Perez-Alvarado of JLL discusses first job experience

Name: Gilda Perez-Alvarado Title: Executive Vice President Company Name: Jones Lang LaSalle Years in Commercial Real Estate: 12 years In the last 12 months, which project, transaction, honor or accomplishment are you most proud of and why? Having brokered the sale of five hotels in New York YTD 2014 to off-shore investors: Novotel New York, Springhill Suites New York, InterContinental Barclay New York, Holiday Inn Express 36 Street and Residence Inn Financial District What were your biggest fears when you started out in your profession? When you start, you are fearless and think the sky is the limit. I love what I do and I see every day as an opportunity for growth. Who are three women- living or dead - that you would like to have drinks with and why? Christine Lagarde - for being the first female chairman at Baker & McKenzie, the first woman in charge of French economic policy and the first woman head of the IMF. Christiane Amanpour - for being so brave, smart and successful, and Hillary Clinton for being the woman she is and for her ambition. What was your first job and what did you learn from it? Teaching assistant at Cornell University during my undergrad. I learned that there is no better way to master what you do than be able to teach it to others. What is your favorite quote? "The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud." - Coco Chanel. What social media and/or face to face networking activities do you find most beneficial professionally? One on one meetings and roadshows. What are you doing differently in 2014 that has had positive impact on your career? Heading JLL's Global Hotel Desk for the Americas. There is nothing I love more about my job than its global angle. What are you doing to increase your client base from local / regional markets to national / global markets? Attending global conferences, going on international road shows, and helping off-shore investors secure assets in the US.