Brine of Sky Management Corp.: Hard work and guidance

Name: Kelley- Marie Brine Title: Managing Partner Company Name Sky Management Corp Follow my company on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/skymgmt What year did you start your career in commercial real estate: 2002 What recent project or transaction are you most proud of? The Rose Modern is brand new, and it's our company's first development project from the ground up. It's an 82 unit, 20 story luxury apartment building located at 501 East 74th Street. The project will change the face of York Ave in the 70s, and it will bring an ultra-modern spin to a very static architectural landscape by reflecting the more modern trends that have become visible on the Upper East Side. It is incredibly exciting - something we've talked about doing since I started working here 13 years ago. Seeing it come to fruition, and being directly involved in every decision throughout the process has been both challenging and rewarding. I have learned so much at every phase, and I'm thrilled to be driving this transformation as the project comes to life. We'll open the building this fall, and it's going to be very popular! What has been your experience with having a mentor or being a mentor yourself? My Partners Ben and Jon have been mentors for me in many ways. Having been raised in the real estate business, their family gave them a lifetime of knowledge that is apparent in all they do. Ben and Jon never hesitate to pass on that knowledge, guide me, and give me more responsibility. Through hard work and their guidance, I attained my current position as partner. Another mentor I worked for early in my career was Christiana Foglio, CEO of Community Investment Strategies. In her I saw a fierce and astute business owner who went the extra mile for her clients, and stayed one step ahead of her competitors! Growing in this business and becoming a mentor is the most rewarding part of my job. Seeing other women rise to their potential and surpass my skills is something one could feel envious of, but I feel nothing but pride and share in their accomplishments. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? My mother! She was a multitasking extraordinaire -raising 5 children while working full time-simply amazing. I started working with her when I was very young. Her work ethic, conviction, and ability to cope with any given situation with a smile continues to be an inspiration for me. What is the first thing you do when you arrive in the office in the morning? My work day actually starts on the subway after I drop off my daughter at school. While surfing the 6-Train, I work my to-do lists, prioritize and try not to fall on people. When I get to the office, I touch base with my team to make sure they are having a good morning, know their priorities, and have everything they need to make a successful day happen. What time management strategies do you find to be the most effective for you? Delegation- if you are doing everything yourself you are doing it wrong. If you can teach others to do things as well as you do or even better- you are able to do more with your time and be more effective. What is the best advice you have received and who was it from? Don't work harder - work smarter. After having my first child, a dear friend and fearless business woman told me "it is not about how many hours you put in- it is what you do within those hours." List 3 women that you would like to have drinks / dinner with and where would you go? Mindy Kaling. Go to Minetta Tavern and watch her reenact the Amex commercial several times over! Melissa Pianko- I have seen her speak several times and I am always in awe of the level of passion she puts into her project. We would eat at ABC kitchen and I would watch her convince them to open a second location in Gotham West. Angela Merkel- we would go to Jacques 1534- though there is no doubt she serves up knowledge and leadership like no one else - I would still prefer to eat French food! What is your favorite quote? "The question isn't who's going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." - Ayn Rand What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be so many different things at different times: a journalist, nun, advertising executive, activist, army soldier, ballerina, poet, politician, philanthropist, CIA agent, paleontologist, actress, teacher, and world leader...or all of the above by being a writer!