2016 Women in Real Estate: Sonya Verny

Sonya Verny, Serraview

Title: VP of Business Development

Company Name: Serraview, www.serraview.com

Email: [email protected] 

Years in real estate: 6

Telephone: 215.360.8990

How did you get your start in real estate?

Networking

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

CoreNet and IFMA

What recent project or transaction are you most proud of?

Two and a half years ago, I started the initiative of interviewing Real Estate and Facilities Management professionals for the IFMA NYC chapter newsletter. I wanted a place where people can go and learn more about the industry and potentially inspire others to join the CRE and FM world. The interviews give my interviewees a platform to speak about how they got into the industry, successes, challenges and lessons learned. I have interviewed over 35 professionals to date. Here is a link to my interviews: http://www.ifmanyc.org/fm-spotlight/

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

My passion is raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with the Kids for Kids Committee. I have served on the Kids for Kids Committee board for the past 5 years and since its inception, the Kids for Kids Foundation has raised over $5.5 million for kids and families battling catastrophic diseases. In 2014, The Kids for Kids Foundation raised over $1 million at the 6th annual Family Fun Day at Aviator Sports Center. One year later, at the 7th annual Family Fun Day, Kids for Kids broke its fundraising record by raising $1,062,193. Our committee has been honored with the St Jude’s Volunteer Group of the Year Award.

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

I have been fortunate enough to have many mentors throughout my career. Some of them have shared lessons learned along the way through their past experiences while others provided valuable feedback that has enabled me to experience personal growth.

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

Denise Ngeow, Director, Head of Facilities Services Americas at Credit Suisse encouraged me to first join the New York City Chapter of CoreNet 6 years ago when I first came to NYC and started my career in Real Estate. Fast forward to today, I am in a leadership position chairing the New York City CoreNet MeetUp Committee and co-chairing the Philadelphia CoreNet Special Events Committee.

What time management strategies do you find to be the most effective for you?

I make to do lists every night – something that helps me plan and prioritize for the next day. Every evening, I look at the current day’s lists, see what I have accomplished and make a new list. This helps me stay focused and organized. You only have so many hours in the day and time is valuable.

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

Jamie Lawless, COO of Baker & McKenzie gave me one of the best pieces of advice shortly after I closed the biggest deal in my then company’s history. She said “Don’t rest on your laurels. Continue challenging yourself and become the best you can be.”