the privilege of working for Schneider from RE secretary until the sale of his company in 6/2007 at which time I had been promoted to executive vice president. I learned every aspect of real estate from Schneider–the art of the deal, the pulse on the industry and the stamina to the finish line.

What is the best advice you have received and who was it from?

My father Joseph Jelonek: Hard work pays off.

When you launched your business what were some challenges that you experienced?

Having been a top executive working for an owner and then becoming an owner and working back up.

How did you overcome them?

Simply put, continue being myself with a slightly different hat and taking myself a bit out of my comfort zone in working with different owners, investors, and clients.

What advice would you give to a woman who is planning to launch her own business?

Do not see yourself as a woman; simply work hard, establish your goals and try like hell to hit them!

How do you empower other women in your workplace?

I love working with young people, men and women. We learn from each other. I have a young lady Salesperson working for me now who is going to be a shining broker someday. When I can, I will always include the women in my circle at seminars and interesting venues that I am invited to so they understand the wonderful, supportive platform for females that NYC has to offer!