Laura Walker of the New York chapter of CREW Network discuss their careers and accomplishments

Name: Laura Walker Title: Senior Vice President Company/firm: Citbank Years with company/firm: 20 Years in field: 20 Years in real estate industry: 13 Address: 750 Washington Blvd - 7 Fl, Stamford, CT 06901 Telephone: (203) 975 - 6867 Email: [email protected] URL: www.Citibank.com Real estate organizations/affiliations: NYCREW, AREW, NAIOP, REFA,ACG,AHA During the last 10 years of your career, which professional accomplishment, honor or achievement was most meaningful to you and why? I have been promoted to senior vice president of the specialized Financial Intermediaries Group within Citi Commercial Bank. I have been a seven-time recipient of Citi's "Circle of Excellence Award," which is presented to Citibank's Best of the Best in each job category nationally. I have recieved this award while in both the Commercial Banking Division and previously when I was in the Residential Mortgage Division. Which project, deal or transaction was the 'game changer' in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? There have been several deals during my career which have had a tremendous positive impact. How do you contribute to your company and / or the industry? Delivering everytime to your clients, your colleagues and your network. Are you constantly providing value to all that know you? Teamwork is always a critical component of success. Whether it is within an organization or external such as being part of a Board of Directors. What advice would you give to women just starting out in commercial real estate? Network all of the time. Invest the time needed to attend the classes and the events. Get involved with various professional organizations. I'm currently a member of the national finance committee of the Commercial Real Estate Women Network, I'm on the Board of Directors of New York Commercial Real Estate Women. In 2011, I co-chaired the NYCREW Sponsorship Committee and recived the NYCREW Vanguard award. I'm actively involved with an array of organizations, including the International Council of Shopping Centers and several others. How do you manage the work/life balance? I review my 20 goals early each morning and the last thing at night. Constantly focusing on the top priorities. Ongoing commitment to time management is the key to it all. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? Having mentors and being a mentor has had a tremendous positive impact on my career. Both of these roles have generated new opportunities for me. My management and my family have been always been very support of my time commitment for my various roles. How are you using social media to promote yourself, your products and / or your firm? Everyday, I spend time using the social media to generate business and create awareness about what products and services that the firms offers. Where would you like to be 10 years from today? To have all of my 20 goals fully accomplished.