2021 Women in CRE: Krista Ninivaggi, Woods Bagot

Name: Krista Ninivaggi

Title: Interior Design Leader

Company Name: Woods Bagot

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
This past year, my firm k&co was merged into Wood Bagot, where I will be leading interior design for the New York studio. This is an exciting transition for me and my team who can now use the support of a bigger engine to grow our design philosophies. Also, against the odds as we were emerging from the depths of pandemic, my team was able to pull off opening two amazing projects with the same level of quality and attention as pre-pandemic. One was a retail store for the perfume brand D.S. & Durga in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The second was a multifamily building for the LeFraks in the Newport neighborhood of Jersey City called “The Beach.”

How do you contribute to your community or your profession?
For over a decade I have participated as an alumni advisor to my alma mater, The Rhode Island School of Design. Most recently I have served as the co-chair for the Alumni Mentorship Committee. My education in architecture and my career as a designer has been bolstered by a strong tradition of mentorship. I want to encourage this type of colleagueship for the current students and young alumni regardless of their focus area in art and design.

How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles?
You must remain optimistic. I believe you need to have “construction amnesia,” because if you remember how difficult the construction process is, you might not want to do it again. The process of building is demanding, it takes longer than you think, and costs a lot even if you are on budget. It’s always worth it. When it’s all complete, you have created something wonderful and new in the world that would have never existed without your hard work.

Tell us a thing or two about you that is NOT on your resume or LinkedIn profile?
In 2005, I took a week off work while I was a junior designer at David Rockwell’s office to volunteer on the assembly crew for Christo & Jeanne-Claude’s “The Gates” in Central Park.

How do you advocate for your fellow women in real estate?
It is important to execute. I feel strongly that putting my head down and getting the work done is the best way to advocate. I know not everyone has that luxury. I make sure to empower the young women I work with to have autonomy and confidence in their decision making on projects, and I back them up when they need support.

What books or social media influencers would you recommend to other women?
When I started my eponymous firm several years ago, someone personally influential to me, who came from more of an old school “big brand” finance background, told me to read the newspaper every day. I did not understand the advice at first, but I did it anyway. I started to see how trends in public opinion and policies affect day-to-day operations and project pipelines. We are probably all more cognizant of this post pandemic. To this day I keep an ear to the ground on both left and right leaning outlets for current events. It’s important to understand both sides and be up to date on what is on people’s minds!

Why should women consider a career in commercial real estate and related services?
I personally love being connected to shaping our physical world. I love making places to be, whether it’s living, working or socializing. Plus, there are so many facets to what we do, the crosspollination between industries keeps things interesting. Daily I am interfacing with other people in creative fields, finance, construction, marketing, engineering. It really takes a village to build!