2016 Women in Real Estate: Laura Greenfield

Laura Greenfield, People’s United Bank

Name: Laura Greenfield

Title: Senior Vice President

Email: [email protected] 

Years in real estate: 10

Company Name: People’s United Bank 

Year Founded: 1842 

URL: https://www.peoples.com/portal/site/peoples/

Telephone: 212-351-8205

Twitter @PeoplesUnited

How did you get your start in real estate?

I credit my husband for initially exposing me to the industry. We met in college, and after school he went into real estate finance. I quickly realized from our discussions that commercial real estate was an interesting field. Our friends would tease us that the majority of our conversations focused on commercial real estate, but it was those dialogues that peaked my interest. He encouraged me to go to real estate networking events and gave me the confidence to feel comfortable fitting into a historically male centric business. I became hooked.

What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of?

Community involvement is very important to me, and I have become active on the Steering Committee of the United Jewish Appeal’s Real Estate Executive’s group and co-chair of the Leader’s Council at the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan.

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

I am most proud of becoming a balanced working mother. Before my son’s birth, I doubted that it was possible to be driven and still have a work-life balance. Having a child was the best thing that happened to my career because it forced me to prioritize and better understand people’s needs. I credit becoming a mother to making me a better manager. Prior to becoming a parent, I was an extreme perfectionist. Although I still very much care about my work product (for my career and my family), I have also learned to give myself some slack. It is not about having it all; it is about looking at the world with two glasses half full and understanding you can be satisfied with a balance. It says a lot about an organization that understands this concept; People’s United Bank hired me when I was five months pregnant!

What have been some of the benefits of being a mentor or having a mentor?

During the 12 years I have worked in banking, I have had multiple mentors who have all been critical components in guiding me through my career. Having the right mentors is key to your success because they provide you with candid feedback about your blind spots, lead by example and discuss their weaknesses and how they overcame them so you do not make the same mistakes. These are all critical factors in your development.

I have also been a mentor to others because it is rewarding, and I feel I have an obligation because so many have taken the time to be one to me. Being able to share my experiences with others so they are well positioned early on in their careers is very fulfilling.