Patrice Hayden Meagher, CBREName: Patrice Hayden Meagher
Title: Senior Vice President
Company Name: CBRE, Inc.
Email: [email protected]
Years in real estate: 12
Telephone: 212.984.7112
How did you get your start in real estate?
I come from a long line of commercial real estate brokers/developers in Philadelphia. I started my career in nonprofit, but made the switch to commercial real estate about three years out of college. I began my career working for an owner/developer of value add assets in Philadelphia – the sales team was responsible for acquisitions, leasing and dispositions of real estate owned and operated by the firm. It was a tremendous place to start my career in that I learned cradle to grave how to buy, lease up and sell undervalued real estate. From there, I moved to NYC to continue my career as a representative of a variety of commercial real estate owners throughout the city.
What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why?
I was chosen as mentor of the year in 2015 – this award meant a lot to me because commercial real estate is an industry where historically there are little to no women that are successful (which is funny because many of the most successful people in NYC real estate happen to be women). I helped to develop and implement the Women’s Network for CBRE’s tristate offices so being honored as a mentor of the year was very significant for me.
Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why?
My father has been the strongest influence in my career. He started his career in brokerage and is ending it on the Ownership side of Real Estate. While we have never worked together (I happen to be the only one out of his five children that has not worked for him now or at some point), he has consistently been a sounding board for me as I have navigated this difficult industry. He has also endured tremendous adversity as he has been sick for almost half of his life – through his illness he has never complained and he has always stayed the course of succeeding to the next level. He says we should never retire and never give our children money – this way we are always working towards success and laying the groundwork for our children to find their own success.
What is the best advice you have received and who was it from?
The best advice I received on life and career as a working mom was that there are only two important decisions you make in your life – 1. What you do for a living and 2. Who you marry or partner with – in that order. (Although, the person who told me that said that advice is typically meant for men – what a surprise). He said that both of these decisions will dramatically impact the outcome of the other - i.e. if you hate your profession it will negatively impact your personal relationships or how you work outside of the office, and secondly if you are not supported by a partner that has similar goals and aspirations for you it will negatively impact your career. I have been fortunate to find a profession in which I love the excitement and more importantly a partner in my husband who helps me to live a balanced and organized life (with three kids at home and one on the way) so I can pursue all I want in my career. It’s funny that the person who gave me this advice said it is mostly for men because I think it is more relevant for a working woman who also wants to be a mother. If you are going to spend time away from your family it better be for a job that makes you happy and helps you support your family.
Sign up is quick, easy, & FREE.